Album Review "Broken" by Nine Inch Nails

[Shinobi-Iri (nick)]

For those who don't know, Nine Inch Nails is the work of musical genius Trent Reznor who pretty much writes and performs everything. It's not really the case anymore, since he has more performers on latter records, but back when this was done at least. For those who do, you'd know him as the former drug addict who created some pretty influential industrial rock madness throughout the 90's. This EP, released in 1992 is probably his heaviest and angriest, and probably most drug-fueled.

Reznor describes this 8 track masterpiece as "an ultra-fast chunk of death" which is supposed to reflect the anger and frustration he was experiencing at the time. But while it's not ultra-fast, it is a chunk of death. In most cases, the industrial elements are thrown aside for abrasive electric guitars and distortion placed on everything from bass lines to the mellotron that John Lennon once owned.

The record kicks off with "Wish", one of Reznor's most famous songs and a testament to his ability to create quality rock as well as industrial. Tribal-like drums combined with frustrated growling vocals and a descending, almost orchestral breakdown make for an interesting experience. After this comes "Last". a personal favorite of mine which can only be described as "pure metal" with screaming and drums that are only there to keep the hyper-distortion in time. "Happiness in Slavery" with it's industrial drums, chaotic vocals and funky bass line make it quite the sonic attack, while "Gave Up" sees a mellotron given the NIN treatment with it's distortion and virtuositic playing.

However, the most interesting element album sees two of it's best tracks, "Suck" and "Physical (You're So)" hidden behind 97 blank 1 second tracks. They were originally outtakes intended to be released separately but when Reznor discovered the shops were planning on charging ridiculously for them he decided to hide them on there. While "Suck" is a song he wrote with a previous band, "Physical (You're So)" is a heavy cover of an Adam and the Ants song, which sounds pretty cool in it's metal version.

All in all, one of NIN's best releases, and definitely worth a listen.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Pinion
2. Wish
3. Last
4. Help me I am in Hell
5. Happiness in Slavery
6. Gave Up
98. Physical (You're So)
99. Suck

[madkill]

everyone's a musical genius these days, that saying is just gaining less meaning everyday.

[Shinobi-Iri (nick)]

I know it might seem to have a lot less meaning these days, and I couldn't agree more that it is thrown around way too liberally. But Trent Reznor is one of the few people I can honestly say is a musical genius.

[Payrune]

Everyone has their own opinions. So while one person may think the world of a certain band or artist, another may hate it or just not really care for it at all. It's all a matter of preference in the musical genres.

[Shinobi-Iri (nick)]

I suppose that genre preference plays a big part, sure. But I think a genius needs to be able to influence a lot of people, and apart from influencing me he's also influences a lot of people from many different genres. Linkin Park, Tori Amos, Maynard James Keenan; all very different artists that can name Trent and NIN as influences, I think that truly makes a genius.