CD Review

It was obvious from the get-go that Nine Inch Nails wasn’t just another piece of the 90’s alternative puzzle, soon to be forgotten like Bush and their Razorblade Suitcase. Trent Reznor soon became an icon to icons, serving as an inspiration to David Bowie. Although never reciprocating the musical chameleon colors of Mr. Ziggy Stardust, Reznor and his sporadic recordings have enabled him to remain his mysteriously twisted self. Renowned for heroic songs like "Hurt," and kinky phrases like " I want to fuck you like an animal," Reznor still remains an inigma while carrying Rolling Stone magazine immortal status.

With Teeth, the first album of new material in six years from Nine Inch Nails, proves the band name still carries weight. The recording fires off with "All The Love In The World," a number that might stand against some of NIN’s finest. Reznor’s low brow scalding starts things off, but soon the song kicks into a sharp disco break, incorporating a Fat Boy Slim "Praise You" style piano riff. Keeping it real, the first radio single, "The Hand That Feeds," teases at being a hit, but never quite clenches its fist on the prize.

Foo Fighter Dave Grohl lends drum duties on the album, and lays a heavy propeller to Reznor’s anguished vocals. The album’s second half, echoes Brian Eno’s fragmented synthesizer ambient escapades, while balancing on pure heavy. "Only," with its shake your booty drum beats and squonky keyboard stabs is one of the few signs of the early 90’s "Head Like A Hole" NIN. Reznor continues the fury with the blitzkrieg pop punk of "Getting Smaller, later concluding with the piano ballad, "Right Where It Belongs." Trent Reznor’s voice still stings and hurts in the right places on With Teeth, although its hard not to wonder, aside from his recent success, if he’d still rather die than give you control.