As an anniversary tribute, many of the bands in Toronto’s music scene have teamed up to cover Nirvana’s In Utero in full, and are releasing it as a free download via Hand Drawn Dracula. In a note accompanying the album, the bands explained that despite playing very different kinds of music, they all felt connected through Nirvana, and that spirit really comes through on here. In between Breeze’s autumnal and psychedelic opening cover of “Serve The Servants” and Wooden Sky’s “All Apologies” (the cover that acted as the catalyst for the whole project) you’ll find a huge spread of styles and approaches to covering this band. There’s Greys’ supremely catchy anxiety-attack via “Scentless Apprentice,” Fresh Snow and Julie Fader turn “Francis Farmer…” into a minimalist synth driven beauty, but possibly best of all is Ostrich Turning’s feedback-drenched and nearly 7-minute version of “Rape Me.” In addition to the album they even get some bonus tracks in. This compilation is very much worth your time, and is a far better way to honor In Utero’s anniversary than just another expensive reissue.

Download it at handdrawndracula.com