Nine Inch Nails New Album, "Hesitation Marks" Available on 9/3/13

[Third Eye]

I've been a NIN fan since 7th or 8th grade when I first heard Pretty Hate Machine. Like many others, I wasn't exactly blown away by the last several releases before the hiatus, but it was still NIN and I still went to the live shows.

Now it's probably my fault, but I totally bought into all the hype over the last few months about how Trent was taking NIN in an entirely new direction. While everyone likes to talk about The Social Network, I was privately hoping for something a little more ambient and atmospheric like his work on Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Add in the Belew factor (if you've never seen the Talking Heads live in Rome, do it now. It's on YouTube in its entirety) and I was properly excited.

Then this week happened. Damn it! Suffice it to say, my expectations have been tempered. The new single isn't terrible, it just isn't great either, and it certainly doesn't differentiate itself from latter day NIN. I'm not panicking yet, even The Fragile had Star****ers. However, if this is the lead single, I'm not exactly filled with hope.

As an aside: Dane, with your inside knowledge, any idea why Tapeworm never happened? I've always assumed it was a case of too many chiefs and not enough indians, but Maynard seemed to genuinely like the material considering the APC and Puscifer versions of Tapeworm songs.

[rico]

Originally Posted by Third Eye

I've been a NIN fan since 7th or 8th grade when I first heard Pretty Hate Machine. Like many others, I wasn't exactly blown away by the last several releases before the hiatus, but it was still NIN and I still went to the live shows.

Now it's probably my fault, but I totally bought into all the hype over the last few months about how Trent was taking NIN in an entirely new direction. While everyone likes to talk about The Social Network, I was privately hoping for something a little more ambient and atmospheric like his work on Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Add in the Belew factor (if you've never seen the Talking Heads live in Rome, do it now. It's on YouTube in its entirety) and I was properly excited.

Then this week happened. Damn it! Suffice it to say, my expectations have been tempered. The new single isn't terrible, it just isn't great either, and it certainly doesn't differentiate itself from latter day NIN. I'm not panicking yet, even The Fragile had Star****ers. However, if this is the lead single, I'm not exactly filled with hope.

As an aside: Dane, with your inside knowledge, any idea why Tapeworm never happened? I've always assumed it was a case of too many chiefs and not enough indians, but Maynard seemed to genuinely like the material considering the APC and Puscifer versions of Tapeworm songs.

I've wondered that myself. I've heard so many varying rumors regarding Tapeworm.

I haven't lost hope completely, yet. In most NIN albums, a few of the songs that don't become hits end up being my faves.

[Third Eye]

Sadly, as a reflection of where I'm at with NIN currently, I just purchased tickets for the Sigur Ros show which happens to be on the same night. Oh well, I've seen NIN numerous times anyway.

And just because I'm curious, I'll repeat myself:

Originally Posted by Third Eye

As an aside: Dane, with your inside knowledge, any idea why Tapeworm never happened? I've always assumed it was a case of too many chiefs and not enough indians, but Maynard seemed to genuinely like the material considering the APC and Puscifer versions of Tapeworm songs.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Third Eye

Sadly, as a reflection of where I'm at with NIN currently, I just purchased tickets for the Sigur Ros show which happens to be on the same night. Oh well, I've seen NIN numerous times anyway.

And just because I'm curious, I'll repeat myself:

My apologies: I missed your initial post.

Some of my good friends were just out with Danny and Maynard for a B-day celebration last week. I'm hooking up with one of the guys I the next week or so and I'll inquire.

[Third Eye]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

My apologies: I missed your initial post.

Some of my good friends were just out with Danny and Maynard for a B-day celebration last week. I'm hooking up with one of the guys I the next week or so and I'll inquire.

Thanks, I've always been curious.

[patteeu]

Geez, you just can't trust a guy when he says he's on his farewell tour.

[Easy 6]

I'm with the Dane/Pestilence/etc faction that says he's gotten stale.

Came Back Haunted did nothing for me, i've been a huge fan of his over the years but...

With Teeth was weak as well.

To me, its weird for a guy who's so successful and from what i've read in a "good spot" in his life (happily married, spends a lot of time with his kids)... to pull off material for an album called "Hesitation Marks".

He's not the same angry kid he used to be, it happens to pretty much every rock artist... the well of originality eventually runs dry.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by scott free

He's not the same angry kid he used to be, it happens to pretty much every rock artist... the well of originality eventually runs dry.

Keep in mind that in his very first film scoring attempt, he won an Oscar and a Golden Globe. Winning is amazing enough but his first film?

Musically, he's as creative as ever, if not moreso. Lyrically however, the well has run dry. He just doesn't have anything new to say, which happens. There are very few people that can crank out amazing tracks period, let alone for three decades.

I know that he enjoys the "Live" aspect of NIN, which is why he put together a new record (didn't want to be seen as an "oldie" tour) but his best work lie ahead in film.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Keep in mind that in his very first film scoring attempt, he won an Oscar and a Golden Globe. Winning is amazing enough but his first film?

Musically, he's as creative as ever, if not moreso. Lyrically however, the well has run dry. He just doesn't have anything new to say, which happens. There are very few people that can crank out amazing tracks period, let alone for three decades.

I know that he enjoys the "Live" aspect of NIN, which is why he put together a new record (didn't want to be seen as an "oldie" tour) but his best work lie ahead in film.

I totally see what you're saying, and agree with all you said earlier about "hungry" not being the alpha and omega of creativity... a great example would 1984 from Van Halen, they were kings of the world at that point, yet it was their absolute masterpiece at the end of the bands original trajectory.

But with a NIN... its just hard to see maintaining the same level of creative originality with a band with a brand like that, when you're as accomplished and as rich as Reznor... its hard to see him making any "Hesitation Marks" on his arms.

Like you say, he needs to continue with film scoring... let NIN die a legendary death instead of going out on less than the past.

[WhiteWhale]

I loved NIN back in the day, but just stay retired dude.

[MTG#10]

Huge Nails fan, probably my favorite band but not sure...its almost impossible to pick an all time favorite. Back in high school (93-97) I had about 10 different NIN shirts that I wore damn near every day...yeah I was "that guy". Cant wait for this new album, and couldnt disagree with Dane more...With Teeth and The Slip were ****ing great.

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Trent needs to stick with film scoring because as NIN, he hasn't put out a groundbreaking (or even unique) album since The Fragile.

With Teeth is way better than The Fragile...though I still like it too. Some of the best NIN songs ever...

[rico]

Originally Posted by MTG#10

Huge Nails fan, probably my favorite band but not sure...its almost impossible to pick an all time favorite. Back in high school (93-97) I had about 10 different NIN shirts that I wore damn near every day...yeah I was "that guy". Cant wait for this new album, and couldnt disagree with Dane more...With Teeth and The Slip were ****ing great.



With Teeth is way better than The Fragile...though I still like it too. Some of the best NIN songs ever...

"All the Love in the World" is one of my favorite songs of all time.

I had like 5 NIN shirts...and people always looked at me funny as if it didn't make any sense or if they thought I was being sarcastic because I was a jock/captain of the wrestling team my Junior and Senior year. I didn't give a shit what they thought about it...they obviously hadn't listened to or given NIN a chance.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by MTG#10

Huge Nails fan, probably my favorite band but not sure...its almost impossible to pick an all time favorite. Back in high school (93-97) I had about 10 different NIN shirts that I wore damn near every day...yeah I was "that guy". Cant wait for this new album, and couldnt disagree with Dane more...With Teeth and The Slip were ****ing great.

You misunderstood my posts. I didn't say that his records after The Fragile were "bad" in any way, shape or form. I said that he didn't break any new ground or offer anything different than he did with The Fragile.

With Teeth, Year Zero, etc. were just a collection of songs. Maybe you like those songs better than the songs on The Fragile. But the bottom line is that all of those records were just an extension of what he initially created for The Fragile back in 1997/1998.

Originally Posted by MTG#10

With Teeth is way better than The Fragile...though I still like it too. Some of the best NIN songs ever...

That's a matter of opinion. What's not a matter of opinion is that fact that Reznor's music, lyrical perspective, production techniques and overall sound and vibe haven't changed a bit since the release of The Fragile.

He has not grown as an artist, which was my original point.

[MTG#10]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

That's a matter of opinion. What's not a matter of opinion is that fact that Reznor's music, lyrical perspective, production techniques and overall sound and vibe haven't changed a bit since the release of The Fragile.

So what? If its not broke don't fix it. Im glad he hasn't changed.

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

He has not grown as an artist, which was my original point.

Metallica "grew" as artists and suck complete ass now compared to everything before the black album.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by MTG#10

So what? If its not broke don't fix it. Im glad he hasn't changed.

And this is exactly why his album sales continue to decline, his band members continue to quit, etc.

It's played out.

Originally Posted by MTG#10

Metallica "grew" as artists and suck complete ass now compared to everything before the black album.

So, Metallica is your only example? How about The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, Elton John, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, The Police, Sting, Yes, Black Sabbath, Rush, Aerosmith, Van Halen, let alone artists like Dave Grohl and the Foo's, Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden, Heart, Deep Purple and on and on and on.

All of those bands and artists became better at their trade, improved their songwriting and production and most importantly, grew as artists.

I'm happy that you like NIN. That's great! But it's ridiculous to argue that Trent Reznor has gone beyond what he initially started more than 15 years ago.