Stand Out Albums has been a showcase for my favorite albums across the vast performers that I love. Covering a little bit of everything from classic rock to country hits, much like Key Movies of My Life, it has been the albums that shaped me.
After covering the works of The Posies and Guster I figured it was time for a tonal shift into my rather eclectic taste in music so I though, what could be more of a change than a band I have loved since the early 90’s, Nine Inch Nails. Today we come to the penultimate NIN album on Interscope records and an album that almost comes full circle back to the feel of Pretty Hate Machine but in a very evolved way. So, this is With Teeth and it certainly has a bite.
Why This Album?
After waiting another six years for a new full album release from Nine Inch Nails, I will fully admit, I was not ready for what was released. Knowing with NIN, it was best to expect the unexpected and, having also been diligently collecting every ‘halo’ release*, I was figured we were in for more in a similar vein as The Fragile…I could not have been more wrong but I was thrilled that I was.
With Teeth, while initially coming across more as a rock album than what had been previously released, is likely the perfect culmination of Reznor’s early work evolved. This album has elements of everything this band had release so far from the dark feelings to the angry fury and it works on so many levels. You have to keep in mind, this album was recorded during the mid 2000’s during a time when we thought politics had reached an all time low not realizing that this was only a hint of what was to come. Trent Reznor has never been one to hide his feelings on the goings on in the world and it was through his music that he told the world that he was furious and that every single one of us should be as well. I wont go any further on the political scale but if you listen to this album with that frustration in mind, you will get an even deeper level than you would have otherwise.
While this is not my favorite album, that honor still goes to their first, it is absolutely one of my top rated ones. Every track on this release is damned near perfect and blend into each other almost flawlessly making it an album that demands to be listened to in one sitting as opposed to picking it apart. Sure, there are some stand out tracks, don’t get me wrong, but you really need to listen to this all at once to really get a feel for what it stands for.
Overall, if this is your first exposure to NINE INCH NAILS, you are in for quite a treat. It’s visceral, loud, intense and just a powerful album that you will find yourself playing over and over again. Plus, Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and Nirvana fame contributed some to it so, you really can’t go wrong.
Favorite Tracks
As I said above, I highly suggest listening to this album in its entirety but…if you need some samples of what you are in for…well…
Every Day Is Exactly The Same: I dont know about you but this track feels more and more relevant this year than it ever has been.
Only. I love how Trent sings this one, it feels very similar to his style on PHM with Down In It. More spoken than sung and it works so well.
The final track on this album is one I have found emotionally impactful every single time I hear it. The song is Right Where It Belongs and it is beautiful.
Ok, Where do I get it?
You can grab this album from our friends at Amoeba and honestly, you should really just place an order. It’s one of their best albums and one everyone should own a copy of. Sure, you can listen to it via Spotify but…to own it…is divine.
Next week we discuss one of NIN’s rare concept albums with Year Zero. Until then…
Late to the Game 9/28/2021
*note: releases were released with ‘halo’ or ‘seed‘ on the numbering of the album. To date, I have every Halo release through The Slip
Thanks for reading, If you would like to read more reviews I have a weekly series called Key Movies Of My Life that comes out every Thursday and also check out some retro tv goodness with the ongoing series Retro TV Reviews here. You can also find a few of my other Music Reviews Here.
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