Customer Reviews

Head Like a Hole (Slate/Copper/Opal REMIXES) 3 track EP

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The only thing the UK version of Head Like a Hole has going for it is the Opal mix. It's the only remix during the PHM-era that strays much from the original, and it's very good. As cool as it is, it's not worth buying this single for it, unless you absolutely have to have everything Trent releases. The US version has 4 remixes of Head Like a Hole(including the other 2 on this version of the single), an instrumental version, 2 remixes of Terrible Lie, and 3 remixes of Down In It(one of which is also found on the Down In It single). The Opal Mix is the best remix of Head Like a Hole, but there's nothing else to make this version worthwhile. It even costs more than the US version does. If you must have both versions of Head Like a Hole, get the other one first.

I'm a pseudo-collector when it comes to Trent Reznor's work. I'll grab both the domestic and import versions of singles, like this one and the 'Sin' disc, but I'm not going to shell out forty bucks for the Japanese version of 'The Downward Spiral,' or a bunch more for the two disc version of 'Broken.' That said, let me say that even aside from its worth to collectors, the UK edition of 'Head Like a Hole' is worth the money. For one, it gets rid of all the filler mixes and misplaced "Down In It" and "Terrible Lie" versions that the US edition boasts. And for two, it gives us the best remix of "Head Like a Hole": the opal mix. I waited years to buy this one, and I'm kicking myself for it now... because "Head Like a Hole (Opal)" beats the living snot out of every other remix that one can find on the domestic edition of this disc. Only three tracks, yes... but they are the only essential versions of "Head Like a Hole" in my opinion. Five stars for good abridgement.

I'll put it briefly, 2 of these tracks are available on the U.S. release of Head Like a Hole, and they're probably the best two tracks on there. But, I'd recommend this one because it gets rid of 8 other so-so remixes and adds the Opal mix of Head Like A Hole. The Opal mix is pretty damned terrific. I'm glad I spent the money to add this to my collection. I'd recommend the US release if you're not a real big NIN fan, otherwise, I'd buy this one as soon as you can, because you won't be disappointed.

Well, this one gets five stars for hardcore NIN fans (like me) only, because you get the Copper and Slate mixes on the 10-track-Maxi as well. So the Opal mix (like the others remixed by Trent himself) is all that's new, but it's worth it, because it's very different from the other Head Like a Hole remixes, and very stylish. However, if you're not a total Reznor junkie, you're better of with the 10-track. If you are, you got it already and just gotta have this one as well, don't ya? Doesn't have a Halo number, by the way.

Short, maybe. But I absolutely love "Opal," which isn't available on the domestic version. This is the one NIN tends to play live nowadays, and it has appeared on some bootlegs as the "Go-go mix."

Heh. Maybe. I dunno about that.

It's pretty cool because it draws from some totally new vocal tracks, as opposed to all the other remixes available on the US version. And that "you know, you know who you are" at the end is just chilling. Really cool... if you are a reasonably avid NIN fan who has some money to throw around, this is a must.

this is a review of two different discs actually, because on the rare occasion that the second one is available on amazon, it's listed under the first one. But it's important to recognize that these two discs are different in packaging, and differ by the first two tracks out of the three tracks on each disc.

1. UK Import. This is a pretty descent single from NIN during the Pretty Hate Machine era. The domestic version runs a bit too long with very repetative material, and serves as a Pretty Hate Machine remix album more than a single. This is the single as Reznor envisioned it before TVT pushed him around. It's pretty good. the first track is listed as the 'slate' remix, but that is a misprint, it is actually the 'clay' remix, which is the version of the song seen in the video. Not very different from the album version except the bridge is at the begining. if you like the song, this is the version you've probably heard a lot of. The next track is the 'copper' mix. This is a very lively stucato reworking. It's one of the best mixes, and is actually based very closely on the ACTUAL 'slate' remix that does not appear here. the last track is the 'opal' remix. The most different mix from the original and often viewed as the best. It's partially concocted from new vocals and samples from a few Prince songs. It's good stuff.

-tracks 1 and 2 available on domestic release
-This release comes in a slimline jewelcase, the NIN symbol is yellow on pink.
-disc is yellow text on pinkish purple disc.

2. Australia Import. This is probably the best version of the single as far as music goes. it's also somewhat of a rarity now. it's one of three singles NIN has released in Australia in a card sleeve packaging. Head Like A Hole, March Of The Pigs, and Into The Void. MOTP is the rarest, ITV is the most sought after (and unbelieveably expensive) and Head Like A Hole is the least rare, but still sometimes difficult to catch. It is worth it, especially for a collector. The first track is correctly the 'slate' remix, which is the best remix of that song that exists on the domestic version. the next track is a remix of Terrible Lie, the 'sympathetic' mix, also the best remix of that song on the domestic release, and the third track is once again the 'opal' mix that is not on the domestic version. This is the best version of the single because it has the best mix of music, the best remixes of HLAH, split up with the best remix of Terrible Lie, making it more interesting than either of the other versions of this single. The only drawback is if you happen to dislike the easily damaged card sleeve packaging. I happen to think it's unique and cool (the colors are slightly more vibrant than the UK version)but some people prefer protected jewelcase packaging.

-tracks 1 and 2 available on domestic release
-this release comes in a cardboard sleeve, the NIN symbol is yellow on purple
-disc is yellow text on blue disc

A nice mix of phm songs, as it has the edit and the flood mix of head like a hole. also contains the incredible Opal mix of head like a hole, which is sooo ahead of its time, its not even funny.

Can you believe that this came out in 1989???

Anyway, this single has a special place in my heart as I picked it up very early and it was on constant rotation before my performances as an actor. Yes, I could have put on the other Maxi-single version with like, 10 Head Like A Hole versions, but the Opal version, available only here, is really fantastic.

A credible, simply brilliant song and single, worth the dough even for medium-level NIN fans...

I hate to say the exact same as everyone else... but I will anyway. Get this CD just for the "Opal Mix" - it is that good. Completely different - awesome.

Besides, look at the cover, isn't that just friggin' wild?!?!

The UK variant of "Head Like a Hole", unlike its American counterpart, is rather brief-- three mixes, two of "Head Like a Hole", one of "Terrible Lie", all mixed by Trent Reznor and Flood. There is one new track not on the American single, the opal mix, with the other two available on the US release.

The two "Head Like a Hole" mixes are fairly interesting-- the slate mix (available on the US single) is pretty straight from the original, largely changed in that the guitar on the chorus is opened up a bit and a percussive bridge (and its also probably the strongest of the US mixes). The opal mix is pretty interesting, with the song restructured (the bridge is less frequent) and with some new vocals rather than using the album vocal tracks and a completely different backing track-- it sounds entirely programmed. Its been suggested that this is a demo, that wouldn't surprise me. The included "Terrible Lie" mix is nearly identical to the album mix, excepting a brief reprise at the end of some earlier lyrics and is largely superfluous.

Overall, this is not a great value, given the depth of the US release, but the opal mix is intriguing and probably worth the investment for fans.