Following the release of 2005's With Teeth and their most successful single to date with The Hand That Feeds, Nine Inch Nails and its leader Trent Reznor were on their way to a comeback following the commercial disappointment for 1999's The Fragile. While the initial single for The Hand That Feeds marked NIN's return as well as a new, lyrical direction Trent Reznor would explore for his next album, 2007's Year Zero. He released another single that would become his second straight #1 modern rock hit called Only.

The single for Only was released as an import by Reznor's then-label Interscope and its boss at Universal featuring a remix of The Hand That Feeds by the production team DFA and a rehearsal version of an album cut from With Teeth. Included as a CD-ROM and as a DVD single was the video for Only by David Fincher. Other various imports and promos included remixes and instrumental mixes by rapper El-P and Richard X whose mixes also appeared in the remix EP for Every Day Is Exactly The Same. While it's not as memorable as many NIN singles, the single for Only has something worthwhile for the hardcore NIN fan.

The first track in the single is the title track for Only. The industrial-funk drenched song that features a beat similar to Michael Jackson's Beat It that is followed by bass-droning synthesizer and piano melody and then a bass guitar line. The song revels into Trent Reznor's bleak psyche that is common with most of themes in his songs. The song's lyrics are filled with a man losing himself and his ability to isolate himself. The song's chorus of "There is no you, there is only me/(repeat)/There is no f*cking you, there is only me/(repeat)/Only, only, only" is definitely catching proving that Reznor still has a knack for pop hooks in a medium that is more aggressive.

The remix for The Hand That Feeds by the DFA that also appears in the Every Day Is Exactly The Same remix EP is a nine-minute, old-school techno mix with reverb synthesizers and rhythmic beats that is line with early house music. While the track features a disco-like bass in the background, it doesn't get repetitive or boring thanks to some shimmering synthesizer accompaniments and rhythmic breaks. The third and final track in the original CD single version of Only is a live, rehearsal version of Love Is Not Enough whose accompanying video appears in the DVD for Beside You in Time. The track opens with a shimmering, distorted background of beats, and then into a slow, mid-tempo track with heavy bass from Jeordie White, thundering drums from Jerome Dillon, and Reznor's snarling vocals as he sings his despaired lyrics that is later accompanied by droning guitars from Aaron North and Reznor's guitar on the chorus. It's always said that the live versions of songs by NIN are superior than the recordings and this track is no exception.

Appearing in the 12" vinyl and promo CD are five remixes for Only from rapper El-P and producer Richard X. While two of their respective remixes appeared in the Every Day Is Exactly The Same EP. Three remaining versions of those mixes appear in the promo CD. The first two mixes come from Richard X where the first is an eight-minute dub mix of Only that is a more rhythmic, dance-driven version of the song with its bass-fuzzy beats and distorted background that softens the track and then gets it back into the right volume. The mix is then followed by shimmering, chiming beats as it relies on its funky vibe. The shortened, instrumental mix of Only by Richard X is simply an edited version of the original remix. El-P's remix of Only in the promo version is simply an instrumental version with its eerie, production and ode to trip-hop with snap-like beats. Overall, these remixes are brilliant enough for the hardcore fans.

In the original single as well as a DVD single is the video for Only directed by David Fincher whose filmmaking credits include films like Se7en, Fight Club, and more recently, Zodiac. Shot in an office with an Apple laptop playing the song a desk, a Pin Art office thing comes alive with Reznor's face pressed upon it as the song becomes more intense. Forcing things in the office desk to move and such including an apple. It's truly NIN's most groundbreaking video since 1994's Closer.

Only is definitely one of the band's definitive singles and their second #1 Modern Rock hit from With Teeth. While there's tracks from the single floating around on the Internet, it's one of the hardest singles to find in record stores and since it's an import, one of the most expensive. Thanks in large part to the Universal Music Group. Fans of the song might stick to just download the song through iTunes or something else. Yet, in the end, Only is an excellent single that is a must have for any hardcore fan of Nine Inch Nails.

NIN Reviews:

Pretty Hate Machine/Broken Era (1989-1992): halo 1 - halo 2 - halo 3 - halo 4 - halo 5 - halo 6

The Downward Spiral Era (1994-1997): halo 7 - halo 8 - halo 8 DE - halo 9 - halo 10 - halo 11 - halo 12

The Fragile Era (1999-2002): halo 13 - halo 14 - halo 15.1 - halo 15.2 - halo 15.3 - halo 16 - halo 17 DE - halo 17 DVD

With Teeth/Year Zero Era (2005-2007): halo 18 - halo 19 - halo 21 - halo 22 - halo 23 - halo 24 - halo 25

Ghosts I-IV/The Slip Era (2008): halo 26 - halo 27

Miscellaneous/Soundtracks: (The Crow) - (Natural Born Killers) - (Lost Highway) - (Tomb Raider) - (The Limitless Potential) - (Strobe Light)

Promos: (seed 1) - (seed 2) - (seed 3) - (seed 4) - (seed 5) - (seed 6)

Live Shows: (NIN/Bauhaus/TV on the Radio-6/7/06 Atlanta, GA Hi-Fi Buys Amphitheater) - (NIN/Deerhunter-8/13/08 Duluth, GA Gwinnett Arena) - (NIN/Jane's Addiction/Street Sweeper Social Club-5/10/09 Atlanta, GA Hi-Fi Buys Amphitheater)

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age