Halo 27: The Slip
Released the same year as Ghosts, this album was given away for free via nin.com. With no mention of a traditional album being released, this came as a surprise. Similar to With Teeth, The Slip consists of some raw recordings that have a minimal quality to them. The LP is a strange mixture of everything that preceded it. A majority of it is very rock oriented, while a good number of tracks are instrumental. Similarly to With Teeth, I think this album in particular is easy to latch onto. What it has working for it is its diverse sound and hooks that are catchy as anything. Though The Slip is not a NIN album I listen to regularly, it's a notable entry into the catalog of music. I felt as though a lot of the tracks on this album really leant themselves well to a live audience. I think the way the album is arranged works in its favor as the last four instrumentals provide a nice break from the cacophony of sounds that the album inspires. With a new album due in September, I feel the NIN catalog is worth a revisit. I tend to listen to these albums at least once throughout the course of a year. I feel they've maintained their relevance today because Trent Reznor and NIN have always reflected society and have allowed me a personal escape while revisiting old feelings. It's been interesting to see a natural progression not only in the stylings of NIN, but within Trent Reznor as a person. I feel it's natural to grow apart from someone or something, but just as poignant to return to it and reminisce. That, to me, is what NIN has become. We all grow older and we all grow apart from one another, but it's only natural to gravitate towards something familiar as time progresses. What's allowed NIN to retain its relevance is acceptance among the masses, and its maturation of certain ideals right alongside the fan base. From what I've heard of Hesitation Marks, it seems to be reflective of where Reznor is currently, and that sort of honesty is more than any fan could ask for.