What are you listening to?

[Kiba.]

Originally Posted by STFUDonny

I completely agree that Reznor peaked with The Fragile, though I would argue that he has continued to produce exellent and intersting music (check out Year Zero, it surpasses With Teeth by far). He has simply matured over time, as all good musicians do.

Excuse the delayed reply to this. I bought Year Zero when it came out, listened to it and gave it a while but it never truly grew on me. All the expected tricks and complexity of sound were there, the driving rhythms, the whispered or shouted vocals but it felt to me to be missing genuine passion and inspiration. For the first time, even after repeat listens the album gave a samey vibe through the tracks which is something that hadn't happened before. The only track which really stood out for me was This Twilight. After that I lost interest for a while, until Ghosts came out. I think Reznor expresses himself better in instrumental work these days. As for the 'How to Destroy Angels' project with his wife, can't get into that at all.

I'd have to say With Teeth remains his last solid work [as an NIN release with vocals], the last album which seems to have absolute conviction and memorable tracks which aren't in danger of blurring into each other. Just my opinion.

[STFUDonny]

Yeah, i agree that Reznors later instrumental work has surpassed the later song based albums. Though I think the intrumental tracks have always stood out above the rest. The Fragile, for example features by far the best collection of NIN instrumenals. Can't say i've heard 'How To Destroy angels', I may have to check it out.

[Kiba.]

Originally Posted by STFUDonny

Yeah, i agree that Reznors later instrumental work has surpassed the later song based albums. Though I think the intrumental tracks have always stood out above the rest. The Fragile, for example features by far the best collection of NIN instrumenals.

Agreed. If you haven't already scoped it you should get 'Still', the EP which was released along with 'And All that Could Have Been'. It can be purchased on its own, which is what I did. It's well worth having as it contains stripped down versions of some great NIN tracks and some previously unreleased material, some of which is instrumental.
If you already have it you'll know how brilliant it is.

Can't say i've heard 'How To Destroy angels', I may have to check it out.

Here's a vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWbfgGDl6XE

It's like NIN lite with a chick crooning over it.

[Ancient One]

I think With Teeth was always intended as a statement album. Shortly after its release Reznor declared his withdrawal from touring and performing live music declaring an intention to explore a more diverse and instrumental side. He has achieved this through several film scores and has produced some great music. In my mind though he should return to his roots and release another album along the lines of Pretty Hate Machine or The Downward Spiral which to me remain his best work.

[morris]

Originally Posted by Ancient One

In my mind though he should return to his roots and release another album along the lines of Pretty Hate Machine or The Downward Spiral which to me remain his best work.

He can't though, he just can't. The reason those two albums were so good, specially the ingenious Spiral was that they were full of sincere anger, fear, lust, self-hate and insecurity and everything that makes for gutsy gritty angst. Reznor was then a young man railing against the establishment, ex-lovers, himself and the whole damn world.
Now he's a middle aged married man with a kid, and he's just won an Oscar. He IS the establishment now, so anything like those albums would smack of fakeness and be a terrible lie. That's why it wouldn't work. They're great albums but they are products of their time.

I'm not saying getting older means you can't still be passionate and creative,...but in that kind of band, what NIN were, it would start to look pathetic if TR was still standing there looking chubby and screaming his guts out about this that and the other. He's got to have some dignity.

Pretty Hate Machine has just been remastered I hear.

[Ancient One]

and be a terrible lie.

Ouch, you should be ashamed of that (clever though )

I can understand what youre saying though and unfourtunately agree with everything you said. Its just a shame that such genius is not to be repeated.
I want more old skool NIN ( Im Goth sue me)

[Ancient One]

Anyway, on a different note. Im off to see Devilish Presley and Ghostfire in concert with two gorgeous lady friends
Don't you wish you had my life .

[morris]

Originally Posted by Ancient One

Ouch, you should be ashamed of that )

I know, but it had to be done. Re: old skool NIN, aye it is a shame such genius is not to be repeated but I guess that part of genius is being rare and non-repeatable (if only Hollywood would take note).

Originally Posted by Ancient One

Anyway, on a different note. Im off to see Devilish Presley and Ghostfire in concert with two gorgeous lady friends

Nice for some Have a good time mate

[STFUDonny]

Cheers for the link kiba, it sounds good. Ambient and moody in a Massive Attack kind of way, i like it. 'Still' is an awesome recommendation also, the 'bare bones' versions are good but the actual 'And All That Could Have Been' track is worth the price of the CD alone. One of my fave NIN's songs and not available on any other release (i dont think).

Morris, i have to agree with you entirerly. It is a shame that they'll never be another album like 'The Downward Spiral' (from Reznor or anyone else), but that itself is testament to its sincerity. If he were to atempt anything like it today (which clearly he wouldn't) it would be a just be a falsity.

I am however excited about Reznors new direction, we all have to grow up sometime I guess. I just hope that with so many future scoring projects on the horizon (Abe Lincon: Vampire Hunter and the Fincher Millenium trilogy), it doesnt grow tired.

[STFUDonny]

The Joy Formidable - Big Roar

I seem to remember Ancient mentioning this album a while back and ive only just caught on. Its great. A fantastic album thats reminiscent of the good ol' 90's Sub-Pop era. Whirring and Buey are stand-outs at the moment but thats likely to shift after a few more listens.