Record Of The Week: The Slip

May 2nd, 2008

There are two main reasons why this is the album of the week. The first is that this album is completely free. The second is that this is the first modern Nine Inch Nails record that I like the majority of almost instantly. What I mean by ‘modern’ is a NIN album released after The Downward Spiral. Not to say that any of these post-spiral albums were terrible, but they took a bit to grow on me if at all.

This album feels a lot more mature and effortless than his previous ventures. Before NIN had it’s sound and voice within mirk and decay, but eventually when things get better that tends to feel forced. This seemed to be the case with the past albums and it was all a matter of finding a balance between that initial sound and what is relevant now. Now that this balance seems to be attained, not only am I enjoying the album without second guessing it - I am also eager to hear future material.

The album also seems to borrow a bit from Reznor’s recent Ghosts series (which is actually pretty good) here and there with it’s atmospherics, ambient tones and underlying melodies.

My favorite tune is Discipline. I think the main reason for this is that when I first put the album on to listen I was not expecting much at all and this tune came on and I found myself upping the volume. This is when I knew something was different. In a good way.

I also have to give Reznor credit for continually trying to evolve in the digital age by offering free downloads and voluntary pay options, but what about those of us that still have vinyl addictions? I enjoyed this album enough to pick it up at my local record shop.

Download the entire album for free: here

Written by Celery Moon |