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REVIEW – 29 years ago. Music was in a different place. MTV respected the art form and even created shows to compliment it. We had “Yo MTV Raps” to showcase the rap scene. We had “Headbangers Ball” to compliment the metal scene. We had “120 Minutes” to compliment the alternative scene. When Pretty Hate Machine came out, it was hard to categorize NINE INCH NAILS. They had videos on Headbangers Ball and 120 Minutes. It seemed like the stars were all aligned. When the cd started to take off and catch the masses, we had festivals such as Lollapalooza that were groundbreaking and revolutionary. Outlets that put different music together with trying to raise awareness of social issues and the rights we as Americans take for granted like the right to vote. Live at the Right Track was the demos that would lead up to the Pretty Hate Machine cd. Trent was working at Right Track Studio helping out in chores, his pay would include being able to use the studio to make music. This demo cd is Trent doing all the instruments (exception being the drums). If you are a NINE INCH NAILS fan, like I am, this cd is a must. I found out that “Ringfinger” was originally “Twist”. You can truly feel the pain he was originally going for with the song.
This cd clocks in at a little under an hour and it is such a must have. The early versions of these songs are so bleak and raw. I know in this day and age, it is so easy to hate on Trent and NIN. No offense, show me people in my age bracket who will knock Pretty Hate Machine and call themselves a music fan after that bullshit comment. I remember Rolling Stone magazine referring to them as a “Ministry knockoff”. I am a fan of Al, but no offense Ministry has created some classic cds but they do not touch Pretty Hate Machine. I feel Trent is his own worst enemy with his perfectionist ways. It took him 5 years to follow it up with Downward Spiral. I know people will say Broken and Fixed are follow ups, but they were EP’s. I own all the NIN cds, but I tend to not go past Downward Spiral for fear of my anger of how bad Trent sold out. To think this cd was made 30 years ago, showcases how music used to be so personal and emotional. Today, it feels like artists forget that they have audiences but instead feel that their name or band is a magnet for hateful comments. To see that the band has survived this long speaks volumes. To go back to the start was such a welcome cd. This cd is just raw, emotional and at times very amazing as to what the vision was.
NINE INCH NAILS ‘Live At The Right Track: 1988 Broadcast Cleveland, Ohio’
1. Down In It 4:02
2. Suck I 5:27
3. Supernaut 6:28
4. Down In It II 3:56
5. Twist 4:48
6. Suck II 3:49
7. Head Like A Hole 5:25
8. Sanctified 5:44
9. Down In It III 4:34
10. Wish 3:59
11. Kinda I Want To 4:43
12. Head 5:50
13. Down In It IV 4:09
14. Sin 3:35
