- "Sometime over the last decade, music that is intrinsically meant to be menacing (i.e. Nine Inch Nails) has become a banal syndicated- action hour soundtrack. It's easy to imagine the overproduced grind of "The Wretched" blaring through a TV screen as Nightman kicks a henchman off a roof. This stuff could be the score to "The Crow 4: In Space." And this time around, Trent has unanimously failed to shock anyone above the age of 15 and under the age of 54. I mean, have you listened to old Judas Priest lately? Now, this is not to say music must be confrontational, although the best of it typically is. However, in a pop society that has become numb to industrial sounds through ESPN2 and Surge commercials, it's no longer interesting or tolerable to base one's entire output on volume and amplified cliches."
(But, really. are the people at Pitchfork ever happy?)
So, now in 2005, Trent Reznor is ready to release the follow-up to The Fragile, entitled With Teeth. Gone is the two-disc opus with movement-like sections, but the environment is more confused than ever. With the advent of ITunes, IPods, and the further degeneration of rock radio and MTV it is difficult (dare I say impossible) to predict what will happen with anything that is released nowadays.
The internet has become more powerful, and while there have been great stories of success infused with help from the internet, like Wilco finding themselves a success and the continuing saga of Fiona Apple's unreleased disc, but not including the internet-born William Hung debacle, we have yet to see a serious musical success outside of hip hop in this newest iteration of music culture. Certainly it is tough to think of anything that approached the level of success reached by The Downward Spiral.
So as the release date, May 3rd approaches, we will have to see if Trent Reznor can appeal on the wide level above and beyond his core party of fans who think in terms of halos.
This first appeared at FILTERINGCRAIG.COM
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.