Nine Inch Nails: Broken
This is the closest I’ve ever heard Nine Inch Nails come to metal. It’s also the best release of theirs in my collection with the possible exception of their debut Pretty Hate Machine. Despite ridiculous titles like “Help Me I Am In Hell” and “Happiness In Slavery,” Trent Reznor funnels most of his histrionic melodrama into the music…and it sounds great.
Most notably, there isn’t a single terrible song on here. “Pinion” and “Help Me I Am In Hell” are pretty dull, but at least I don’t cringe when I hear them. Even “Gave Up,” the other non-keeper, has its moments.
No, this is Reznor at his best. The sounds he creates, both for his instruments and as effects on his voice, are far beyond anything he did before or in the years following this. He’s elevated his sound invention reputation beyond its already stellar standing here…this is his MVP season. He didn’t just improve his strengths, though…he also reduced the negative effects of his main weakeness: there’s very little self-pity, either from the point of view of a character or for Reznor himself.
With its incredibly harsh textures, relentless distortion, and heavy beats, this is the most “difficult” Nine Inch Nails listen I’ve heard. It’s also the best.
Rating:
Mixer: “Physical (You’re So)”
Non-keepers: “Pinion,” “Help Me I Am In Hell,” “Gave Up”
Filed Between: Nine Inch Nails’ “Head Like A Hole” and The Downward Spiral
Tags: 1992, 4 lunchboxes, CD reviews, J-mez' collection, music