It's interesting to hear someone's perspective that was a little bit older in '94. I was 17, dealing with depression and TDS was pure gold to me, especially having listened to PHM and Broken/Fixed so many times before TDS came out. My older brother got me into them around the time PHM came out and we didn't have cable/mtv growing up, so seeing them explode in popularity was kind of surreal not unlike Metallica's mainstream success in '91. I had no idea Closer was even a video hit until all the normies jumped on the bandwagon. Some random things I remember from back then - Big Man with a Gun is allegedly a critique on gangsta rap which is why the lyrics are so graphic. A Warm Place is very similar to a song on David Bowie's Low album, which I didn't hear until a few years ago but I was kind of shocked how similar it is. A Violet Fluid was an extension of Reptile(or at least it is in mind, I could be wrong) Trent said he didn't like Ruiner but as an angry teen I loved it. Anyway, I can guess why you didn't really get into them after that, it sounds like you were well into building a life and family, and NIN didn't really lend itself to happy times. That being said I don't think Trent ever really topped that era of NIN. I think there was a quote of him saying The Fragile was what he thought everyone wanted to hear but maybe that was just a rumor. The Fragile does have some killer tracks though and it's worth revisiting imo even if it is way too long. With Teeth is kinda like the link between old NIN and newer NIN to me, also worth checking out. Sorry to write so much lol. Thanks for sharing your experience. Also I totally agree with the book burning and moral majority nonsense that we can't seem to overcome as a society.
What I remember about the concert: I was about 21, but I felt like the oldest person there, with the kids in front of us asking each other “is this Closer?” at the start of every song. I remember thinking Marilyn Manson was lame so we missed part of the set. But part way through that maybe I didn’t hate them. The Jim Rose Circus was the middle act. One of the stunts was a guy who stuffed himself through a tennis racquet. I also left the ticket for my best friend at home and he missed the show. It was my first concert in a larger arena and I have to say it left me a little flat. Sonically it was impressive, but I never lost myself in the performance. I was always fully self-aware/self-conscious, which when you are looking around and seeing everyone else losing their minds, is a big buzz kill. (Not a reflection on NIN’s performance. Eventually I’d learn it was just me being me… and I gave up going to concerts)
totally with you on nin, almost to a t. jumped off for the fragile and came back in the later years. have to say, the recent tours have been great. seeing nin at boston calling a few years ago was essentially a cathartic primal screaming session after the covid void of concerts. also went to the cleveland show - couldnt miss that lineup and what a venue! we had lower pavs, but off to the side. was great to see ministry with the fencing and maybe the last time we'll see nitzer ebb with both members performing. personally, as i got a bit older and less angsty, i wasnt identifying with the music as much - in particular trents voice, which went from identifiable to whiny. pretty sure that was the reasoning behind jumping off. that said, im back now - the music is his expression, not mine. as for my shiny new copy of the fragile on vinyl... still unplayed.
Great video, as usual. I didn’t get into NIN until later in life, after a bit of a crisis of faith. This album was on repeat during those days. For one, it was something I would have felt too uncomfortable listening to when I was younger, but now it was an experimentation. I didn’t relate to the thoughts of suicide per se, but metaphorically getting rid of my past self fit with that part of the feeling of the album. Still one of my favourite albums ever. If you are familiar with iximusic ‘s youtube channel, she did a review of each of the songs on the album. Some of the best stuff put on RUclips for a NIN fan like myself. Might be worth checking out.
Great episode! I was in high school when this album came out. The Fragile came out my last year in college and I bought it when it came out. I thought it was ok at the time. It felt a bit overindulgent as a double cd. I didn’t really appreciate it until years later when I revisited the album (spurred on by hearing Somewhat Damaged on an episode of The Walking Dead 😂) and now it is probably my favorite NIN album.
I just assumed it was a Nautilus (which is what immediately came to mind with “spiral”) despite the fact that it didn’t look right for a nautilus shell.
The Closer sleeve is definitely a millipede (the giveaway is the back cover) so I assumed the print on the TDS disc was the same. Btw, I personally think the Closer sleeve is superior to the album sleeve. I remember first seeing it, like, damn, that’s amazing.
I like the format, I'm surprised you dont have more subs. Here's a little tickle for the algorithm.
Thank you, good sir. I appreciate it!
It's interesting to hear someone's perspective that was a little bit older in '94. I was 17, dealing with depression and TDS was pure gold to me, especially having listened to PHM and Broken/Fixed so many times before TDS came out. My older brother got me into them around the time PHM came out and we didn't have cable/mtv growing up, so seeing them explode in popularity was kind of surreal not unlike Metallica's mainstream success in '91. I had no idea Closer was even a video hit until all the normies jumped on the bandwagon.
Some random things I remember from back then - Big Man with a Gun is allegedly a critique on gangsta rap which is why the lyrics are so graphic.
A Warm Place is very similar to a song on David Bowie's Low album, which I didn't hear until a few years ago but I was kind of shocked how similar it is.
A Violet Fluid was an extension of Reptile(or at least it is in mind, I could be wrong)
Trent said he didn't like Ruiner but as an angry teen I loved it.
Anyway, I can guess why you didn't really get into them after that, it sounds like you were well into building a life and family, and NIN didn't really lend itself to happy times. That being said I don't think Trent ever really topped that era of NIN. I think there was a quote of him saying The Fragile was what he thought everyone wanted to hear but maybe that was just a rumor. The Fragile does have some killer tracks though and it's worth revisiting imo even if it is way too long. With Teeth is kinda like the link between old NIN and newer NIN to me, also worth checking out.
Sorry to write so much lol. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Also I totally agree with the book burning and moral majority nonsense that we can't seem to overcome as a society.
What I remember about the concert: I was about 21, but I felt like the oldest person there, with the kids in front of us asking each other “is this Closer?” at the start of every song. I remember thinking Marilyn Manson was lame so we missed part of the set. But part way through that maybe I didn’t hate them. The Jim Rose Circus was the middle act. One of the stunts was a guy who stuffed himself through a tennis racquet. I also left the ticket for my best friend at home and he missed the show. It was my first concert in a larger arena and I have to say it left me a little flat. Sonically it was impressive, but I never lost myself in the performance. I was always fully self-aware/self-conscious, which when you are looking around and seeing everyone else losing their minds, is a big buzz kill. (Not a reflection on NIN’s performance. Eventually I’d learn it was just me being me… and I gave up going to concerts)
Thanks! Your recall is much better than mine.
Trent said big man with a gun was kind of a joke at gangsta rap. He also said if he were to make this album again, he'd not include that track.
Wow, that's so weird.
totally with you on nin, almost to a t. jumped off for the fragile and came back in the later years. have to say, the recent tours have been great. seeing nin at boston calling a few years ago was essentially a cathartic primal screaming session after the covid void of concerts.
also went to the cleveland show - couldnt miss that lineup and what a venue! we had lower pavs, but off to the side. was great to see ministry with the fencing and maybe the last time we'll see nitzer ebb with both members performing.
personally, as i got a bit older and less angsty, i wasnt identifying with the music as much - in particular trents voice, which went from identifiable to whiny. pretty sure that was the reasoning behind jumping off. that said, im back now - the music is his expression, not mine.
as for my shiny new copy of the fragile on vinyl... still unplayed.
I've been on the Thirlwell/Foetus grindset lately, and I'm loving the stuff. Perhaps you could make a video about one of the Foetus albums?
Great video, as usual. I didn’t get into NIN until later in life, after a bit of a crisis of faith.
This album was on repeat during those days. For one, it was something I would have felt too uncomfortable listening to when I was younger, but now it was an experimentation. I didn’t relate to the thoughts of suicide per se, but metaphorically getting rid of my past self fit with that part of the feeling of the album.
Still one of my favourite albums ever.
If you are familiar with iximusic ‘s youtube channel, she did a review of each of the songs on the album. Some of the best stuff put on RUclips for a NIN fan like myself. Might be worth checking out.
Thanks for the tip! I'll check it out.
I Found yoooouuuuu :) your music is great! worth having to dig a little for :))
Awesome! Thank you!
The a cappella albums you made are amazing! I really like the ‘You Give Love a Bad Name’ cover.
Glad you dig them! My bandmate thought it was a terrible idea but I insisted.
Great episode! I was in high school when this album came out. The Fragile came out my last year in college and I bought it when it came out. I thought it was ok at the time. It felt a bit overindulgent as a double cd. I didn’t really appreciate it until years later when I revisited the album (spurred on by hearing Somewhat Damaged on an episode of The Walking Dead 😂) and now it is probably my favorite NIN album.
TIL: it is a millipede printed on the disc.
I just assumed it was a Nautilus (which is what immediately came to mind with “spiral”) despite the fact that it didn’t look right for a nautilus shell.
The Closer sleeve is definitely a millipede (the giveaway is the back cover) so I assumed the print on the TDS disc was the same. Btw, I personally think the Closer sleeve is superior to the album sleeve. I remember first seeing it, like, damn, that’s amazing.
❤
Stay off the soapbox.