Ghosts I-IV : Nine Inch Nails : Review : Rolling Stone

Instrumental sets by bands are usually just footnotes (see also the Beastie Boys' The Mix-Up). But this collection of dense headphone music feels like a creative breakthrough for Trent Reznor. A new-media showpiece like Radiohead's In Rainbows, Ghosts I-IV is a self-released kiss-off to Reznor's former label, Universal, which he ditched last year after months of public feuding. You can download part of it (free) or all 1.8 hours ($5), or order it in various physical configurations (the $300 limited edition has already sold out to fanatics). Musically, Ghosts rewards close attention. The touchstone is Brian Eno's headier work: the murky instrumentals on Another Green World, the angular rhythm collages of My Life in the Bush of Ghosts. But Reznor's own hyperdetailed language defines the set: heaving synthesizers, doleful piano, alien-insect noises. There are animalistic contributions by King Crimson guitarist Adrian Belew, so the apocalyptic ambience frequently rocks. And since it's licensed with Creative Commons (the organization that redefines copyright to encourage noncommercial artistic sampling), Ghosts' awesome sound palette may soon enter the digital-music lingua franca — a gift that should keep on giving.

WILL HERMES

(Posted: Apr 3, 2008)

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Review 1 of 4

3of 5 Stars

Was the release of this album any surprise. No, absolutely not. Reznor has been making this music for this entire career He's always had his head in the clouds searching for piece of mind. At times he feels that his search will never end and all is pointless, sometimes just the journey makes life worth while. Really this is his most telling album he's ever released. When you think about it, has he ever been more open? Here he is releasing an album that would NEVER make it if he hadn't made a name for himself. He's not making pop music, he's just being as much of himself as possible. As for the album itself it's not bad. It's not the best, but its an enjoyable listen. You can't pick out too many tracks as "the best ones" but that doesn't take away anything from it. Not for those unfamiliar with typical NIN by any means.

May 11, 2008 16:55:29

Review 2 of 4

5of 5 Stars

This is definitely the must-have instrumental album of the last couple of years (although i do really like "The Mix-Up").
This is one of Reznor`s best achievements in the sense of creating suspense around the release of the album, the release of the album itself and the aftermath it caused plus the film fest he announced later on. He`s proven once again after "Year Zero" taht he knows how to make an experinece out of getting his new record and he KNOWS how to make it interesting.
The tracks themselves are extremely good-quality industrial-rock having in mind that they are the original ideas and haven`t been altered in any way so they have a very genuine feel to them.
Reznor has nothing to prove anymore, only to top himself and as pretentious as it may sound he does that too.
This album definitely keeps him on the top of the most influential and importanat artists of our time and for art itself not just the alternative culture but for pop culture too.
But the best part is that he`s yet to release more volumes of "Ghosts" and more records which for everyone is only good news.

Mar 19, 2008 05:10:30

Review 3 of 4

5of 5 Stars

I recently downloaded the free songs off of the Ghost I-IV album; let me tell you, I'm in love. The songs are amazing. Trent is a genius! Every song, you can do everything from day-dream to run along with. Sounds great and is practical.

Mar 18, 2008 15:52:02

Review 4 of 4

5of 5 Stars

I first downloaded the free sample, and that simply hooked me. I went back to nin's site, and purchased the full album. It completely blew my mind. But I think the real focus of this album is to show how much success one can have without the record label. And the fact that you can choose which format to purchase it is revolutionary. And now Trent has teamed up with YouTube for a "film Festival." Great work, Trent. You're always one step ahead.

Mar 18, 2008 15:22:16

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