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After noting the 20th anniversary of my getting into Nine Inch Nails, I thought I’d share my favorite NIИ and Trent Reznor moments.
Nine Inch Nails – The Downward Spiral (Nothing)
Strange mix of brutal and beautiful. It is a timeless album that never ceases to shock and amaze. Trent Reznor was just starting to fully explore soundscapes.
Nine Inch Nails – Broken (TVT/Nothing)
NIИ‘s second proper release took a wide left turn away from the largely electronic debut and delivered this full-on industrial onslaught.
Nine Inch Nails – Pretty Hate Machine (TVT)
The first album only suffers from the limited production parameters of the time. I guarantee that if Reznor could re-record the instruments, this would be much closer to Downward Spiral class.
Natural Born Killers: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Interscope)
A really good collection of standout tracks from such varying artists as L7, Patti Smith, Lard, and Leonard Cohen. The most heralded tracks being the Cowboy Junkies‘ cover of The Velvet Underground‘s “Sweet Jane,” and the below number.
Lost Highway: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Interscope)
Not quite as eclectic a mix of songs or artists as NBK but when you deal with David Lynch, you’re in for something weird and specific. A couple of cool covers from Lou Reed and Marilyn Manson with a heaping helping of Angelo Badalamenti but the real highlight was the lone Nails track.
Nine Inch Nails – The Fragile (Nothing)
Reznor’s evolution continues as his works became more sprawling. I know many disagree with me when I say that had this been more concise, it would have been a classic. A two disc set with one disc worth of really great tracks.
Marilyn Manson – Antichrist Superstar (Nothing/Interscope)
For better or worse, the world probably never would have heard of Manson without Trent Reznor. This is the last album of Manson’s that Reznor would produce.
1000 Homo DJs – Supernaut (Wax Trax!)
Black Sabbath classic redone by Ministry‘s Al Jourgensen with Trent on vocals.
Nine Inch Nails – With Teeth (Nothing/Interscope)
While not really worth the six year wait, the album didn’t deserve the poo pooing it received by many. While not amazing, it was still better than the output of nearly all of Nine Inch Nails’ contemporaries.
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross – The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (The Null Corporation)
The combination of Reznor’s stylings with David Fincher’s dark leanings make a perfect match. Though not Academy Award nominated like The Social Network, I find this a better match.
