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Nine Inch Nails - Still


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Basically, this is just a bonus disc given away with the limited edition of the live album "And All That Could Have Been". But it's just "basically" - because calling this release ONLY a bonus disc is the greatest crime that can be done to a Nine Inch Nails record. This album could be a separate, independent release as well as be a perfect example of how beautiful and soul-stirring music Trent Reznor can make. Ok, but what's this "Still" thing all about? It's a collection of acoustic performances, but it's greater than all MTV Unplugged gigs all together. The whole concept is also a little bit different, because we got only four known before tracks here. "Something I Can Never Have" is one of those. Without electronics, synthesizer atmospherics - just Reznor with his piano and Danny Lohner with acoustic guitar. The overwhelming blast of emotions, Reznor's shrill cry in the second chorus - all this lets us know this song in a new, even more moving dimension. After such introduction, the listener finds the all new piano instrumental "Adrift And At Peace" quite happy. The more moody dimension was also given to the acoustic version of "The Fragile". "The Becoming" lacks the sick, psychedelic beats, but it received claustrophobic tone instead. It's another opportunity to find out, how many emotions live in Reznor's vocals. The brand new instrumentals "Gone, Still" and "The Persistence Of Loss" were originally composed for a Mark Romanek's (yes, the one who made "Closer" and "The Perfect Drug" videos) movie "One Hour Photo". Both are very beautiful piano segues - the second was enriched with the sound of a horn. "The Day The World Went Away" was stripped of heavy guitars and industrial noises, making it a completely acoustic ballad. It's hard to believe, but it's even more charming in this version. And then we come to track number seven - one of two most wonderful songs Trent Reznor ever wrote. If "The Great Below" from "The Fragile" was heartbreaking, then "And All That Could Have Been" rips the heart out. It begins with a beautiful atmospheric and the sound of the wind blowing. Then we can hear the acoustic guitar with gentle industrial shredding in the background. Reznor's vocal is a bit muted, which emphasizes the claustrophobic atmosphere, so characteristic to the whole record. The lyrics are also one of the most moving, he ever wrote. I mentioned that "And All That Could Have Been" is one of two NIN's most wonderful songs - we get the second with the last track on the album. "Leaving Hope" is another piano beauty with delicate electronic backgrounds and significant silencing in the end.. It's really possible to lose all hope listening to this song. It's sad to admit that most NIN fans will never know this beautiful album. The limited edition of "AATCHB" has been sold out a while ago and it's very hard to get the separate release of "Still". Nevertheless, if you ever get any opportunity to hear this longplay, don't even try to hesitate for a second!

Tracklist:
01. Something I Can Never Have
02. Adrift And At Peace
03. The Fragile
04. The Becoming
05. Gone, Still
06. The Day The World Went Away
07. And All That Could Have Been
08. The Persistence Of Loss
09. Leaving Hope
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Translator: alucard
Add date: 2008-12-01 / Music reviews


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