NIN -- _Year Zero_

Who else would?

I'd say it's more like Trent's version of "New Sensation" but it does fucking rule (if he ever made a whole album of pottymouth INXS I'd kiss him on the lips).

OTM! he really needs to just let his death-disco muse go nuts!

Stepping gingerly around the steaming pile of Fergie you left over there, this is is OTM all the way. But it ain't just the lyrics. It's the whole vibe/sound/aesthetic. Gives me tooth-hurty art-pain in extremis.

I don't want to own the black velvet painting of the sad 'n' sexy goff girl hanging on a cross (mechanical unicorn in the background?).

I don't want the black rubber recliner with chrome stirrups for my living room.

I don't have any abiding interest in serial killer memerobilia or black 52.

So, why would I relate to this band? Agree that Reznor's productions usually sound FANTASTIC, and not-so-secretly love a few tunes.

I find it weird people have a problem with Reznor because his lyrics are bad. Especially with some of the other shit people here seem to listen to.

ps: hardly any of the people that i know that like NIN, myself included (or at least, it's been a while), self-identify as "goth". and even so, so what? i totally love my chemical romance, but i sure as hell ain't gonna start wearing black wristbands and cutting myself.

Just pointing out that the defining aesthetic bugs. (And I was so hoping that NIN != goth thing wouldn't pop up. Silly me.)

On the other hand, I like Motorhead and I like the Motorhead aesthetic.* Not the same thing, of course, but mysteriously related? You be the judge...

* In my shame I have to admit that I passed on the offical demon-dog-head throw pillows (LEMME) last time I was at Ikea.

Even if Trent was secretly listening to the New Riders of the Purple Sage and collecting Monkees bobbleheads all along.

So, carry on.

But then to me, thats all really irrelevant anyway. I like some of his stuff. "A Warm Place" is a beautiful song. I wish he'd do more of that kind of ambient sountrack work instead of blasty shit for DOOM 25 or something.

The hilarious thing is, most "proper goffs" I know can't stand NIN. They're not goth.

Most "proper goffs" can't stand 99.999999% of music that is supposed to be goth, which is why most "proper goffs" are insufferable people. I'm really starting to subscribe to Ned's "everything turns into goth in the end" theory, which is far more inclusive and inviting.

I like the LCD Soundsystem singles, but didn't care for the first album at all (I haven't heard the most recent one). Also, James Murphy should take a hint and become Quincy Jones 2007 -- turning knobs in the studio while others do all the singing for him. This should clarify my position on "Only".

Oh ok, I'll admit I hadn't heard it no. So fair play.

p.s.

"Shoot shoot shoot shoot shoot
I'm gonna to come all over you"

c'mon guys. c'mon.

***

But back to Trayce (and Ned, though you didn't ask):

My primary objection to NIN is aesthetic. I don't like the overall style template. It seems clunky and obvious. Like bad shoes. I don't relate to the basic view of life on display. Not 'cuz it's goth (though NIN have a lot in common with textbook goth shit, that's not a problem -- I like a lot of textbook goth shit), but 'cuz it seems silly and even embarrassing.

I'm not pnly talking about the tunes + sonics, which are often fine, sometimes truly great. I'm talking about the organizing sensibility behind it all. See, some folks insist that music is just MUSIC: tunes + sonics alone. But for me, anyway, there's more to it than that. There are less tangible levels of appeal and interaction.

I mean, think about painting. Some people are really into Dungeons & Dragons collector's plates, fine products of the Franklin Mint. I'm not. I think they're ludicrous, tasteless garbage, and I don't want 'em in my house.

"But," the dedicated collector says, "look at the brushwork. Look at the craftsmanship. Observe the look of steely determination and doomed nobility on this Dwarf Cleric's face. Look at the richness and depth of the steam clouds billowing up from Helm's Deep."

And I look. And I have to recognize. The painting is fucking fantastic. The translucent beauty of the light, the weighty planes of stone, steel and flesh. It's dazzling. But I still hate it. It's still a D&D collector's plate. It's still ludicrous, tasteless garbage, and I still don't want it in my house.

Now, I don't hate NIN that much. They're okay, I guess. But they ain't my cuppa tea.

Yeah, but they're not being uploaded onto iPods either.

http://home.earthlink.net/~selgart/smith/graphics/adric.JPG

Has anyone written an in-depth, unauthorized bio of this band yet? Cuz I'd love to see ex-NINnies dish on the power dynamics/behind-the-scenes stuff.