Unless you worship Death Cab For Cutie, the lyrics are presented in an intelligent enough way that even though they are straightforward, they don't feel dumbed down. There isn't any hiding behind metaphors or anything here, he comes out and says it. While I do prefer a bit more subtle approach typically, there is a lot to be said about Reznors complete honestly approach. I don't 100% know why, but listen to it and I think you'll understand. Unlike many other albums though, even when I'm not in the mood for angry music, I still can listen and love this album. This isn't an album to cry to, it's an album to plan (and then exact) revenge on your worst enemy to. Not to say that anger is the only emotion found here, as songs like "Hurt" show a much more emotional (although, still pretty pissed off) side of Reznor. Sure Strapping Young Lad may be more extreme, but I'd honestly argue that this is the angrier album. While the 90's had plenty of emotional albums, few can match the pure anger found here. However, most of the anger on PHM has been increased by pure rage. Reznor never tries to impress the listener by shoving how inhuman industrial can be, but instead humanizes it. Like with Pretty Hate Machine, it is industrial, but industrial noises always take a backseat to good songs. ![]() From the most terrifying noises ever put to vinyl (except for the 5SOS debut album) and then to lush piano. The album goes from 0-60 and then back to 0 often within the course of 5 seconds. The Downward Spiral is an exercise in juxtaposition. There is only one Nine Inch Nails, and there is only one Downward Spiral. However, none of those bands matched NIN in either popularity or quality. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Nine Inch Nails had some of the most sincere flattery ever. While it was super popular, even more impressive is the number of NIN wanna-be bands that popped up. While it wasn't exactly Thriller, to say this album was big would be an understatement. However, the Downward Spiral was another story. ![]() While Pretty Hate Machine was a cult favorite (deservedly so), it was still a cult album.
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