Self-deprecation is worth its weight in smoldering phoenix-ashes and baby unicorn tears.

I don't try to keep it hidden anymore - I'm an unabashed Nine Inch Nails fan.  I have been since 'The Downward Spiral' came out back in 1994.

I still hold 1999's 'The Fragile' to be one of my Top Ten Albums of All-Time.

And then Trent Reznor disappeared off the face of the earth for years, only to resurface in late 2005 with 'With Teeth', which while I wasn't a huge fan initially, is the album I probably listen to the most right now.  He followed that up in 2007 with 'Year Zero', a triumphant return to beat-driven NIN music that blew my ears away.

But earlier this year he put out an instrumental album (36 tracks!) called 'Ghosts I-IV' which is pretty awesome.  It's not earth-shatteringly inventive, but it's a cool footnote in the NIN catalog.  The cool thing was the way he released it - digitally, with the first 1/4 free and the other 3/4 available for the ridiculous price of like four bucks.

I ponied up and purchased the whole set, if only to support the way he's releasing things now.  But it was worth my money.

Today I heard that yes, there's ANOTHER new NIN album, which Trent put on the website yesterday.  It's completely free this time, available for download right now.  So if you're into NIN or industrial music at all, go over to NIN's website and check it out.

I'll be back and commenting after listening to it a couple of times to give my impressions.  So far (I'm only three tracks in) it's pretty . . . raw.

Anyway.  Back to your scheduled drivel on this site.


Comments
on May 06, 2008

I forgot to mention, the new album is called 'The Slip'.

Yeah, babeh.

on May 06, 2008
After one listen - me likey.

Like they did with 'Ghosts I-IV', each track has a different picture associated with it, which makes using a player with 'album cover' view almost a necessity.

It starts out raw, heavy, loud, and brash, and seems to mellow. There are two instrumental tracks that seem to invoke the feeling of 'Ghosts' while still conjuring new melodies.

I'll let you know more after a few more listens.

But it was FREE, people. How cool is Trent Reznor?

SO cool.
on May 06, 2008

 How cool is Trent Reznor?

SO cool.

Because he was born in Ohio. Most people born in Ohio are cool. Even people who have lived there are cool. Examples just from JU are: Me, Zoo, me, Loca, me, Tova, me, Whip and of course me. I'm sure I'm missing somebody else but it's cool.

on May 06, 2008

Wow... I'm downloading it right now in Flac

on May 06, 2008

Yep, downloaded it yesterday.  Haven't had time to listen, but I will.  It has, though, sparked the beginnings of a new article for me. 

on May 06, 2008
It has, though, sparked the beginnings of a new article for me.


'Bout time. I'd love to see you around more often, brother.
on May 07, 2008

Huh.  I'm sure you'll send it to me, so I guess I'll check it out. 

on May 07, 2008

I really liked 'Pretty Hate Machine' and 'The Downward Spiral'.  A girlfriend had 'Fragile', so I got to hear it a lot too.  But after that, I never got anything more he released.

I will download this and let you know what I think.  Thanks for pointing it out.  And yes, he IS cool for doing this.

Most people born in Ohio are cool. Even people who have lived there are cool. Examples just from JU are: Me, Zoo, me, Loca, me, Tova, me, Whip and of course me.

And they're modest too, I've noticed.

on May 09, 2008
Hey, downloaded this and am really impressed with it except for the indulgent noise sculpture in the middle of it but I kind of expected at least one track to be like this. The rest is great, both musically and lyrically.

Again, thanks for pointing it out.
on May 09, 2008
Hey, downloaded this and am really impressed with it except for the indulgent noise sculpture in the middle of it but I kind of expected at least one track to be like this. The rest is great, both musically and lyrically.


If you like the music and lyrics and not so much the soundscape stuff, check out [With_Teeth] sometime. As I mentioned, it took me awhile to get into it, but it's probably the Nine Inch Nails album that I listen to the most right now. All meaty - no fluff.