Here’s a Piece of Album Sales News That Got Lost in the Adele Hype (Hint: Think Nirvana)

While we’re awaiting the final first-week sales tally for Adele’s 25 album, an interesting piece of news got lost in the hype. Remember Kurt Cobain’s “solo album,” Montage of Heck? How is it doing? Shouldn’t there be a lot of interest in this new (well, new to us) material from one of the biggest rock icons of the last 30 years?

The answer: not well.

In Canada, Montage of Heck debuted at #37, selling just 1,200 copies. In the US, the situation was even worse where it debuted at #68 with total sales of 4,900 units. That’s in a country of 320 million people.

Maybe things will improve when the vinyl version is released next Friday. Doubt it, though.

If we’re honest, Montage of Heck is not very good–as least when we’re talking about the standard CD release. It’s little more than song scraps and half-realized demos interrupted by a couple of full (albeit lo-fi) performances.  While it serves as an important document of Kurt’s life as a songwriter, it ain’t a Nirvana record. Not by a long shot.

Should you buy it? If you’re a Nirvana fan, yes. And if you can afford it, go for the deluxe box set. At least it comes with the Montage of Heck documentary (which is very good) and a 160-page hardbound book.