Amazon.com's Best of 1999: Trent Reznor took five years to record this monstrous double-CD set, wielding a perfectionist's touch in the production and the subtlety of a chainsaw in the musicianship. The result is uncompromising, full of hysterical noise and yet utterly accessible. Somehow, someway, this is one of the best pop records of the year. --Matthew Cooke
Amazon.com: The Fragile is even bleaker than 1994's The Downward Spiral as it lurches along with a perpetual scowl. A frenzied collection of buzz-saw pop, Trent Reznor's grim opus yo-yos through two CDs with scattershot intensity. Hushed one minute and explosive the next, spite and anger intermix with heartbreaking resignation, sometimes in the course of one song. Still, Reznor's dour and uncompromising approach is accessible and undeniably entertaining, even when he eschews vocals altogether. Unchanged are the obsessive lengths that he goes to for the sake of a dynamic thrill ride. The quiet tones that open the instrumental "Just Like You Imagined" suddenly erupt into a barrage of off-time rhythms and noodling keyboard riffs, all rising to a torrid conclusion. The sheer sonic invention on display here is astounding. Reznor's production approaches Brian Eno's in terms of dynamism, though it arises from a profoundly different sensibility. "Starfuckers Inc" uses chopped-up vocals for the verses and a shouting mob for its propulsive, Ministryesque chorus to mercilessly slam some of NIN's imitators (most pointedly, Marilyn Manson). And while there's nothing here as dance-floor-ready as Downward Spiral's "Closer," "Where Is Everybody" comes close, thanks to its slow, sweaty gyrations and Adrian Belew's slippery guitar figures. The Fragile's songs are ultimately simple explorations of deep disillusionment. However, once Reznor finishes twisting them out of shape, they're towering soundscapes of rage that are at once terrifying and beautiful. --Matthew Cooke
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Flawless
Trent is a pure genius. I started becoming a NIN fan after this ablum. And now NIN is my favorite band (and I listen to A LOT of bands), Trust me on this, the songs will give you new meaning to life itself.
Some might think it's difficult, but that all depends on your experience with listening to music. For example, if you are a fan of crappy bands such as Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, or Limp Bizkit... then your better off NOT getting this album. But lets say if you listen to "REAL" music, like..... Portishead, Tool, Rage Against The Machine, LCD Sound Systems, Queens of the ... Read More
Rating: - Get this album :)
This album did not get good reviews by critics when it first came out. But hey F*** the critics. They only rate love albums with five stars and mushy gushy movies with five stars. Anyways I have known about this album since it was released nearly ten years ago. Never really gave it a listen till a few months ago.
This albums is nothing short of amazing. I am assuming it took Trent a long time to make this album and all that hard time and effort paid off. Its just too bad radio did not deem many of these songs playable on the air.
After seeing a DVD-A and Super Audio ... Read More
Rating: - One of my top 5 albums.
No other main release NIN album has stuck me the way this one has. I won't speak for the mix albums. >,> It feels like listening to this album that every song on both CD's save the transition pieces are worthy of topping the charts. This isn't exactly made for radio either though. It breaks typical forms in favor of the progressive. Add to that Reznor sings with incredible energy. His latest radio play just seems simple in comparison without the climax found here.
Rating: - Masterpiece!
Simply put this is a concept album masterpiece! It flows together very poetic lyrics it also strikes emotion on the listener.
Rating: - More Great stuff from Trent Reznor
The 4th studio relase from Nine Inch Nails, and its dam good. The Downward Spiral was a hard act to follow, and it took a while but this is amazing Industrial Music from Trent Reznor the one true master of Industrial.
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