DIZTURBIA.COM | RECORD INDUCTION | NINE INCH NAILS "THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL" (1994) | 10/24/14

I. OPENING THOUGHTS

Alright now, putting aside all of life's problems, LOL (if indeed you read

some of the previous blogs, leading into this one, quite the probs I have!),

I bring you, my latest induction to my personal (DVSNGH) record collection,

this being, not just 'one of' the greatest records/musical masterpieces ever

created/released on this earth, perhaps, THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME!

This here being "THE DOWNWARD SPIRAL (1994)" from Nine Inch Nails,

a record that which gained alot of critical acclaim/praise, as well as, infamy.

So yeah, for all those unaware, this is what is called a "concept" album,

in that, it's not just music 'for the sake of music', but music that tells a story,

and the story here, is that of a guy who goes crazy, and (yes) kills himself!

II. THOUGHTS ON NINE INCH NAILS

So for all those who don't know who or what (wtf?) "Nine Inch Nails" are,

it's, I wouldn't say "a band", but a 'music act' lead by one man/intellect

by name of "Trent Reznor" (with the assistance of musicians/technicians).

One of the greatest American musical acts/bands to come out of the 90's,

producing what is called "industrial rock" music, a term of which describes,

"rock/metal" music mixed with "electronic/dance" music (see full definition).

A band I first discovered (1996) on the 'Beavis & Butthead' (cartoon) show,

which featured their big hit song "March Of The Pigs" (see Youtube clip),

and yeah, was soon after that, I went to the "Pickering Flea Market" (later

replaced by Walmart), and got me my first copy of "The Downward Spiral".

III. TRACKLISTING

1. "Mr. Self Destruct" (4:30)
2. "Piggy" (4:24)
3. "Heresy" (3:54)
4. "March Of The Pigs" (2:58)
5. "Closer" (6:13)
6. "Ruiner" (4:58)
7. "The Becoming" (5:31)
8. "I Do Not Want This" (5:41)
9. "Big Man With A Gun" (1:36)
10. "A Warm Place" (3:22)
11. "Eraser" (4:54)
12. "Reptile" (6:51)
13. "The Downward Spiral" (3:57)
14. "Hurt" (6:13)

IV. TRACK REFERENCE

14. "Hurt" ★★★★★
4. "March Of The Pigs" ★★★★★
3. "Heresy" ★★★★★
5. "Closer" ★★★★★
1. "Mr. Self Destruct" ★★★★★
6. "Ruiner" ★★★★★
12. "Reptile" ★★★★★
9. "Big Man With A Gun" ★★★★★
13. "The Downward Spiral" ★★★★
8. "I Do Not Want This" ★★★★
2. "Piggy" ★★★
10. "A Warm Place" ★★★
11. "Eraser" ★★
7. "The Becoming" ★★

V. FAVORITE TRACK

So yeah, now I was originally going to pick (track 4) "March Of The Pigs"

as my *standout track*, cause of how much of a fuckin RIOT the song is,

lol, like, talk about one of those songs that gets you (um) MOTIVATED!

But the trophy definately goes to (track 14) "Hurt", indeed, the record's

most softest (as well as, depressing) song, and yes, a song about suicide!

From the viewpoint of the character (depicted throughout the story and

theme of the album), and also, that of (its main songwriter) Trent Reznor.

Despite it's 'theme', the song was HUGE, and cemented the legacy of "NIN".

Sadly, the song became overshadowed by a Johnny Cash remake (2003),

which hugely STUNK, and to what I call, the "old, senile, crippled" version.

VI. OTHER STANDOUT TRACKS

So when it comes to the rest of "The Downward Spiral", holy fuck, man!

Talk about a record downright driven by ANGER & DEMONS (drug use,

btw, playing a confirmed role in the making of this record), and you can

feel it on (tracks 1 and 9) "Mr. Self Destruct" and "Big Man With A Gun",

and especially, (track 4) "March Of The Pigs", where even in its video,

(lead man) Trent Reznor is stumbling like a maniac, either drunk -or- high

off something, tho, mighta been just acting (to make you think he was...).

And then, there's (track 3) "Heresy", not only filled with brilliant hooks

(as well as rhythm), but that added *punch* of religious-bashing lyrics

("he dreamed a God up and called it Christianity" and "God is dead!").

VII. LEAST FAVORITE TRACKS

So the other big hit off this record was (track 5) "Closer", perhaps, a tie,

as far as biggest Nine Inch Nail *hit* to date, along with (track 14) "Hurt",

and while "Hurt" was famous for being a "timeless, sentimental" piece,

"Closer" was famous for being a "dance club/radio/music video" smash,

as well as, its cheesy main lyric ("I wanna fuck you like an animal"), lol.

Personally, I was really annoyed by the song, despite its superb production.

And speaking of 'production', no doubt, The Downward Spiral is one of the

best produced records in history (in terms of sound quality and effects),

but as for songwriting, it's hit-or-miss, and a few of those 'misses' were

(tracks 7 and 11) "The Becoming" and "Eraser" (they honestly bored me).

VIII. ARTWORK

So, no fucking doubt about it, The Downward Spiral has one of the most

prolific cover arts EVER in the history of record covers (just look at it!).

Now, if you can't make out what it is, and looks like a fuckin mess to you,

well, GUESS WHAT?! that's exactly what it is, it's a motherfuckin MESS!

But yeah, so this is a portrait/painting, by an (English) artist Russell Mills,

consisting of the following: plaster, acrylics, oils, rusted metals, insects,

moths, human blood (his blood), wax, varnishes, and surgical bandaging,

all on a wooden backboard, and (the best part) left basicly to rot and decay.
How it connects to the album's title, "The Downward Spiral", I have no idea,
but indeed, it's an imagery, I can just fuckin' stare at for literal hours! O_o

IX. CLOSING THOUGHTS

So yeah, it couldn't be any more (uh) "fitting" (lol), that I present to you,

Nine Inch Nails' "The Downward Spiral", and its induction into my very

special record collection, at a time when, I'm amidst a *downward spiral*

of my own, lol, be it, the fact, my life is a fuckin disaster, oh and the fact,

that yeah, I'm eventually gonna KILL MYSELF "later down the road" :)

Now, this record doesn't actually contain subliminals/hidden messages,

that would make somebody (who, uh, wants to, you know, end their life)

go and *do that*, unless of course, you listen to the song "Hurt" (track 14)

on an 'endless loop', but yeah, you gotta be real fucked to go do 'that'.

All in all, despite the "bad message" it contains, I LOVE THIS RECORD!

X. PICTURES

(FRONT COVER)

(BACK COVER)

(INLAY, FULL)

(INLAY, LEFT)

(INLAY, RIGHT)

(COVER SLEEVE 1, FRONT)

(COVER SLEEVE 1, BACK, LYRICS)

(COVER SLEEVE 2, FRONT)

(COVER SLEEVE 2, BACK, LYRICS)

(VINYL 1 & 2)

(VINYL 1, SIDE A)

(VINYL 1, SIDE B)

(VINYL 2, SIDE A)

(VINYL 2, SIDE B)

(ALL TOGETHER)