Nine Inch Nails – Pretty Hate Machine

Russell · February 24th, 2002, 10:56 AM

Nine Inch Nails – Pretty Hate Machine
Island CID9973 1989
By Russell Garwood

Nine Inch Nail’s (NIN) “Pretty Hate Machine” is the album primarily responsible for watering down and providing a more palatable form of industrial music to the masses. NIN’s angst-ridden pop-structured songs are catchy and, while sounding slightly dated, are still a welcome listen.

The music consists of strong looped drums throughout, plus many samples, noises, guitar and vocals. The majority of these are programmed, performed and written by Trent Reznor, the mastermind behind NIN. They create an atmospheric and downcast album, the lyrics (as always with Trent) being perfectly judged, and extremely well written; for example, “it's still getting worse after everything I tried, what if I found a way to wash it all aside, what if she touches with those fingertips, as the words spill out like fire from her lips”.

Opening with the dancey and hugely cynical “Head Like A Hole”, the mood of the album is established early, being cemented by “Terrible Lie”, with a dig at organised religion. Track 4 “Sanctify” has a tapped, catchy bass-line that sticks in your head for hours and the heart-wrenching “Something I Can Never Have” has to be one of the most depressing, and best songs on the album. Other standout tracks include the more aggressive “Sin” and the dark and hopeless “Ring Finger”.

This is a hugely influential classic which is still relevant and well worth getting, and while it may not be the best album to get if you are new to NIN, it is a necessity for fans of the band and industrial music.

The Suicider · April 11th, 2002, 07:38 PM

Ugh.. Lame music, shitty lyrics..

Russell · April 12th, 2002, 09:49 AM

if you think so

I've always liked Trents lyrics - to quote a friend, "he's angry with himself, not other people". The majority bands (generaly male), who write about their feelings (especially in metal) seem to have a grudge against everyone else, and never seem to be able to handle blame or face the consequences of their actions. It always some-one elses fault, and strikes me as pathetic

Trent doesn't work like that...

Musical taste is, of course, entirely subjective, but I love NIN's music throughout their career

even "The Fragile"

Give it a try, you may be surprised

RINGFINGER · April 19th, 2002, 02:49 PM

I think this album is fantastic!!!!

dill_the_devil · April 29th, 2002, 09:43 AM

Whaddaya mean EVEN The Fragile? I've always thought that was the best album! And, yes, I have heard all the others - including both versions of Further Down The Spiral.

But I still won't listen to gabba!

Russell · May 6th, 2002, 04:06 AM

The Fragile is generally accepted as their least accessible

So I wouldn't reccommend it as a first album

Twas my first and favourite, but I know it isn't for many, hence the "even the fragile"

\G/ Ultraviolence \G/

Edgecrusher · February 16th, 2003, 09:10 PM

I really liked 'Pretty Hate Machine' (and still do to this day).

But for some reason (and I know a lot of NIN fans won't like this) I did not like 'Downward Spiral' one single bit, with the exception of "Closer".

retardgirl · May 9th, 2003, 02:04 PM

"Pretty Hate Machine" is an ok album by NIN. However Trent Rezoner has a habit of being a whining bastard sometimes. Some of the songs on "Pretty Hate Machine" start to sound the same after awhile. If you're just getting into NIN you're probably better getting "And all that could have been" even though it's live (and off key in places) it's got some of the best tracks on there. Otherwise i would just reccommend downloading selected tracks off the net.

neal · September 4th, 2003, 07:01 PM

kmfdm is better.
-neal

S_bitch · September 5th, 2003, 01:22 PM

It's "Terrible Lie" Not tell a liel

Russell · September 5th, 2003, 01:31 PM

Good point

NAD · September 8th, 2003, 12:02 PM

I love the album, but it's still my least favorite NIN. Sin is one of Trent's best songs though, hinted at where he would be going in the future...

Valhallen · January 4th, 2004, 08:07 PM

Pretty Hate Machine is pretty cool. I've liked this band from the first time I saw their video 'Head Like A Hole' on MTV back in 1990. As good as this album is, I enjoy the 'Broken' ep more!

Immortal Curse · January 22nd, 2004, 11:26 AM

NIN is a good industrial metal band. Ive been listening to them for about 2 years now. I only have their live collection though.

Steve · January 24th, 2004, 09:55 AM

I beat all of you in NIN collections. I have original sealed copies of all 17 holes except 1, and this includes the special edition double halo 17

But why are people still diggin up old reviews?

RabidWarfare · February 19th, 2004, 06:40 PM

yep i do agree reznor did heavily influence the genre. i recommend all NIN studio albums and the DVD.

Ratatosk · August 20th, 2004, 09:33 AM

I think Pretty Hate Machine is a great album. And the live albums are also very atmospheric.

kleo706 · August 24th, 2004, 11:05 AM

I have the Happiness in Slavery advance VIP promo 12". THe best part is I don't even LIKE the band.

NAD · August 25th, 2004, 06:09 PM

I'll take it off your hands if you wish to clear your collection of music you don't like.

thespectralsorrows · October 28th, 2004, 11:40 AM

This is the only NIN CD I really liked and it's very good. Downward Spiral was okay, but too annoying for me. Pretty Hate Machine is a classic really.

Protected Witness · November 8th, 2004, 12:13 AM

I remember listening to this album when I was a little kid. Nine Inch Nails was the first concert I ever went to, back in 1995.

OctoberEthereal · November 28th, 2004, 02:20 PM

PHM is my top album of all time. Not just NIN album, but out of all albums that ever existed. It is amazing.

MG · December 3rd, 2004, 11:43 AM

I love it and can listen to it over and over again!

redaV_htraD · December 10th, 2004, 10:08 AM

NIN are gay.
They are doing shows in West Hollywood, CA at gay dance clubs this month.

C11 H17 N2 O2 S Na · March 1st, 2005, 08:32 PM

Not my favorite kind of music, although it has been in my collection since it's '89 release (I was 10 yrs old at the time). Now and again I may pull one of his albums out but I prefer 'Downward Spiral'. As far as PHM goes my 2 favorite tracks are 'Sin' and 'That's What I Get'. These ones have my favorite lyrics from the album. I also like the latter because it's the only time you hear that type of sound come out of NIN. Had it been the formula he stuck with I wouldn't care for it as much.