#122 Nine Inch Nails, 'The Downward Spiral' (1994)

Previously #201

The second studio album by Nine Inch Nails was sonically groundbreaking. A concept album about the downward spiral of a man, ‘Mr. Self Destruct’ to his eventual death by suicide. The album built on the sound Trent Reznor had pioneered on debut, ‘Pretty Hate Machine’ (#453), taking industrial music into the mainstream. The album was recorded at Reznor’s home studio located at 10050 Cielo Drive in Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles. What’s the significance of that address, you might wonder? Well, that’s the home at which actress, Sharon Tate was murdered by members of Charles Manson’s “Family.” The studio, called “Le Pig” and the songs ‘Piggy’ and ‘March Of The Pigs’ are all references to the fact that “Pig” was written on the front door in Tate’s blood.

Its location adds to the ominous, chilling feeling of a record filled with chaos and dischord. The album deals with concepts of religion, drugs, violence, disease and society. Surely also featuring some of the best lyrics in alternative music, “I wanna fuck you like an animal/I wanna feel you from the inside/I wanna fuck you like an animal/My whole existence is flawed/You get me closer to God.” The album is chaotic and does well to illustrate the mind of ‘Mr. Self Destruct,’ who perhaps was more Reznor than fictional character, a man who himself was grappling with depression and drug abuse. The album was nominated for two Grammys and its sound was imitated by many artists for years to come. The culmination of the album, ‘Mr. Self Destruct’s’ suicide occurs on ‘Hurt,’ the greatest cover of a Johnny Cash song ever (I’M KIDDING! I just enjoy saying that to rile up the die-hard NIN fans – nearly caused a riot at one of their concerts a few years ago). Reznor would go into recovery 7 years later and eventually reinvent himself as an Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning film composer. Reznor is one Tony Award away from joining the esteemed list of EGOT winners.

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