The Fragile by Nine Inch Nails

When I first bought this album, I hated it so much because it wasn't a bunch of songs identical to "The Perfect Drug." At the same time, nyc ghosts + flowers was my favorite Sonic Youth album. I don't know what was exactly wrong with me when I was a sophomore in college, but man was I dumb. The way Reznor weaves certain melodies and lyrics through both discs of the album makes it seem as though it is more like a symphony than a rock album, and this is now my favorite Nine Inch Nails record. Also, according to Wikipedia, Human Clay by Creed followed this as the number one album, so I guess I wasn't the only person whose head wasn't right about music in 1999.

RATING: 92%

Closer To God by Nine Inch Nails

I have always been a little obsessed with getting all of Nine Inch Nails' singles, mainly because they have really terrific remixes of the songs on them (with the exception of the Head Like A Hole and Down In It singles). This one may be perhaps the best one yet. First, it remixes a song with a ton of background layers ripe for remixing, Closer. Second, it's as long as a full length album so you get your money's worth if you're concerned about that sort of thing (I am poor so I am). Third, well, I didn't think of a third thing, but shouldn't those two be enough? Stop bellyaching grandma and buy this unless you don't like Nine Inch Nails in which case buy some stocks I hear they're cheap.

RATING: 68%

Things Falling Apart by Nine Inch Nails

One thing I like is remix albums of great albums, because it's kind of like a sequel to a great movie like Star Trek II or something. Sometimes the remix album is better than the real album (Supersexy Swingin' Sounds), but other times it's just a neat little kind of techno thing like this one. This one is pretty good I guess if you like The Fragile, Nine Inch Nails' best album. It's got a Gary Numan cover, so what else can I say?

RATING: 67%

Pretty Hate Machine by Nine Inch Nails

Released in 1989, Nine Inch Nails' first album sounds extremely 80s, and extremely different from everything else they ever did. Imagine if New Order had kept Joy Division's anger and depression, but still wrote dancy tunes, and that's what this album is. While it is very dated, it is also Nine Inch Nail's most entirely listenable album. That is, there's no pretentious instrumentals yet, or long moments of ambient wind sound effects to act "deep," but just a lot of songs with a good beat behind them. I mean, it's nowhere near as good as The Fragile, but it's still kind of fun in a retro sort of way, right Jeff?

RATING: 68%

With Teeth by Nine Inch Nails

Nine Inch Nails is one of my favorite bands, but I would rather listen to a photo album for an hour than this garbage.

RATING: 14%