Trent Reznor, better known under his moniker Nine Inch Nails, is one of the most prominent artists in modern rock, with nine total platinums and one gold certification from the Recording Industry of America. Active since 1989 with a four-year hiatus, Nine Inch Nails has been perfecting their brand of rock, which features heavy, driving beats, dark melodies and lyrics, blended with noise and electronic effects. This September marked the release of Nine Inch Nails’ eighth album, “Hesitation Marks.”
The album definitely has all the above characteristics. The lead single “Came Back Haunted” was wisely chosen. Whispered vocals near the end of the track after a near constant (but fairly catchy) background synth riff show a bringing of soft-loud dynamics into the mix. The song was refreshing to hear, especially when many of his earlier songs consist of either loud-louder or quiet-quiet song structures.
“All Time Low” is also a nice addition to the mix. It begins with an almost funky beat and guitar riff. Clocking in at 6 minutes and 17 seconds, it is the longest song on the regular edition of the album. Every second of the song is worth it.
“Find My Way,” the next song following the lead single, fits into the quiet-quiet song structure. Its lyrical theme of being lost and isolated has been used before, but Reznor always manages to find a refreshing way to use it, so this is not a detriment at all.
I chose the above three tracks as the best sneak peek into the fourteen (or eighteen, counting bonus) tracks. Reznor has stuck to his genre well with “Hesitation Marks,” but his more experimental tracks still bear his vibe. I commend him for an album well done without selling out, and recommend this album to all who may like the darker sides of rock or metal.
