It has been quite a long time since Trent Reznor and his moniker Nine Inch Nails had a proper release. In fact, The Fragile was released in September of 1999. All the die hard Nine Inch Nails fans remember that release without any problem, but it is impossible to ignore the fact that it was largely ignored in the music mainstream, at least compared to the level of attention and success that was reached with The Downward Spiral as measured by radio airplay and videos. Not all could be blamed on the music as The Fragile was as intense and beautiful as all the other NIN releases, if a bit different and (gasp) mature.
The climate had changed in 1999 since The Downward Spiral blew a generation of kids' real and imagined wounds wide open with Reznor's brand of self loathing and confusion in 1994. On top of the fact that Reznor packaged his artistic triumph in the less commercially viable form-factor of a two-disc set, the odds were stacked against him as Napster had opened the world up to many new types of music. Modern rock radio had become as limited and formulaic as Carrot Top's stand-up. A video as cool as Closer might have been produced, but who would have seen it at 4:17 AM on MTV2?
Not that a whole lot of people listen to the critics, but some were still on board.
Rolling Stone said of The Fragile
- ". . . Trent comes on like an avenging disco godfather returned for the big payback. The Fragile is his version of Pink Floyd's The Wall, a double album that vents his alienation and misery into paranoid studio hallucinations, each track crammed with overdubs until there's no breathing room. The stun-volume guitar riffs, intricate synth squeals and interlocking drum-machine patterns flow together as a two-hour bubble bath in the sewer of Trent's soul. . ."
Not all the critics were believers, like Brent DiCrescenzo at Pitchforkmedia.com. His review speaks almost as much to the environment as it does to the music on NIN's release.
Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
I've got With Teeth (and will be preparing a review soon) and can happily say that it completely and totally blows away The Fragile. Trent's managed to strip back the layers for something much more natural sounding (yes, hard to believe) and more along the raw lines of Broken than anything else he's done, but with an attempt at a grand statement like The Downward Spiral. Is it successful? It's not Sprial, but it's a much more worthy follow up than The Fragile was.
2 - Craig Lyndall
yeah, we will have to see. I just got With Teeth last night and need to listen to it at least a few more times.
I will go on record as saying that I really loved The Fragile a lot. I thought it was one of the most under-rated records of that year.
It was certainly different than Spiral, but still a very complete work in its own right.
3 - Crazy Jane
I've peeked, too, (though everyone should know that I hereby swear to rush out and buy it the minute it's available) and With Teeth is rich and gorgeous - loaded, as ever, with Reznor's special genius for almost literary sound, but this time, with a real sense of evolution instead of another round with the same old angst.
Pitting a whisper against a scream, and the notion of a divided self have always been a hallmark of Reznor's songwriting, and all of that is back - for the hardcore types, this new effort has a few good pounders - but there's a gentleness and warmth that prevades it that isn't, as in prior recordings, the coy come-on before he rips your head off, but a kind of stable self-awareness that feels like the elemental thing. Reznor's voice is as emotionally expressive as ever, though somehow clearer, and there's a sense of joy in using it that I have never heard on a Nine Inch Nails record.
The Downward Spiral was a great cd, undeniably full of something powerful, real, and despite it's violence, strangely positive. It gave us a riveting picture of focused will - strong enough to break everything that couldn't withstand it. Nine Inch Nails has never been a nihilistic venture, and if The Downward Spiral was destructive, it was also an incredibly impressive creative accomplishment, that in the end, felt like it promised transformation.
The Fragile is a beautiful, sad, and shattering record of psychological impasse, and it could not make good on that promise, but With Teeth does. As much as Reznor's prior work has been loaded with self-loathing and destruction, this one is packed with self-love and resurgence, and I mean that in the least ironic, least icky way possible. It offers the aesthetic satisfaction of a narrative put to rights, and it's a beautiful record. For the first time in his career, I think Trent Reznor has built himself an open road. I can't wait to see what happens next.
4 - Craig Lyndall
Beautifully said Crazy Jane. I, like you, will do my part and buy the album when it comes out. My MP3 consumption is limited to reviewing and previewing music. If I am "adding it to my collection" I will be sure to pay for it.
5 - Darrell
I don’t think any hardcore NIN fan could resist hearing the album early, just as I’m sure that each of us still plans to buy it. Personally, I can’t wait to purchase the 5.1 surround sound version. I’ve read a lot of opinions about the album, here’s my two cents: It’s more like “PHM” than any other NIN album; more song-centered and less album-centered. With that in mind, it’s a great collection of songs. Only “Love Is Not Enough” and “Only” will need time to grow on me, the other tracks were instantly accessible. It’ll be my album of the year, no question. Of course, “The Fragile” was my album of the year for three straight years. “With Teeth” can’t compare to “The Fragile,” Reznor’s best, most complex and most demanding album yet… but it’s still a great collection and I’m sure I’ll wear out several copies.
6 - Zaldor
Very good review Craig - And if I wasn't busy all weekend, I would have got a 'preview' copy of it too... now I know what I need to do tonight ;) I've got a copy already on pre-order, and heard the CD at the listening party - and I agree, it's more like PHM than Fragile or Broken... I think after a few listens, it'll grow on me
7 - nightlife
I am listening to the With Teeth feed on myspace.com. I'm happy with what I've heard. I especially love All The Love In The World, Every Day Is Exactly The Same (the lyrics put a HUGE smile on my face), and Beside You In Time.
8 - glass
with teeth was great(although that's a great bias since all things remotely connected to nin is spectacular in my book). however i'd have to disagree with the majority who puts it above the fragile.
the only reason why the fragile was ignored was that it was too long for the average music-listener weaned in disposable one-hit singles, MTV and iPOD. it was a near-perfect concept album that dared to even stray from the straight-out aggression of earlier nin releases. it was a good prog-textured album that was ignored by die-hard fans of prog/guitar rock and the by-the-book-synthesizer-loving fans of "industrial". which is a shame because the album really works.
still, "right where it belongs" from with teeth is one hell of a kickass tune i have heard in a long time.