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 Ghosts VI: Locusts
Why This Album?
As I mentioned last week, I had originally intended to combine my reviews of Ghosts V and VI but, after listening to them I realized that they each deserved their own moment to shine.
Where Ghosts V had a very ambient almost euphoric quality to it, Locusts lives up to its namesake giving you more of a horror vibe from the start. Opening with The Cursed Clock, Trent’s staccato piano rhythm is accompanied by a shrill sound that makes you realize, this album is going to be soaked in terror. Now, don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with an album comprised of spooky tones and music but Ghosts VI Locusts could have easily been the soundtrack to a nightmarish Horror/ Detective Noir story that at some point invites the cenobites in to play along just for fun.
The thing is, it works. It works so well that I found myself instantly drawn to this release as it conjured dark and interesting images in my head as I sat and listened to each track one after another. Art is meant to evoke an emotional response, whether that response is a complete hatred of the art, adoration of it or somewhere in between, any emotional reaction means that that art did exactly as it was meant to do and this one absolutely evokes emotions. There are some pieces on this that are panic inducing, others that lull you into false security only to drop you in the way of yet another nightmare, others still creep into your ears telling you things you shouldn’t know. Ghosts VI: Locusts is in and of itself a tale of terror but that terror fully depends on the listeners own imagination.
Overall, this album is a triumph. It is unlike most anything Reznor has done under the moniker of Nine Inch Nails making it really stand out on it’s own as something unique. While it is not my favorite album, that honor is split across Pretty Hate Machine and Year Zero, it is one that I am thrilled to have experienced, yes, I said mean that, this album is more than just a auditory pleasure, it is a true experience that will engulf you. Prepare yourself, because this is one experience that will make you really think.
Favorite Tracks
Once again, there are no favorites as it should be listened to in one sitting. As NIN released this one for free, you can listen to it here and I highly recommend it. Or, just check out this video…
Late to the Game 11/16/21
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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Late to the Game Blog 