The Fragile

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- The Mark Has Been Made
Nine Inch Nails - The Fragile - Amazon.com Music

It is no secret that Nine Inch Nails is my favorite band. I’ve spent many many days, nights and years, delving deep into the catalog. When you take a real close listen to a lot of the songs and the order they were placed in on the albums, you really get to feel the vibe. For example, The Fragile (my all time favorite NIN album and favorite album EVER), on disc 2 (better known as the right disc), there is an instrumental song called “The Mark Has Been Made” that is a wonderful almost segue into the next song “Please.” This instrumental is a beast live too. Take a moment and let this one sink into your head!


Nine Inch Nails- The Mark Has Been Made:


Nine Inch Nails- The Mark Has Been Made (LIVE):

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):


My Favorite Songs: Nine Inch Nails- Somewhat Damaged

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Since today it was announced that Nine Inch Nails is being inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame, I thought I’d share one of my all time favorite songs by NIN. This one goes back to 1999 and the absolute masterpiece that is The Fragile. The song I chose to share is, “Somewhat Damaged” and I still, to this very day, anytime I play this album, I get chills when it comes on. It’s also one of the best songs to ever start an album. Not to mention that live, this song is absolutely a beast. Oh and, I’d also like to note that this song was co-written by Danny Lohner, who just so happens to be one of my all time favorite members of Trent’s live band. So with all that in mind, enjoy one of my top 5 favorite Nine Inch Nails songs EVER!

 

Nine Inch Nails- Somewhat Damaged:

 

 

 

End Of Album Songs: Nine Inch Nails

03 - Nine Inch Nails

It’s no secret that I have a deep affinity for Nine Inch Nails. Ever since I first heard the band back in 1990, I’ve been enthralled by what Trent has created. Each album has it’s own unique way of taking you on this journey that is really hard to explain. It’s like you are sucked in to every emotion and ride the wave. That’s part of what makes Nine Inch Nails albums so great. From start to finish and with every listen there is something special about the songs and how the ebb and flow just takes you away. So, take a deeper dive into the end of album songs by Nine Inch Nails.

 
Ringfinger (from Pretty Hate Machine):

 


Suck (from Broken):

 

 
Hurt (from The Downward Spiral):

 

 
Ripe With Decay (from The Fragile):

 

 
Right Where It Belongs (from With Teeth):

 

 
Zero Sum (from Year Zero):

 

 
Demon Seed (from The Slip):

 

 
Black Noise (from Hestitation Marks):

 

 
Burning Bright (Field On Fire) (from Not The Actual Events):

 

 
The Background World (from Add Violence):

 

 
Over and Out (from Bad Witch):

 

Title Tracks: Nine Inch Nails

03 - Nine Inch Nails

The “title track” topic is quite fun. The title track is one of those songs that has always left a mark with me. I’m sure many of you out there, like myself, like to really delve into the “why” part of albums. As I mentioned before, these songs seem to have a certain vibe that brings the whole album together. Check out these songs by Nine Inch Nails and then go back and listen to the albums as a whole.

 

The Downward Spiral:

 

 

The Fragile:

 

 

With Teeth:

 

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:

B Sides: Nine Inch Nails

03 - Nine Inch Nails

It’s really interesting to think about all the B-sides a band has. A lot of the time the songs that didn’t make the album are actually really good but just didn’t fit in the scheme of things. The other day while in the car with my wife, the Nine Inch Nails song “Non- Entity” came on and it got me thinking about all the songs that Trent has written over the years that didn’t get put on albums or even released. So naturally I went on a binge of listening to all the B-sides, covers and unreleased tracks by Nine Inch Nails that I could. Here are a bunch of my favorites.
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Album Rank: Nine Inch Nails

03 - Nine Inch Nails

I present to you the album rank of my all time favorite band… Nine Inch Nails!

Note: These are just the “ALBUMS” not the REMIX ALBUMS.

 

10) Ghosts:

 

09) The Slip:

 

08) Not The Actual Events:

 

07) Hesitation Marks:

 

06) Year Zero:

 

05) With Teeth:

 

04) Pretty Hate Machine:

 

03) Broken:

 

02) The Downward Spiral:

 

01) The Fragile: