[4] However, the band was disappointed when they discovered that the albums would be released on the newly created Geffen sub-label, DGC Records.

[6] Preceding the mainstream breakthrough of alternative rock and grunge, the band toured Europe again in late summer 1991 with Nirvana, Dinosaur Jr, Babes in Toyland and Gumball.

[9] On the album's sound, Pitchfork would later opine that "they weren't entirely catering to the new ears Nirvana's success was sending their way", but "were at least taking it into consideration on a semi-conscious level".

[10] During his first meeting with the group, Vig told the band that he wanted to tighten the song arrangements and focus on crafting the guitar sounds.

Vig was pleased with the material but also uncertain about how to handle it, as the tapes consisted of long instrumentals with unclear song structures.

[11] Vig moved to New York City for three months in early 1992 and the band began recording the album at the Magic Shop in March.

[15][16] The next song, "Swimsuit Issue", is about a then-current Geffen employee who was remanded to therapy for sexual harassment, hence the lyrics "Don't touch my breast, I'm just working at my desk."

[19] "Chapel Hill," one of the first songs written for the album, is about the murder of Internationalist Books owner Bob Sheldon in Carrboro, North Carolina.

[20] The front cover of the album, a photograph taken by Gordon's longtime friend Mike Kelley, depicted an orange stuffed toy with Sonic Youth written down the sides.

Some versions of the CD have a "dirty picture" of Bob Flanagan and Sheree Rose defiling stuffed toys while naked.

[8] Prior to the album's release, Sonic Youth undertook a short Northeast tour in which most of Dirty was premiered.

In November and December, they toured Europe, also appearing on Later with Jools Holland to perform "Drunken Butterfly", "Sugar Kane" and "JC".

Entertainment Weekly praised the album, calling it "possibly the finest hour (59 minutes, actually) from this New York noise & roll band.

[30] Rolling Stone opined that Dirty "easily rank[s] with Daydream Nation and Sister" as "the band's most unified and unforgettable recorded works".

[36] AllMusic would later call it "a damn good rock album, and on those terms it ranks with Sonic Youth's best work".

Much of the video footage was shot by Jonze while riding on a skateboard, following others in the streets (including then-skateboarder, now-actor Jason Lee).

The video was shot in the concrete flood control channel of the Los Angeles River with the band playing while FMX bikers ride around.

Imagery of fascism, Nazism and communism was spliced into the video, plus an insurrection mixed with pictures of punk bands and fashion.

The video was shot in New York City and portrayed Sonic Youth performing in the midst of a fashion show that showcased "grunge" clothing.

The fifth (for "Swimsuit Issue", which featured shirtless men smoking together in a room listening to Dirty) and sixth (for "Nic Fit", showing someone running around in a field holding up a flaming stuffed animal) videos stemmed from the same contest.