The Bottom Line: While not perfect, Further Down The Spiral is definitely one of the best remix album's I've heard and a worthy part of any nine inch nails collection.
lambchops's Full Review: Further Down the Spiral [US] [EP] by Nine Inch Nai...
With full-length studio albums few and far between, nine inch nails has over the years released a multitude of maxi-singles and EPs for eager fans to munch on. So much material in fact that fans would have to spend a great deal of cash in an effort to complete a true collection from Trent Reznor and his traveling company.
The brainchild of Reznor, nine inch nails was birthed in the unlikely town of Cleveland during 1989. It took only a short amount of time for the release of Pretty Hate Machine to happen, and that excellent album allowed for Reznor’s music to continue. Pretty Hate Machine was dark, brooding, angry, and anxious and boasted an incredible first half with songs like Head Like A Hole, Something I Can Never Have, Terrible Lie, Down In It, and Sanctified all featured.
In the five or so years between Pretty Hate Machine and The Downward Spiral, Reznor continued to make music and released sister EPs Broken and Fixed--both of which were peppered with incredible songs. This era brought to light songs including Wish, Happiness in Slavery, and Last. But it was the 1994 album that followed that really once again put nine inch nails on the musical map.
The Downward Spiral proved a stroke of genius. Just as angry as the full-length debut, the album was also nihilistic and graphically violent. And in the wake of “grunge,” the album proved to be the perfect outlet for particularly angry kids—and kids feeling alienated (the place I fit into). Songs like Closer, Hurt, March of The Pigs and Piggy were undeniably brilliant (heck, the album as a whole was damn near perfect).
In another stroke of marketing genius, Reznor put together a companion EP containing a new (although only slightly different) version of Hurt and a collection of remixes. Further Down The Spiral sold very well, eventually cresting at the #23 position on the Billboard Hot 200. And while I do enjoy Further Down The Spiral on most levels, I have to also be honest with readers and myself. It is not as good as Broken or Pretty Hate Machine or even The Downward Spiral. It is in essence an extended single for Hurt and while I’m fine with that some of the remixes are less than perfect.
Further Down The Spiral actually comes in two versions—US (version 1) and UK (version 2). I own the US version in which mixes of Ruiner and Heresy are tossed out in favor of Eraser remixes and rarity The Beauty of Being Numb. As mentioned, the release is the platform for Hurt. But there are ten other tracks to be had, much more than one would generally expect on an EP not from nine inch nails. Released in 1995, the best way to sum it up is to say that the disc isn’t for new fans of the band. They should stick to the original versions. Rather, Further Down The Spiral is for people already well acquainted with Reznor’s work.
Remix albums are a hit and miss affair. Fortunately, Further Down The Spiral is mostly of the “hit” variety. Featuring producers like Rick Rubin on Piggy (nothing can stop me now), Aphex Twin on The Beauty of Being Numb and At The Heart of It All, and Mr. Reznor himself on Hurt (quiet). The talent utilized is very apparent, and save for a few remixes (specifically those of Eraser) the disc is pretty incredible.
Beginning with Piggy, the disc is off to a great start. This remix is truly impressive, possibly even surpassing the original. With the inclusion of Dave Navarro on guitars, the song taken on more of a mainstream metal tendency (rather than purely industrial) and in my opinion that leaning makes for a more diverse EP. It’s strange, dark, and winding song. Melodic and gorgeous to start, Piggy kicks it up a notch or twelve with driving drums and production. It all works very well and the song is one of the best of the disc.
Next, listeners are given three remixes of the same track--The Art of Self Destruction, Part One and Self Destruction, Part Two (from J.G. “Foetus” Thrilwell). Also included later is Self Destruction, Final. The first is the best of the three, in my opinion. It is dark, noisy, strange, and lovely all at the same time. This delicate act is what Reznor is best at. Somehow he manages to combine everything in a manner that is incredibly musical, but also loud and unrelenting and this droning, fascinating song perfectly presents his understated vocals. The other two versions really aren’t bad, but they also don’t strike me as well. They just seem unnecessary, although they are still well produced. Reznor’s music is usually (although not always) seamlessly assembled.
The Downward Spiral (The Bottom) is an incredible remix. It sounds like a horror movie soundtrack. It tells a story with at first low, horrifically pleasurable vocals. But what Coil (the producer here) does is allow the song to break new territory with wild, wispy, unpredictable, disturbing, and bizarre electronic elements that lend themselves wonderfully to the overall picture of Reznor’s ability. Seriously, if this is any reflection of Coil’s ability then I will DEFINITELY have to check them out. This song, and the equally incredible remixes of the three Eraser remixes are perfect. Reznor’s remixes just don’t get better than these three examples.
Also an improvement on the original is Reznor’s mix of Hurt. This “quiet” version is by far my favorite mix of the song. It in many ways is acoustic, peppered by guitars and only light wind sounds (a detracting factor in the original) and Reznor’s at first restrained voice. Following this is the expected building chorus—almost completely driven by that acoustic guitar and a piano. While the lyrics are certainly angry, somehow this mix shows great restraint. And this ability to still be angry without wailing uncontrollably is one thing that has always impressed me about Reznor.
Continuing on, At The Heart of It All and The Beauty of Being Numb were both created jointly by Richard D. James (aka Aphex Twin) and Trent Reznor. The droning, wailing, mechanical electronica of the song are a clear reflection of both James and Reznor, and in all the songs work well. The former is an original track, lovely and wondrous and a perfect collaboration between two highly intelligent and talented producers. And while it does grow tired after a while, it still is fine enough. The Beauty of Being Numb on the other hand reeks positively reeks creativity and brilliance. Loud and crazed to start, the songs skips over and changes to something entirely different. It is in the end a collection of remixes of different songs, first as created by Reznor and second as interpreted by Aphex Twin. Whirring beats, spooky production, and hollow bizarreness all work well together. It is hard not to love what James did for the EP and these songs.
In the end, I find myself most impressed by the contributions of Aphex Twin and Coil (not to mention Reznor himself). But the three Self Destruction remixes from Foetus aka Thirlwell are not particularly motivating. The EP on the whole is good, but not great and should only be ingested after first coming to know, love, and appreciate nine inch nails on the whole. Most definitely recommended to fans.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me Now)
02. The Art Of Self Destruction, Part One
03. Self Destruction, Part Two
04. The Downward Spiral (The Bottom)
05. Hurt (Quiet)
06. Eraser (Denial; Realization)
07. At The Heart Of It All
08. Eraser (Polite)
09. Self Destruction, Final
10. The Beauty Of Being Numb
11. Erased, Over, Out
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