NINE INCH NAILS
"Ghosts" (Self-released; 2008)
Reviewed by Snidermann
Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails fame has once again stretched the limits of heavy music. With "Ghosts," Reznor allows the listener to choose the level of recording they want: You can download nine songs for free, 36 songs (plus artwork) for $5.00 (I picked that one), a two-CD set for $10.00, a deluxe edition for $75.00 and an ultra-deluxe, limited edition, signed package for $300. What a truly genius marketing plan!
As for the music, each track is entitled "Ghosts" and each has a movement and number. I now have thirty-six songs named "Ghost" on my iPod. Each cut is a look into the inner workings of Reznor and friends. The songs are dark and twisted images and each one could be and should be listened to in a darkened mansion with candles and wind blowing in the background.
Oh, by the way, did I mention they are all instrumental pieces? That in no way detracts from the overall coolness of this recording. There is more than enough here to allow you to sit back and let the music take you on a trip.
So, what can I possibly say about this recording that has not been said already? Okay. Here goes: If this music were not so sinister, perverse and darkly original, it would not be Nine Inch Nails.
For more information, check out http://www.nin.com.
"Live.
And All That Could Have Been" (Nothing; 2002)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Okay. In most cases you don't want to pick up a live CD that has the following words proudly inscribed inside its cover: "All audio was edited, assembled and manipulated on Macintosh Apple computers using DigiDesign's ProTools software." ProTools is a great software program but, In most cases, you want a live CD to be as pure and as true to the live performance as possible. You don't want a bunch of in-studio mucking about after the original performance has been captured on tape. You want the show you saw - mistakes and all.
With the complex, industrial music of Nine Inch Nails, that in-studio tweaking seems to work just fine. This CD, captured during the band's recent tour, is a full-on, NIN experience that surprises you with its full sound and riveting performances. The music here isn't only tight and explosive, it's crystal clear and dynamic.
Containing 16 tracks and running at just over 74 minutes, "Live. And All That Could Have Been" is a fine document of a NIN concert as well as a unique recorded event that stands on its own. If you've never heard NIN, this might be a good CD to start out with.
Also offered via a CD insert is a second CD, "Still," that the record company calls "a special-edition companion CD." "Still" contains "deconstructed" performances of several Nine Inch Nails songs and unreleased new tracks. To order, visit http://www.nin.com/still.
Nine Inch Nails: Trent Reznor; Danny Lohner; Jerome Dillon; Charlie Clouser; Robin Finck.
For more information, check out http://www.nin.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2008 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 23 Oct 2008 01:41:23 -0500.
