I was rather impressed with this EP.
My ranking of the tracks from most-liked to least.

1. The Believers: The first listen of this gave me the familiar feeling of absolute awe, something that I don't remember since my first listen of Year Zero, hearing The Great Destroyer. I feel that this has a lot of influence from Ghosts (in the use of a xylophone and similar sounds of abyssal deepness), but a speed and grittiness that transcends. However, this could have easily, with the lyrics removed, fit right into Ghosts I-IV. Also, the lyrics are quite fucked up dark, which matches the musical feel.
2. Parasite: The debut of this track gave me the same feeling as the one above. It ended up including something that I was looking forward to hearing on this EP; Trent and Mariqueen singing in sync. I think that they pulled it off terrifically. I also really liked how noisy this sound turned out. It is certainly a new sound, that cannot really be pigeonholed into any of the preceding albums by Nine Inch Nails.
3. Fur Lined: This track was much like a kick in the balls, being played directly after Parasite. The dramatic shift in tone and sound was off-putting. From the very beginning, it has much a different feel. The drumbeat instantly reminded me of Only, and later in the track, it reminded me of The Hand That Feeds. Despite the fact that the tonal and atmospheric change really doesn't fit within the context, after a few listens, this track grew on my significantly. This is certainly the "Starfuckers" of the EP.
4. The Space in Between: In many ways, I think that the opening track sets the tone and musical mood for the album. The first time I heard this song, and heard the way that it was cut at the end, I could tell that it was the opening track, and it only increased my anticipation. This is a fantastic opening track. It is deep, dark, and atmospheric, more-so than most Nine Inch Nails music.
5. A Drowning: I think that one of the reasons that this song is so low on the scale is due its release so early. I have gotten used to it, and have to say that I still love it. Much like Parasite, there a many sounds in this that are new, yet still reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails in a way that, if I heard the song, and did not know its origin, I would be able to tell that Trent had a part in the production. (I think that all of the songs he plays a part in producing somewhat have this quality to them.)
6. BBB: This was possibly the only song that brought me disappointment. I cannot understand what the reason for singing about boot was/is. Whether or not it is about Nazis marching, bondage, or a tribute to a pair of boots which were the product of a great shopping trip. It must have occurred to somebody that this was not a great topic to sing about, or one to include on the EP, otherwise the title would have been Big Black Boots. Aside from the lyrical topic, the music is still great, and it fits into the album very well. Again, many new sounds.

Overall, I think that this could have been better, but it is an EP. I can understand that I'm a little disappointed, because I and probably many others were expecting something more along the fluidly composed NIN albums. I think that Trent and Mariqueen are still probably settling in to finding where they want to head with the band, as Trent said. He wants to take it where NIN couldn't go. I think that the next release will be even more different and new. I look forward to it, and in the meantime will gorge on these tasty beats. Thank you, How To Destroy Angels.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/01/2010 02:22PM by Phlegethon.

Not to be a douche, but to me this is just the Slip b-sides with a lady singing. It's probably the most uninteresting of Trent's releases in the last decade.

EDIT: also, i cant help but feel like he's just flat-out lost the ability to use noise in an interesting way. Look at a song like march of the pigs intro where just drums and noise = awesome.

Or the bridge in I do not want this before 'i wanna know everything...' kicks in. Incredible sounds which are really just noise but its put together so well and sounds so awesome. They were usually samples rather than random digital fuzz and they were used with amazing precision.

Now trent seems to just fill space with random, noisy shit which has no real pattern or sense to it. It's like someone recorded a person kicking the crap out of a keyboard or something.

Sorry to be so negative guys, but i'm just really not feeling this one.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/01/2010 02:50PM by DanielMcNinja.

DanielMcNinja posted:

Not to be a douche, but to me this is just the Slip b-sides with a lady singing. It's probably the most uninteresting of Trent's releases in the last decade.

Some of these songs may take time to grow on you. Most of this EP has only been available for a day. I'd give it a few more listens.

just got it!! got the email in like a second. Cant wait to buy the cd as well.

jhulud posted:

Am I the only who is hoping for some insane super-duper deluxe physical version a la Ghosts I-IV?

I got one of those - and I love it ... but not so sure I want that for this EP. Like someone said, it's only 6 songs. I did get the HD + poster option, though...so I made sure I got something a little more special with it I'm always excited to get something a little extra and support Trent! I will probably pick up the vinyl too - A Drowning and The Space in Between would be even more stark, eerie, and beautiful!

Also I JUST got my HD download link @ 2:25 PM (pacific time). I'm glad I didn't stay up past 5 am, haha. I'd be so tired right now. Anyways, I cracked and downloaded the standard quality one an hour ago

I know this is a HTDA discussion... but i have to say that ive been listening to The Slip and this EP combined on CD and my PC... and i have to say IMO that this is my favorite music that TR has ever done (instrumentaly). The lyrics are good, i just prefer TF,WT,YZ lyrics.

Just listened through the whole thing. I love it! One of the most interesting releases Trent Reznor released outside of NIN. Mariqueen has amazing vocals and Trent's background vocals are orgasmic! I love BBB, Parasite, and Fur Lined!

Finally got my HD links! Now I have to wait ages for them to download... DAMN YOU DSL!!!

Just having first listen on my computer and cannot wait to hear it on headphones. Surprisingly easy to download - took less than a minute.

Now on Fur Lined and am dancing in my chair.

redcore posted:

redcore posted:

Also I JUST got my HD download link @ 2:25 PM (pacific time). I'm glad I didn't stay up past 5 am, haha. I'd be so tired right now. Anyways, I cracked and downloaded the standard quality one an hour ago

AH, crap. Spoke too soon. It's the follow-up video email. I'll send them an email and tell them I didn't get the HD audio yet...

They got it all sorted out - downloaded and listening to the HD version

MissKaren posted:

A Drowning sends shivers down my spine every time I hear it, and remains my favorite...I absolutely love the song.
And A Space in Between is right up there with A Drowning.

Exactly! If this comes out on vinyl, those songs would be SO cool to listen to on it...

The WAV's quality was great(100x better than the MP3s), I wouldn't understand why anyone wouldn't pay the $2. It is so worth it!

Thank you Trent, Mariqueen, and Atticus for such a great EP!

Phlegethon posted:

DanielMcNinja posted:

Now trent seems to just fill space with random, noisy shit which has no real pattern or sense to it. It's like someone recorded a person kicking the crap out of a keyboard or something.

Sorry to be so negative guys, but i'm just really not feeling this one.

Is that how you feel about every song? Or just some more than others? I don't understand what you mean. >.>

Not EVERY song by any means, but a lot of them, including HDA and Year Zero and onwards NIN. The Slip wasn't so bad in that department as it was more conventional.

I just find a lot of trent's work these days descends into damn near total random noise. Listen to The Believers around the 4:15 mark (ish) to see what i'm talking about. I had to change the track earlier when i was walking to work as it was making me feel anxious. :\

Compared to like the opening of Ruiner or more or less the whole of Reptile were samples and noise are used to great effect to sound like a sort of band of sounds, trent's new stuff just sounds like he's mashing random buttons.

ZEEP! BAAAAH! BLOOP! GRRRRR! SWHING BLAH bzzzzzzz! ZIP ZIP BLOOP GRAAAAARGH!

jarrettwold posted:

doh... Tracks aren't tagged, unless the bundled executables were supposed to do it. Just guessing that whatever shit topspin is using stripped the tags. I use Zune* so the copy to iTunes executables wouldn't work anyways.


Win7 x64

*Due to me being a MSFT whore.

Did you use the free download or the hi def downloads? I couldn't get any of the hi def formats to load onto my Zune. A bit peeved about it.

Anybody else buying the vinyl?

strikezero posted:

ok is anyone else in love?

Yep. I'm totally smitten.