Customer Reviews

The Downward Spiral : Nine inch Nails

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Nine Inch Nails' 1995 release, Further Down The Spiral, is an album of remixes of songs from the 1994 studio album, The Downward Spiral (and one original song by Aphex Twin contains brief samples taken throughout the album), and it goes without saying that you shouldn't consider this album unless you enjoyed TDS (not just "Closer"--the remixes for that song are on a separate single).

That being said, this is one of the best remix albums of all time. Most modern remix albums are nothing more than attempts to squeeze as much money as possible from the fan's pockets (i.e., Limp Bizkit's album "New Old Songs"), and thus, even the better ones, like Linkin Park's Reanimation, tend to sound rather commercial. FDTS, on the other hand, was released before remix albums were that common. Of the tracks provided, only two sound like they could be successful on commercial radio: Rick Rubin's remix of "Piggy" and Trent Reznor's remix of "Hurt" (which sounds exactly the same as the album version unless you listen very carefully). This doesn't mean that the rest of the remixes are unlistenable, it's just that the pop element that was present in TDS has been essentially removed by the remixers.

What this means is that FDTS has more appeal to fans of industrial music than to fans of alternative rock in general. The tracks are very atmospheric, and often explore various aspects of TDS's songs in greater detail. The original creation by Aphex Twin should please folks who like his brand of electronica.

In short, if you liked The Downward Spiral, and are interested in exploring the industrial aspect a little more, go for it. If not, spend your money on something you'll enjoy more.

Remix albums are often a mixed bag, invariably remixes go one of three directions-- total reinterpretations, too subtle to have any noticable difference, or dance/house/dub reconstructions. I find as a rule, I tend to prefer the former, but the material needs to have a depth of arrangement to support this, or it needs to be significantly engaging to allow a drastic change. Given that "The Downward Spiral" meets both these criteria, its little surprise that the remixes from it are quite strong-- in fact, of all the Nine Inch Nails remix material, I've found consistently high quality only amongst "The Downward Spiral" material.

Before I go on, the biggest complaint about this one is that there are tracks on here not on the UK release of "Further Down the Spiral" and vice versa. Admittedly, it'd be tight to fit them all, but for completionists, you need the UK version for four further mixes.

The remixes on here are largely exercises in mood, many of the remixes take the original moods, usually anger, paranoia, depression, and add a heavy level of anticipation to it. Take "The Art of Self Destruction, Part One" (remixed by the live Nine Inch Nails band circa 1995) or the overlong "The Downward Spiral (the bottom)" (remixed by Coil and Danny Hyde)-- both add a level of heightened anticipation to them that create a good pool of darkness from which the music can build. But even better than these moody pieces are the Aphex Twin construction "At the Heart of It All", a stunning slice of orchestral ambient darkness constructed from samples from the album (don't ask me how), the endlessly varied "Eraser" remixes from Coil/Danny Hyde, and the killer remix of "Piggy (nothing can stop me now)" by Rick Rubin, that takes the originals black mood and adds a level of aggression to it (with help of Dave Navarro's guitar) that actually surpasses the original and was added to Reznor's live set.

This is a great value as far as remix albums go, and well worth the investment for anyone who loved "The Downward Spiral".

It's an okay remix album of The Downward Spiral, but the UK version is far superior. It's better-constructed and it's more varied in the songs it draws from. A brief summary on the differences:

-"Self Destruction, Part Two" is replaced by "Part Three." I greatly prefer the latter to the former, it's fresher and besides, "Part Two" is basically a shorter version of "Final."

-"Hurt (Quiet)" is very very similar to the original, and I can't make up my mind whether it deserved to be on this album or not. It sounds more intimate for some reason. On the import, this is replaced by a live version. They're pretty much the same except for the crowd noises.

-"Eraser (Polite)" and "Erased, Over, Out" are gone. I really don't like "E,O,O" because it's so repetitive. In fast-forward, it just says "erase me" over and over on top of the same background. "E(P)" isn't very good to begin with, just a keyboard melody over sped-up lyrics.

-"The Beauty of Being Numb," a combination of a Mr Self Destruct remix and an Aphex Twin appearance, is gone. Pity, I kind of liked this one except for the Eraser outro (that's actually someone silently blowing through a tenor saxophone, by the way).

-The real advantage of the import is the addition of "Heresy (Version)" and "Ruiner (Version)" by Charlie Clouser. "H(V)" is really really cool, but it cuts off suddenly. "R(V)" is a sort of trancy dance mix-type thing, quite a deviation from the original. Very nice.

-Also, the Japanese version contains the bonus track "Reptilian" (a remix of Reptile) from the "March of the Pigs" single. If you can find this version (released by EastWest Japan) and it costs less than actually buying MOTP as well as the UK Further Down the Spiral, get it. This is my favourite remix from MOTP.

In short: it's worth paying the extra money for the import.

This is an amazing disc of reconstructions of songs from "the downward spiral." if you are into experimental electronic music, then this disc is for you ... along with every other release from nine inch nails.

here is a rundown of the tracks:

piggy - a more beat oriented, heavier version of this song. in the "chorus" section, a very fast beat and heavy guitar have been added (courtesy of dave navarro). this song is good, but is just a prelude to the greatness that is to come...

the art of self destruction pt. 1 - an instrumental track which slowly builds up in intensity and then careens to a halt. it always reminds of a train building up speed and then finally derailing and falling to pieces at the end. very good track.

the art of self destruction pt. 2 - remixed by j. thirlwell - a very cool reworking of "mr. self destruct" which highlights more of the more subtle sounds found buried beneath the guitars in the original version.

the downward spiral - reconstructed by coil - AMAZING! very ambient, psychedelic reconstruction of this song. after a short intro, the song develops into this great instrumental that sounds very bubbly, like some beautiful underwater landscape. then at the end... coil takes us through an inferno and then brings us back down to the bottom...

hurt - i actually do not listen to this song very much, and there is barely any difference between this and the version on the downward spiral...

eraser - by coil - another great song by coil... this one feature a chugging distorted guitar riff, yet still remaining quite ambient and coil-esque.

at the heart of it all - created by aphex twin - THE REASON TO BUY THIS ALBUM!!!! - i don't believe that this song actually contains anything from the downward spiral, but i could be wrong. i think this is just an original track that r.d.james submitted as a remix. anyway, this is one of my favorite songs of all time, and certainly my favorite electronic composition ever. this version is longer and much better than the version found on the aphex twin album (26 remixes for cash). this is one of the greatest songs ever written and is worth the price of the CD itself.

eraser (polite) - by coil - a short reworking of eraser, with just the lyrics and a nice sounding synth-string line. very short and very beautiful.

self destruction,final - by j. thirlwell - very similar to his other remix of this song (the art of self destruction pt. 2), except with a cool intro, and even less heavy guitar.

the beauty of being numb - the first part was created by NIN and is very noisy and crazy sounding... then it goes right into a section created by Aphex Twin, which again is amazing. a cool, mechanical type drum beat evolve over a piano playing chords to the tune of the melody at the end of "closer" and in the song "the downward spiral" - very cool.

erased.over.out - another creation by coil - very slow and ambient... not too much happens in this song unfortunately... there is no real development... so just fast forward your CD player and listen........


So, if you've read all of this and are into experimental electron music... then GET THIS CD NOW!!!!!!!

4.5 Stars

Halo 10 "Further Down the Spiral" is probably the most popular NIN remix CD as it was released during Trent Reznor's commercial and critical pinnacle, following the release of his masterpiece "The Downward Spiral" (1994).

NIN remix albums in general are usually a mixed bag. While the Halo collector may want to collect all the singles/remix CDs just for the sake of owning a complete Halo collection, and while some hard-core fans may relish everything Trent Reznor has to offer, other, more casual fans may not be interested in remix albums. "Further Down the Spiral" is really the one NIN remix album that I would recommend to hard-core and casual fans alike.

If you are expecting to hear something like "Closer" or "Head like a Hole," something with an infectious hook, "Further Down the Spiral" is most likely not going to satisfy you. But "Further Down the Spiral" has something else to offer--some of the most atmospheric, captivating music you will ever hear. While some music is just something to listen to in the background, "Further Down the Spiral" creates an aura of eerie serenity, that is paradoxically disturbing. Unlike "The Downward Spiral" it doesn't assault the senses, rather it takes hold of the listener more subtly. It's a CD to listen to in the dark when no one else is around, a CD to lose yourself in.

If you already own "The Downward Spiral," "Further Down the Spiral" is an excellent choice to purchase as a companion. If you are just a casual fan and are on the fence about what remix CDs to buy, I would recommend "Further Down the Spiral" as your first choice. If you are going to pick up any of the remix albums at all, stick with this.

"Further Down the Spiral" is, without doubt, the best of the NIN re-mix albums. It has an internal coherence unmatched by the others. Rather than serve as just a collection of alternate versions of songs from "The Downward Spiral" (arguably NIN's greatest achievement, though I think "The Fragile" edges it out slightly), it is actually more like the second of a two CD set, with the original "Spiral" as the first volume.

The coherence comes from the skillful arrangement of four remixes of one particular song - "Mr. Self Destruct" - with three remixes of "Eraser" providing a secondary theme. The "Mr. Self Destruct" songs are the four pillars that give the album its structure. They are like the four acts of an archetypal story: Introduction, Development, Crisis, and Resolution. The "Eraser" variations counterpoint them, with the other songs elaborating on various aspects of the central idea: the downward spiral of addiction.

"Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me Now)" kicks off the proceedings, with a version more carnal than the original. Women moan in the background, creating a sensual soundscape punctuated by a techno-inspired version of the chorus that sounds like reckless indulgence. The emerging rave beat is a good aural metaphor for what could be an ecstasy-soaked night of sexual abandon. The pigs are definitley marching.

Our introduction to the world of addiction continues with "The Art of Self Destruction, Part One" - the first of the "Self Destruction" variants. It begins with an insinuating sonic pulse and whispered lyrics that could be a death wish personified, lulling you to the edge of the abyss. The phrase "I control you" repeats as it builds to a crescendo.

"Self Destruction, Part Two" meets the crescendo with an unexpected explosion of blues guitar work that vaguely echos another famous rock song about pigs. But the industrial elements (rhythmic freight elevators, pounding percussion, a chorus of heavy machinery) take it into another realm entirely. Contrasting quiet passages enter with a sampled orchestral violin section to really mix things up (!)

"The Downward Spiral (The Bottom)", Reznor's ode to suicide, is a journey into the netherworld of eerie, ambient sounds, backed by a slow, halting version of a recurring melodic figure from "Closer" (which does not otherwise appear on this album, instead being reserved for its own collection of remixes). We're fully into the development section, now, exploring the self-destructive side of addiction - the "moth-drawn-to-the-flame" aspect, which is further elaborated in "Hurt." This version sounds almost identical to its original counterpart, but with cleaner guitar and vocal lines. The flame in this case is heroin, to which the song's protagonist (and Reznor himself, at one point) suffers an addiction. A mournful ballad full of regret and helplessness, "Hurt" was powerfully interpreted by Johnny Cash toward the end of his life. It's a great song - haunting, sad, and beautiful all at once.

Enter "Further Down the Spiral's" major counter-theme with the first variation on "Eraser", called "Eraser (Denial, Realization)." If Mr. Self Destruct is a personification of addiction, then Eraser is a personification of that to which one is addicted - the Bad Thing that gives you pleasure and works to destroy you at the same time. This first introduction of Eraser literally sounds like a machine getting up to speed before bursting to life with a heavy rhythm guitar backed by drawn-out screams of "Help me!". No actual lyrics are present; just a malevolent presence bringing suffering and putrefaction.

An interlude is next, an instrumental called "At the Heart of it All" - pure industrial goodness, all rhythmic clanking and compressed air hissing, with a sad synth pad underneath keeping a two-chord ostinato going.

The second "Eraser" remix follows, "Eraser (Polite)", which is quiet and matter-of fact, emphasizing the lyrics: "Need you, Dream you, Find you, Taste you/Use you, Scar you, F*** you, Break you."

Next, "Self Destruction, Final" sounds a bit like George Thorogood might if he switched from booze to speed. It's the true climax of the album, with a pounding industrial beat countered by bluesy guitar solos between bursts of frenzied lyrics. It oozes manic despair and brings the whole theme of self-destructive addiction to a head. Musically, it resembles the height of a "bad trip" - a savage, hallucinatory experience. Musically inventive, it manages to sustain itself for nearly ten minutes, building and building well past expectations, and never losing interest. It is my most often played track.

The denoument begins with "The Beauty of Being Numb." The title does not reference "Mr. Self Destruct", but the music certainly does. It begins with the groove from the previous song, but playing backwards at steadily increasing volume before abrubptly transitioning to something almost indescribable - an instrumental of loungy, muzak-like variations over a rhyhm track made up of pig grunts, electric buzzers, and some truly disgusting and very wet sounds, the origin of which I do not care to know. To me it sounds like the latter part of a drug-induced high giving way to nausea. The sounds of flies buzzing suggest the aromatic ferment of decay as the song draws to a close.

Finally, Eraser has the last say with "Erased, over. Out." If the prior track is a high turning into nausea, then this one is the sickness afterward - both the physical and mental torment of coming down and realizing you are completely helpless.

"Further Down the Spiral" is a lot more than a collection of variations on the themes of "The Downward Spiral"; it is an emotionally gripping journey of its own.

Let's face it. The Downward Spiral was one of the greatest albums of the 1990s. I'd consider The Fragile among the greatest of NIN's work (it's the modern Dark Side of the Moon), Further Down the Spiral takes The Downward Spiral-the album that pretty much put NIN on the map- to a whole new level. Thanks to Trent Reznor's brilliant musical talent, and some help by some people such as Richard D. James of Aphex Twin (the greatest techno-trance artist ever), Further Down the Spiral takes all of the Downward Spiral's strengths and magnifies them. Further Down the Spiral is less Closer (and yes, Closer is not on Further Down the Spiral) and is more of the song The Downward Spiral (there is a remix of it called The Downward Sprial (The Bottom)). It's more emotional and more in-depth than the Downward Spiral, which is pretty hard to do. If you like or love NIN's music, Further Down the Spiral is is one of the top essential CDs, if not the most essential. It is the best $7 you'll ever spend on a CD.
1. Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me Now)- 9/10
2. The Art of Self Destruction, Pt. 1- 9/10
3. Self Destruction, Pt. 2- 9.5/10
4. The Downward Spiral (The Bottom)- 10/10
5. Hurt (Quiet)- 10/10
6. Eraser (Denial: Realization)- 8/10
7. At the Heart of It All- 10/10- Richard D. James
8. Eraser (Polite)- 8/10
9. Self Destruction, Final- 10/10
10. The Beauty of Being Numb- 10/10- Richard D. James
11. Erased, Over. Out- 10/10

This is a good cd...not bad for a maxi-single and the fact that I paid 12 bux for it in the mall, just this month...6 bux is more like it. One of my favorite trax from the downward spiral album is mr. self destruct...I like how on this maxi-single, 'further down...', the cd trax: art of self destruction 1, 2 and 3 (final) are the making, the backbone, the basic trax for Mr. Self Destruct, only lenghtened to make themselves 3 separate songs...the vibrating, bassy electric guitar bit in 'final' is enuff to make the stereo self destruct....specially when it's cranked... I loved the song HURT from downard spiral the first time I heard it...then I saw the video version on CLOSURE, this version is slightly different, but still the same cool song...(I love the live version featured on the NIN tour documentary CLOSURE, trent does HURT with Mr. Space Oddity.... After 'Pretty Hate Machine', Nine Inch Nails just got/get better as the years went/go on...I'm currently enjoying the sounds from 'the fragile' as I type this review

There are already a lot of reviews of this CD, but I'd still like to weigh in with a couple different points.

First, to label "Further Down the Spiral" a "remix" album is far too limiting! There is so much new content here that it might as well be an original album. "Remix" implies that old material was somehow reworked into something new. Instead we get an entirely new song by Aphex Twin and numerous dark ambient soundscapes from members of Coil. Sure, there are some remixes, but there are also new tunes.

Speaking of Coil, this brings me to my next point. The presence of Coil, and Peter "Sleazy" Christopherson in particular, is an interesting nod to the fathers of industrial music. Christopherson was a member of the original industrial band, Throbbing Gristle, and a major innovator of experimental music - a truly creative individual. After making some albums with Throbbing Gristle he formed Coil and continued to make dark, industrial sonic masterpieces. If you like NIN, you must check these groups out - you'll see where Trent and many others found so much inspiration.

Naturally, I enjoy this CD a lot - NIN, Coil, Aphex Twin, what more could you want? I agree with other reviewers who say this is a poor introduction for newcomers. Of course you're better off with any of the albums if you're new. But for those who love NIN, industrial, or experimental music in general, check this out. It's awesome to hear Reznor collaborating with some of his heros.

I recieved this EP for Christmas, and have played it constantly for 3 days now. It is one of the best NIN remixes, and really gives a new look to the album.

1) Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me Now) - (10/10)
Awesome remix of Piggy. It has a great dance beat, and features some interesting guitar work from Dave Navarro. This track if probably the most upbeat remix on this CD.

2) The Art of Self-Destruction, Part One - (9.5/10)
Very listenable, suprisingly. The Self Destruct remixes kick ass.

3) The Art of Self-Destruction, Part Two - (10/10)
My favorite of the Self-Destruct remixes. It's great if you want to learn the lyrics to Mr. Self-Destruct. This track focuses on each verse individually, giving more feeling to the lyrics.

4) The Downward Spiral (The Bottom) - (9/10)
Mindblowing. This track is awesome. I'm amazed at what they've done with Trent's suicide poem. Very listenable.

5) Hurt (Quiet) - (10/10)
Does exactly as the name says. It takes Hurt and makes it more quiet and emotional. It changes it from an anthem of sadness to the suicide note that it was intended to be. Minor changes in the song that only die-hard fans will be able to pick out easily.

6) Eraser (Denial, Realization) - (6/10)
So-so. Very industrial, a typical Coil remix. Chugging guitars and subtle noise sequencing. Not much here.

7) At The Heart Of It All - (7/10)
This track is alright. It's not as great as everyone says. Really good instrumental, but really not as amazing as it gets credit for.

8) Eraser (Polite) - (10/10)
Interesting little track that emphasizes each word of Eraser. This track is only the first few verses with very calm background music. I love this one.

9) Self Destruction, Final - (8/10)
Very awesome remix. Shifts from mechanical mayhem to dance-style party track. Definitely gets you in an industrial mood. I like the white noise at the beginning.

10) The Beauty Of Being Numb - (7/10)
Mechanical track, very creepy manipulation of vocals.Features an interesting break around 1:45. Not for casual listeners, but good mix, all in all.

11) Erased, Over, Out - (7/10)
Spine-chilling. Hypnotic synth and Trent's slowed-down screams make this song the creepiest mix on the EP.