lambchops's Full Review: Broken [EP] by Nine Inch Nails
I can’t help but love nine inch nails. Trent Reznor’s music has always appealed to me on it’s own level…a level completely separate from all other music and all other artists.
From my earliest experiences with Pretty Hate Machine through my recent acquisition of And All That Could Have Been, nine inch nails has provided a certain amount of catharsis. Some songs tend toward introspection and emotion while others (like those on Broken) are full of uncontrollable rage. In general, the angry ones are most personally appealing.
Broken is in reality an EP. But, unlike the majority of EP’s it’s meant to stand on its own feet and to be an experience unto itself. It’s intense, heavy, grinding, and pained. Broken ranks among the most perfect of Reznor’s works with each track improving on the ideas and movements of the last. At eight songs long (two reside at the end as “hidden” tracks), the EP is a perfect length. If it had been an entire album, I would have certainly become disconnected and less receptive to the prevalent anger and pain.
The most surprising track on Broken is without doubt Reznor’s cover of the Adam Ant post-punk, new wave song Physical (You’re So). The song is revamped, stylized, and injected with industrial to the point that it’s almost impossible to identify as that of Ant. With that said, I enjoy the heavy almost metal feel of the track. Reznor uncharacteristically (at least for this album) is restrained and somehow melodic. Physical (You’re So) is an unexpected gem.
Also hidden at the end of the EP is Suck. In typical Reznor fashion, the song thumps away with electronically produced industrial sounds. As it progresses, Reznor breaks into angered yelps and gravelly yowls. Another truly special track that would have been just as lovely had it been included in the actual body of Broken.
The six other tracks are all rather equal in quality and drive. I do however enjoy (for whatever reason) a few more than others despite the fact that Broken is overall a very worthwhile disc. Wish burrows itself deep into the soul. The frenetic pace and the almost rap-rock feel is certainly a precursor to much of the crap rock of today. However what Reznor creates on Wish is an angry, thick, relentless musical opus worth about a million listens.
Happiness in Slavery is the other song that proves itself to be most appealing. Reznor is obviously rather p*ssed off to say the least. His distorted shrieks paired with heavy and unyielding instruments (most of which are electronic) create an uneasy and out of control atmosphere. Reznor’s never sounded better, and this particular offering once again ranks among his top fifteen or so of all time.
Let me suggest that in addition to those two songs that you, listener, also feel free to explore the dank and rather unhappy surroundings of Last and Gave Up. Also, don’t forget to experience Pinion and Help Me I Am in Hell. The latter two songs are in actuality rather soft in comparison instrumental introductions/interludes to break up the noise that could otherwise become monotonous and unwieldy.
Broken is one of the most important and appealing works in the nine inch nails discography. Where Pretty Hate Machine was raw, Broken is more cleanly produced with a more purposeful goal. It’s a great bridge between that aforementioned amazing debut and 1994’s The Downward Spiral.
Soon after the release of Broken, Fixed hit shelves. As an ambitious remix album of sorts, the EP actually reinterpreted some of the songs from the first and added a few others to the mix. Of the two, Broken is the more important and overall more musically near perfection.
I do enjoy Broken it’s overall very good, although I have a softer spot in my heart for a few other nine inch nails works not the least of which is Pretty Hate Machine. Before I slap five stars on this puppy, please understand that it’s not for everybody. Reznor’s vision on Broken is pained and angst filled not to mention riddled with violence, sex, and profanity. These characteristics don’t bother me in the least…but they may not be appealing to many (if not most) listeners.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Track Listing:
1. Pinion
2. Wish
3. Last
4. Help Me I Am in Hell
5. Happiness in Slavery
6. Gave Up
98. Physical (You’re So) hidden
99. Suck hidden
On earlier releases of Broken, the final two hidden tracks were packaged on their own independent CD. Mine, on the other hand, is a later printing so the songs are burned at the end.
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