Trent Reznor

My Favorite Songs: Nine Inch Nails- Somewhat Damaged

98999ea5d4e840625bab9245851f860b.1000x1000x1.jpg

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:

 

 

 

Cover Songs: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross (David Bowie)- Life On Mars

maxresdefault.jpg

If you’ve been watching the new HBO series Watchmen like I have, you are probably pretty enamored by the music as well as the show. As most of you know, David Bowie is/was a huge inspiration to Trent Reznor. Trent and Atticus’s cover of Bowie’s “Life On Mars” is quite a somber yet contemplative version. Plus with it being instrumental, it gives off a much deeper vibe. This will be available on Volume 3 of the Watchmen score which comes out December 16.

 

Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross- Life On Mars:

 

Deep Cuts: Nine Inch Nails- Getting Smaller

b5803cfeddce34d081498aa6cf3fb38e.1000x1000x1.jpg

I love this topic. It’s a lot of fun to showcase a song at a time that deserve their due. As I’m sure over time, you’ve all come to realize that Nine Inch Nails is my all time favorite band. Through the years, Trent has written some pretty amazing songs and a lot of them have never really gotten the attention the deserve. One such song I’d like to highlight is “Getting Smaller” from 2005’s With Teeth. I still remember hearing this song for the first time and thinking to myself, what a great song this is, and as time went on I kept thinking why wasn’t this song a single or a live staple. Something fun about this song is that the drums on this track were played by the one and only Dave Grohl. This song too, is one of the best songs on With Teeth. I truly hope that when Nine Inch Nails comes back around to touring again, this song makes the set list.

Nine Inch Nails- Getting Smaller:

 

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:

 

Alternate Versions: Nine Inch Nails- Only EL-P Mix

maxresdefault.jpg

NEW TOPIC!!!!! This new topic is all about alternate versions of songs you know. I’ll be showcasing different remixes, demos, and live versions of songs.

Let’s start off with a really fun one. Back in 2005 Nine Inch Nails released the album With Teeth. As always with Nine Inch Nails releases, there comes remix versions of songs. On the Every Day is Exactly The Same remix EP, there is a version of the song “Only” remixed by the one and only EL-P, and it’s fantastic. EL-P’s mix, gives it a bit more atmosphere and it makes the song a bit more haunting. Enjoy!

Nine Inch Nails- Only (EL-P Mix):

 

Live Review: Nine Inch Nails at The Palladium

IMG_5212.JPG

When a band as big as Nine Inch Nails opts to play small venues and do multiple nights, you know that it’s going to be special. Back in 2009, I was lucky to get to go to a few of the Wave Goodbye shows Nine Inch Nails did in Los Angeles. I was able to go to the Wiltern, Fonda and Palladium shows. Each of those nights have always stood out in my concert going history. The Palladium show that evening was special as The Downward Spiral was played in its entirety. Last night didn’t have that happen but it was one of those shows that rank pretty high in my now 18 times seeing Nine Inch Nails.

(more…)

Great Music Videos: Nine Inch Nails- Only

maxresdefault.jpg

I’m sure you all know by now that Nine Inch Nails is my favorite band. While thinking of what to share with you all today, I wound up with the song “Only” in my head. There are a few things about the song that are really cool. For starters the song was the number one song on the modern rock charts for seven straight weeks when it was released. “Only” is the 20th most played song in the bands live history. And, the music video for the song, which was directed by David Fincher, is one hell of a great video and truly artistic. The CGI heavy video is one of the most intriguing videos in the latter part of Nine Inch Nails’ history. David Fincher and Trent Reznor are one hell of a team together. Their shared vision and ability to create genuine art is profound. Enjoy this great and now classic video.

 
Nine Inch Nails- Only:

 

Here’s a bonus… Check out this awesome remix EL-P (from Run The Jewels) did:
Nine Inch Nails- Only (EL-P Mix):

 

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:

Live Review: Nine Inch Nails at The Joint

IMG_4257.JPG

There are certain bands that I will always go see no matter how many times I’ve seen them live. Nine Inch Nails is atop that list and I’ve now seen them 17 times. Each time has been it’s own experience which makes all the shows that much more unique. This past weekend I had the pleasure to see my favorite band at The Joint in Las Vegas and it was just as epic as you would think it was. Trent and company would be performing on 3 different dates and I was lucky enough to be at 2 of the 3. I have to say I’m pretty sure I was at the best shows of the weekend.

(more…)