Charlie Clouser

ALBUM RANK UPDATED: HELMET

The other day I was going through my site making notes of things that I need to do. While doing so, I noticed that some of my articles especially the album ranks, are quite old and my thoughts on some of these have changed so I thought why not update these. One of the first ones that I thought of was Helmet. I’m still not over that show from earlier this year. It was seriously one of the best shows I’ve seen in a long time. Well, with that in mind, here’s an updated ranking of Helmet’s albums. And if you get the chance to go see Helmet live, GO!!! It will be one of the best decisions you’ll make!

From Not The Best To The Best:

09) Seeing Eye Dog:

08) Dead To The World:

07) Strap It On:

06) Monochrome:

05) Left:

04) Aftertaste:

03) Size Matters:

02) Betty*:

01) Meantime*:

*Note: Meantime and Betty could be flipped depending on the day!

DEEP CUTS: NINE INCH NAILS- PLEASE

Those that know me know I’m a GIANT Nine Inch Nails fan. I could write pages about why they are my favorite band but, I’ll save that for another day or even for a future podcast episode. The Fragile is my all time favorite album. Ever since it came out in 1999 it has yet to leave my constant rotation and it’s one of those albums I find is a warm blanket record. There are so many great songs found throughout the album. There is maybe one song that I skip (Star Fuckers Inc.) but, for the most part I don’t. The other day while listening to the full album, I found myself stuck on one song in particular and that would be the song “Please.” This song is so damn good and one of those that I wish would be played live a lot more. One of the other cool things about “Please” is the layers and textures of the instrumentation found throughout. And for those of you like me that are rabid NIN fans, depending on what version you have (CD or Vinyl) part of the song “10 Miles High” can be found at the beginning or the end of the song. Since Nine Inch Nails are touring again and I will be at both Los Angeles shows in Sepetember, lets put this out in the universe and see if we can make it happen “PLEASE!!!!!”

Nine Inch Nails- Please:

Deep Cuts: Nine Inch Nails- La Mer

My all time favorite album is The Fragile by Nine Inch Nails. It’s an absolute masterpiece and then some. Truly, it’s one of those albums that the more you listen, it always sounds impeccable. There are a batch of song I could focus on for this topic but, I thought I’d pin point one song that I’ve always had a deep admiration for and that song would be “La Mer” which can be found as Track 11 on Disc 1. “La Mer” is a really poignant song within the whole of The Fragile. The song itself was conceived during a very dark period in Trent’s life. While on stage in 2009 he disclosed that he had rented a house at the time of the making of The Fragile, on an ocean with the external intent to write some music, but in reality had contemplated suicide there. This song was the only song to come out of that time and place. He still feels strange playing it live because it serves as a reminder of this period. And each time it’s played live there is a feeling that sails from the stage to the audience that gives you chills when you least expect it. There are a few different versions of the song with each one giving you a bit of a different listening experience and vibe. I highly recommend checking the other ones out.

Nine Inch Nails- La Mer (Album Version):

https://youtube.com/watch?v=dcIOInVS7jo%3Fsi%3DF-snkdQlgLxhfEJC

La Mer (Alternate Version found on Deviations I):

https://youtube.com/watch?v=vbjBRoizGgY%3Fsi%3DQTLPOZDAyao_g9Wb

La Mer (Jerome Dillon & Keith Hillebrandt Mix):

https://youtube.com/watch?v=KfGOxWYYEVY%3Fsi%3Dp-Aa36QfD48z_07k

Instrumental Songs: Nine Inch Nails- Just Like You Imagined
NIN - Just Like You Imagined] | The fragile, Nine inch nails, Universal music group

I will never forget the first time I listened to Nine Inch Nails album The Fragile the whole way through. There was something so special about that album. I could and will go into more detail about that album at some point down the road. One of the immediate songs that hit me like a ton of bricks was track number 7 on Disc 1 (or the left side), “Just Like You Imagined.” This instrumental track blew me away. It’s a total encompassing of everything that makes The Fragile so great. The song on the studio recording features David Bowie’s longtime pianist, Michael Garson, who adds some beautiful moments. Live, this song is even better. I’ve had the pleasure of hearing it live a few times and each one of those I was totally in awe at how amazing the song truly is.

Nine Inch Nails- Just Like You Imagined:



Just Like You Imagined (Rehearsal):


Memorable TV Performances: Nine Inch Nails on the 1999 VMA’s

03 - Nine Inch Nails

Back in 1999, Nine Inch Nails performed on the MTV Video Music Awards. It was pretty unexpected, especially since NIN never performed on TV. Quick Side Note, It wouldn’t happen again until 2013 when Trent and company performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Which actually is the first time the band has ever performed on a late night talk show. The performance of “The Fragile” on the VMA’s was something hauntingly beautiful,  dark and one of the best VMA performances. Plus it featured my all time favorite line up Nine Inch Nails has ever had.

 

Nine Inch Nails- The Fragile on the 1999 MTV VMA’s:

Ultimate Set List: Nine Inch Nails

03 - Nine Inch Nails

This is probably the most difficult Ultimate Set List I’ve made yet. I think I’ve made about 15 different versions of this set list. I usually give myself only 25 songs to make these Ultimate Set Lists but, for this one I had to go to 30 songs. It was seriously impossible to make it 25 songs. I actually could have made it longer too (I have one version that is 50 songs). Picking the songs wasn’t just the hardest part either, because there have been so many great players in Trent’s live band, picking those individuals was rather difficult too. Anyhow, here is my Ultimate Set List for Nine Inch Nails. What would be on yours?

Rule 1: What line up of the band would it be

Rule 2: Where would you want to see the show

Rule 3: maximum 25 songs (In order of how the set should go)

 

Lineup: Trent Reznor, Danny Lohner, Jerome Dillon, Charlie Clouser, Robin Finck, (Yes I picked The Fragile era lineup)
Venue: The Fonda Theater (Saw NIN there during their Wave Goodbye tour and it was amazing)

Set List:
01) Head Like A Hole
02) Mr. Self Destruct
03) Getting Smaller
04) Into The Void
05) Head Down
06) The Day The World Went Away
07) The Idea Of You
08) You Know What You Are
09) The Frail
10) The Wretched
11) Eraser
12) Last
13) Survivalism
14) Copy Of A
15) Less Than
16) Various Methods Of Escape
17) And All That Could Have Been
18 ) A Warm Place
19) We’re In This Together
20) Burning Bright (Field On Fire)
21) March Of The Pigs
22) The Hand That Feeds
23) Gave Up
24) The Perfect Drug
25) Reptile
26) Sin
27) Just Like You Imagined
28) Somewhat Damaged
29) The Fragile
30) In This Twilight