Albums of the Month

I bought this CD about three weeks ago and it hasn't left my car stereo since. For anyone that knows what it's like driving with me, you know I usually switch from iPod, to my phone, and sometimes CD's. The only time I throw a CD in is if I'm in love with an album at the time. I'm still waiting for the day to come where I'm sick and tired of hearing it, but it doesn't seem like it's coming any time soon at this rate.

For those of you who actually read this blog and check out the things I post about being in love with, there's a bit of history behind this album. The collaborations, stories, and background behind ohGr are almost endless. With all of this starting all the way back to 1982 with Skinny Puppy and branching out into several collaborations and side projects for the next few decades including Throbbing Gristle members, Ministry, ect.. This album sounds like it's from a completely different planet than all the 3,493 projects before this. It's VERY poppy and dare I say upbeat? It's certainly not a radio pop record, but it will certainly catch those used to hearing the grinding roar of Skinny Puppy off guard.

This was an album Woods turned me onto back in.. 2007ish? He told me I'd like them and at the time was dying to hear something new. I bought the CD for about $14 at My Mind's Eye without hearing even a sample of what they sounded like and I absolutely loved it. They were in my car (like the CD I just told you about above) for weeks upon weeks without ever changing to anything else. It was everything I loved. It was technical, catchy, well written and produced. It was weird enough to be able to hear something new every time yet catchy enough that each listen felt fresh and new.

It's a shame that the drummer died before this band could really expand. They did however release an album after his death with some recordings the drummer had done prior to his death. The album was retarded and I don't think you should even bother listening to it. This is definitely a band that has a magical chemistry live. It wasn't pulled off quite as sharp trying to add a live sound to previously recorded material.

-Novak

My extended thoughts on NIN touring again

As most of you know, I'm mildly obsessed (to say the very least) with Nine Inch Nails. I probably know more about the band and and Trent than Trent himself. You also may know that I have gone to well over 20 shows of theirs, including the "very last" three NIN shows in LA. When I found out that they were "starting from scratch" (with two old members) and extensively touring again - a simple facebook status would not suffice..

The very last shows of the "Wave Goodbye Tour" took place at the Wiltern in Los Angeles, which was SUPPOSED to be the last time NIN was on stage ever again was absolutely magical. There were guest appearances by almost 20 collaborators over the years, including old live members, studio musicians, and friends. The club was wall to wall with screaming and admiring fans of all ages. I lost my voice and hearing within the first song. The tour was the "Wave Goodbye Tour" for obvious reasons. He had mentioned in several interviews that he didn't want to keep touring songs he didn't feel as connected to lyrically anymore, that he never wanted to treat it as a job. He said he would more than likely tour again, just not as NIN. He also added he had several projects he wanted to do outside of NIN, one which was becoming a family man. I had nothing but respect for the man when he stated these things. 

So after NIN "broke up" he did some pretty amazing soundtrack work, and then pulled an electronic "Wings" and started "How to Destroy Angels" with his producer and wife. How to Destroy Angels is by far the worst music I have ever heard him be involved with. They used some of the coolest, most unique instruments I've ever seen to make some of the worst music I've ever heard. Not much more to say about that..

So after Trent realized "Oh shit, I called that last tour Wave Goodbye, didn't I?" he waves hello and ventures back on the road with the band he just claimed had run it's course. Jackass! Now to those that aren't aware, NIN would ALWAYS have at least 3-4 years in between records and touring. So the fact that he "waited a while" to tour again is complete bullshit. The dude got fuckin bored and broke and wants to tour again. Which honestly, if I could tour in a successfull band like that, I'd be bored as shit at home, too! Just be careful before you make such a bold statement for a few years about how NIN as a live band is done, call out other bands who have done "goodbye" tours and how yours is so legit..

Now to be fair, I will absolutely make every single show of theirs that I can, especially considering one of my all time favorite guitarist will be in this lineup, Adrien Belew. I'm HOPEFUL that this whole "starting from scratch" thing means 100% new material. Nine Inch Nails will forever be that band that I hear about and it feels like someone's talking about my own band. Something I always respected about this band was always the hoensty and goal of doing things a little differently than most acts. Seeing how the tour hasn't happened yet, there is still a chance that this shit will blow me away, especially with the lineup he has this time around, but we'll see..

-Novak