- The two guitars picking the same part on the verses of "Come As You Are" are far more discernible as separate instruments on the downmix; on the CD mix, they're largely just one "sound" in the rough center of the stereo image. They're also much louder over the vocal in the CD mix, while their panning in the downmix allows them to be more equal. (This holds true with the solo, where the rhythm is still clearly audible in the downmix and buried in the CD mix.)
- The accordion on "Jesus Don't Want Me for a Sunbeam" is like Raw Power levels of front and center on the CD mix. It's actually probably the worst mixing decision on the entire CD. Seriously, it fuckin blares. It's more gently tucked in the right ear on the downmix.
- The third verse on "Sunbeam" is incredibly desolate and gentle on the downmix. It really makes a difference when the band re-enters.
- The entire flow of the dialogue between "The Man Who Sold the World" and "Pennyroyal Tea" is changed on the CD for...time constraints I guess. Dave's response to Kurt asking if he'll do the song solo was actually to ask which song was next, not "do it by yourself". Not immediately, at least.
- "Pennyroyal Tea" and "On a Plain" seem to run much faster on the CD than the downmix as compared to most of the other songs on the album.
- Dave's hi-hat groove on "Dumb" is much more audible and clear on the downmix.
- I could do with more cello on "Dumb". It's just gentle in the left ear on the downmix. It's a shame, because otherwise, it sounds a lot more natural than the CD mix.
- "The reason we didn't want to play these two songs in a row is because they're exactly the same song." This man is a riot.
- I was thinking the more rocking tracks would probably benefit the most from the sweetening that the CD got, but no, I still prefer the downmix "On a Plain". The CD is mostly drum, Kurt's guitar, and Kurt's vocal pushed to the top of the heap, while it's a lot more even and natural on the downmix. It's like the difference between a hot mono radio mix and a stereo mix on a Japanese pressing or something.
- Weirdly, Dave's backing vocal on "On a Plain" seems to be more obvious on the CD version. Specifically in the bridge; it's almost as loud as Kurt's lead.
- The cello on "Something in the Way" is the second-worst mixing decision on the CD. Foghorn time. Like "Dumb", it's instead not very audible on the downmix, least on my computer speakers and my headphones. On my big speakers, it cuts through nicely.
- The bit on "Sweet Home Alabama" reminds me a lot of Alice in Chains riffing on "Battery" during their unplugged. Both are fuckin awesome.
- "Plateau" is the first time I really prefer the CD mix. The downmix doesn't have enough snare in it, not punchy enough for my tastes. Guess the fact that there's two extra guitarists on stage lends itself to a louder mixing style.
- You can also hear Kurt clearing his throat when he strains for the really low notes on "Plateau"'s verses in the downmixes. I think that's a neat little detail.
- Kurt's humming on "Plateau"'s outro is much, much more audible on the downmix as compared to the CD.
- They gave me my snare back on "Oh, Me". Much appreciated, mix guy. Still, think I might give it to the CD mix. Think the reverb makes the song sound a bit prettier and poignant. The downmix feels empty no matter how I listen to it. (Of course, it might just be that "Oh, Me" is one of my favorites on the CD and I'm very used to how it sounds.)
- Ooh, the downmix "Lake of Fire" is lovely! Groovy and more natural, but still very solemn and kinda epic. Again, the CD just sounds cooked next to it. The only one of the Meat Puppets tracks to make out better in the downmix than the CD.
- Whoever called for "Marigold" when Kurt asked for requests is my hero. Also, "How are we supposed to play "In Bloom" acoustically?" Least Dave and Krist were game.
- Some panning differences on "All Apologies"' guitar intro. It's center on the CD and in the left ear on the downmix. Definitely less trickery with the downmix, but you knew that by now.
- "All Apologies" and "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" especially suffer from Cooked CD Syndrome. Whoever they had on CD duty couldn't mix cellos and accordions without making them absurdly loud, and for the latter song, it just seems more artificially smashed? Hard to explain. Have yet to decide my demo songs, as of writing this, so maybe this'll be one.
- Dave was really pushing for "Sliver". Wise choice by Kurt, as that song sucks. (And someone called for "Jeremy"! That's fucking FUNNY.)