Two seminal ‘90s albums are being re-released in the fancy 20th anniversary boxed set editions this fall: U2’s Achtung Baby and Nirvana’s Nevermind. Each set will be released in multiple configurations, from the basic 2 CD versions aimed at the average listener to humongous limited-run editions, complete with extra CDs, DVDs and assorted gee-gaws (see below). Not sure which to spend your hard-earned cash on? Check out this quick comparison.
| Achtung Baby | Nevermind | |
| Band | U2 | Nirvana |
| Originally Released | November 19, 1991 | September 24, 1991 |
| Other albums released on the same day | Luis Miguel’s Romance, Talk Talk’s Laughing Stock, The Yngwie Malmsteen Collection |
Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Blood Sugar Sex Magik, A Tribe Called Quest’s The Low End Theory, Status Quo’s Rock ‘til You Drop |
| What did it mean? | The most earnest band in rock discovered irony | Fame-averse loners from the Pacific Northwest become the kings of popular radio |
| On the cover | Bono in make-up, a nude Adam Clayton, a phallic snake | A swimming pool, a nude baby and a dollar bill |
| Hit song | “One” – An endlessly-covered ballad about a torturous relationship | “Smells Like Teen Spirit”—a throat-tearing anthem about… uh…something about an albino? |
| Recorded in | Berlin at the end of the Cold War—specifically a ballroom once used by the S.S. | Los Angeles at the end of the hair metal era—specifically a studio once used by Dio and Ratt |
| Inspired by | Europe (the continent), and all the electronic dance music being made there. | Europe (the band), who were staying next door to Nirvana’s hotel and were the constant butt of Cobain and co.’s jokes |
| Fashion Accessories | Jackie O sunglasses and leather pants | Torn jeans, thermal underwear and indie-rock t-shirts |
| Drug of Choice | Guinness | Heroin |
| Unfortunate After-Effect of Album Success | U2 spent the next nine years trying to be funny | Hundreds of rock bands spent the next nine years trying to be miserable |
| Critical Pan | “An ambitious failure” – Jim Greer in Spin | "The band has little or nothing to say, settling for moronic ramblings by singer-lyricist Cobain." – Steve Morse in The Boston Globe |
| Crazy Girlfriend | Cell phone-throwing supermodel Naomi Campbell, who was engaged to bassist Adam Clayton not long after the album came out. | Rumor has it, if we even mention her name, she will appear out of nowhere and devour our souls. |
| Most Over-the-Top Box Set Available | The Uber Deluxe Edition: six CDs, four DVDs, five 7-inch and two 12-inch vinyl records, 16 art prints taken from the original album sleeve, an 84-page hardback book, a copy of Propaganda magazine, four badges, a sticker sheet, and a pair of Bono's "The Fly" sunglasses. A bargain on Amazon for only $478.38 | The Super Deluxe Edition: 4 CDs -- including demos and the never-before-heard “Butch Vig mix”-- and 1 DVD, plus a 90 page book with rare photos and documents. A total steal at $110 |