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 discuss the 2008 album, The Slip.
Why This Album?
2008 was a banner year for NIN fans, not only did we get Ghosts 1-4, we also got a more traditional rock album called The Slip. What makes The Slip unique is that Trent and crew made the album available for free via creative commons with a physical version being made available at a later date for those of us who still like physical things. Needless to say, I ordered one for myself.
This album is pure Nine Inch Nails in every way. Starting off as an EP and quickly becoming a full album, The Slip feels like a celebration of the bands history in the form of a single album. With tracks ranging between cohesive heavy rock songs to blistering chaotic noise and back to subtle introspection, this album is clearly free of any oversight from a studio making it the purest form of Nine Inch Nails at the time. Additionally, having been released on Creative Commons, Nine Inch Nails encourages people to use, remix and released versions of the tracks on this album, as long as the creations are not used for profit and the band is appropriately credited.
Overall, this album is just pure perfection. There is not a bad track to be heard and you can almost hear Trent Reznor’s delight in his newfound freedom to create whatever it is he wants with noone pushing back.
Favorite Tracks
1,000,000 Starting with a great drum beat, this song is pure rock and what a song it is!
Head Down: This is a truly impactful song that questions reality itself.
Lights In The Sky. I don’t know why, but this song is the one that hit me the most. It’s subtle and feels like it could have easily been on The Fragile but feels elevated somehow. I cant explain it, but it’s pretty fantastic.
Ok, Where do I get it?
As it was released under creative commons you can still get this one free pretty much by searching for it. As long as you dont sell it or make money off of the tracks in any way, it’s totally legal! You can also listen via spotify so…that makes it easier too.
Next week, Hesitation Marks.
Late to the Game 10/19/2021
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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