In diverse occasioni ti hanno definito l'uomo che ha reso l'industrial ascoltabile per il pubblico pop. È vero, o lo consideri limitante?
«È un'etichetta di cui sono stato molto fiero per un po'. Di molti gruppi con cui sono cresciuto, Cabaret Voltaire, Throbbing Gristle, Coil, Ministry, Skinnypuppy, Test Dept, i Neubaten, apprezzavo il suono, l'aggressività e il fatto che non fosse musica rock per chitarre, come certo metal. Non mi sono messo a pensare a un modo per prendere quelle cose e inserirle in un contesto pop. Quando ho cominciato a scrivere musica, mi sono reso conto che avevo i ritornelli dentro di me. Cominciando a scrivere canzoni, ho preso gli elementi che mi piacevano dalla musica che preferivo, ma avevo ereditato anche il rispetto per la melodia e il contenuto dei testi. Così, quello che ne è uscito sono canzoni pop arrangiate in modo più duro ed elettronico. Penso che questo abbia generato una nuova ondata di gruppi e di etichette discografiche in America. Per me comunque, si possono definire industrial cose come i Throbbing Gristle, musica più sperimentale e rumorosa.» Trent Reznor
In una ipotetica dialettica hegeliana in cui la melodia classica fosse tesi e la destrutturazione operata dall'industrial antitesi, Trent Reznor sarebbe la giusta sintesi (e per una corretta interpretazione del termine, in caso ve ne fosse bisogno, vi rimando al manuale di filosofia Abbagnano\Fornero :D)... la musica che esce da questa mente supera il conflitto conciliando la verità di entrambi gli opposti ad un livello superiore.
Diventare consapevoli di quanto ho appena detto dipende dalla sensibilità dell'ascoltatore che può rendersene conto in questo "Pretty Hate Machine" dove gli echi degli ascolti giovanili sono sicuramente più evidenti che nell'ultimo halo dove la riflessione risulta facilitata dal sound prevalentemente "meditativo".
Le prime quattro canzoni che incontriamo, se escludiamo "Down In It", possono essere elette a manifesto di ciò che mi ha colpito di più ascoltando i NIN: l'intelligente e personalissimo stile nell'interpretare suoni e ritmi tipicamente industrial, l'incredibile capacità di creare melodie straordinariamente emotive senza il minimo utilizzo di una chitarra, i temi della corruzione dell'animo umano, del mondo e in particolare dell'amore. Amore visto dall'alto in basso come in "Something I Can Never Have" in cui il disprezzo e il materialismo sono i temi portanti:
"I just want something. | I just want something I can never have | I just want something I can never have | think I know what you meant. | That night on my bed. | Still picking at this scab | I wish you were dead. | You sweet and perry ellis. | Just stains on my sheets" e amore visto con impotenza come in "Sanctified":
"Heaven's just a rumor she'll dispel | As she walks me through the nicest parts of hell. | I still dream of lips | Never should have never kissed. | Well she knows exactly what I can't resist | I'm just caught up in another of her spells. | She's turning me into someone else. | Everyday I hope and pray this will end. | But when I can I do it all again."
Quasi tutto l'album si svolge attorno a questo tema ma i toni e i testi diventano più doloranti, malati e alienati. Alienazione nei confronti di Dio in cui "l'uomo" ha riposto (o per meglio dire alienato) tutto se stesso "Hey God, there's nothing left for me to hide. | I lost my ignorance, security and pride. | I'm all alone in a world you must despise. | Hey God, I believed that promises, your promises and lies" è il tema di "Terrible Lie" che è forse la canzone che amo di più in questo album.
Elenco tracce testi e video
01 Head Like a Hole (05:01)
God money, I'll do anything for you
God money, just tell me what you want me to
God money, nail me up against the wall
God money, don't want everything he wants it all
No, you can't take it
No, you can't take it
No, you can't take that away from me
No, you can't take it
No, you can't take it
No, you can't take that away from me
Head like a hole
Black as your soul
I'd rather die than give you control
Head like a hole
Black as your soul
I'd rather die than give you control
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
God money's not looking for the cure
God money's not concerned about the sick among the pure
God money let's go dancing on the backs of the bruised
God money's not one to choose
No, you can't take it
No, you can't take it
No, you can't take that away from me
No, you can't take it
No, you can't take it
No, you can't take that away from me
Head like a hole
Black as your soul
I'd rather die than give you control
Head like a hole
Black as your soul
I'd rather die than give you control
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
Head like a hole
Black as your soul
I'd rather die than give you control
Head like a hole
Black as your soul
I'd rather die than give you control
Head like a hole
Black as your soul
I'd rather die than give you control
Head like a hole
Black as your soul
I'd rather die than give you control
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
Bow down before the one you serve
You're going to get what you deserve
02 Terrible Lie (04:38)
[Hey God] Why are you doing this to me?
Am I not living up to what I'm supposed to be?
Why am I seething with this animosity?
[Hey God] I think you owe me a great big apology
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
[Hey God] I really don't know what you mean
Seems like salvation comes only in our dreams
I feel my hatred grow all the more extreme
[Hey God] Can this world really be as sad as it seems?
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Don't take it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't take it away from me, I need someone to hold on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need someone to hold on to
Don't tear it away from me, I need you to hold on to
Don't tear it, don't tear it, don't tear it, don't tear it, don't
[Hey God] There's nothing left for me to hide
I lost my ignorance, security and pride
I'm all alone in the world you must despise
[Hey God] I believed your promises, your promises and lies!
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
Terrible lie
You made me throw it all away
My morals left to decay
How many you betray
You've taken everything
Terrible lie
My head is filled with disease
My skin is begging you please
I'm on my hands and knees
I want so much to believe
I need someone to hold on to
I need someone to hold on to
I need someone
I need someone to hold on to
I give you everything
My sweet everything
Hey God, I really don't know who I am
In this world of piss
03 Down in It (03:48)
Going down in it [2x]
Kinda like a cloud I was up way up in the sky
And I was feeling some feelings you wouldn't believe
Sometimes I don't believe them myself
And I decided I was never coming down
Just then a tiny little dot
Caught my eye it was just about too small to see
But I watched it way too long
It was pulling me down
I was up above it [2x]
Now I'm down in it
I was up above it [2x]
Now I'm down in it
Shut up!
So what, what does it matter now?
I was swimming in the haze now I crawl on the ground
And everything I never liked about you is kinda seeping into me
Try to laugh about it now but isn't it funny how everything works out
"I guess the joke's on me," she said
I was up above it [2x]
Now I'm down in it
I was up above it [2x]
Now I'm down in it
I used to be so big and strong!
I used to know my right from wrong!
I used to never be afraid!
I used to be somebody!
I used to have something inside!
Now just this whole that's open wide!
I used to want it all!
I used to be somebody..
I'll cross my heart I'll hope to die
But the needle's already in my eye
And all the world's weight is on my back
And I don't even know why
What I used to think was me
Is just a fading memory
I looked him right in the eye and said "Goodbye"
I was up above it [2x]
Now I'm down in it [2x]
I was up above it [2x]
Now I'm down in it
I was up above it [2x]
Now I'm down in it
I was up above it
Rain rain go away come again some other day [4x]
I was up above it [2x]
Now I'm down in it ... nenene
I was up above it
Now I'm down in it
04 Sanctified (05:50)
Its still getting worse after everything I tried
What if I found a way to wash it all aside
What if she touches with those fingertips
As the words spill out like fire from her lips
If she says come inside, I'll come inside for her
If she says give it all, I'll give everything to her
I am justified
I am purified
I am sanctified
Inside you
Heaven's just a rumor she'll dispel
As she walks me through the nicest parts of hell
I still dream of lips I never should have kissed
Well she knows exactly what I cant resist
If she says come inside, I'll come inside for her
If she says give it all, I'll give everything to her
I am justified
I am purified
I am sanctified
Inside you
I'm just caught up in another of her spells
Well shes turning me into someone else
Every day I hope and pray that this will end
But when I can, I do it all again
And if shes says come inside, I'll come inside for her
And if she says give it all, I'll give everything to her
I am justified
I am purified
I am sanctified
Inside you
I am justified
I am purified
I am sanctified
Inside you
05 Something I Can Never Have (05:54)
I still recall the taste of your tears
Echoing your voice just like the ringing in my ears
My favorite dreams of you still wash ashore
Scraping through my head till I don't want to sleep anymore
You make this all go away, you make this all go away
I'm down to just one thing, I'm starting to scare myself
You make this all go away, you make this all go away
I just want something, I just want something I can never have
You always were the one to show me how
Back then I couldn't do things that I can do now
This thing is slowly taking me apart
Grey would be the color if I had a heart
Come on, tell me
You make this all go away, you make this all go away
I'm down to just one thing, I'm starting to scare myself
You make this all go away, you make it all go away
I just want something, I just want something I can never have
In this place it seems like such a shame
Though it all looks different now, I know it's still the same
Everywhere I look you're all I see
Just a fading fucking reminder of who I used to be
Come on, tell me
You make this all go away, you make this all go away
I'm down to just one thing, I'm starting to scare myself
You make this all go away, you make this all go away
I just want something, I just want something I can never have
I just want something I can never have
06 Kinda I Want To (04:35)
I can't shake this feeling from my head
there's a devil sleeping in my bed
he's watching you from across the way
I cannot make this feeling go away
I know it's not the right thing
and I know it's not the good thing
but kinda I want to [x2]
I'm not sure of what I should do
when every thought I'm thinking of is you
all of my excuses turn to lies
maybe God will cover up his eyes
and I know it's not the right thing
and I know it's not the good thing
but kinda I want to [x4]
kinda I want to, maybe just for tonight
we can pretend it's alright
what's the price I pay
I don't care what they say
I want to [x8]
07 Sin (04:05)
You give me the reason, you give me control
I gave you my purity, my purity you stole
Did you think I wouldn't recognize this compromise?
Am I just too stupid to realize?
Stale incense, old sweat and lies, lies, lies
It comes down to this, your kiss, your fist, and your strain
It gets under my skin, within, take in the extent of my sin
You give me the anger, you give me the nerve
Carry out my sentence, will I get what I deserve?
I'm just an effigy to be disgraced, to be defaced
Your need for me has been replaced
And if I can't have everything, well, then just give me a taste
It comes down to this, your kiss, your fist, and your strain
It gets under my skin, within, take in the extent of my sin
You give me the reason, you give me control
I gave you my purity and my purity you stole
Did you think I wouldn't recognize this compromise?
Am I just too stupid to realize?
Stale incense, old sweat and lies, lies, lies
It comes down to this, your kiss, your fist, and your strain
It gets under my skin, within, take in, well, my sin
It comes down to this, your kiss, your fist, and your strain
It gets under my skin, within, take in the extent of my sin
08 That's What I Get (04:30)
just when everything was making sense
you took away all my self-confidence
now all that I've been hearing must be true
I guess I'm not the only boy for you
but that's what I get
that's what I get
that's what I get
that's what I get
how could you turn me into this?
after you just taught me how to kiss, you
I told you I'd never say goodbye
now I'm slipping on the tears you made me cry
but that's what I get
that's what I get
that's what I get
that's what I get
why does it come as a surprise
to think that I was so naive
maybe didn't mean that much
but it meant everything to me
but that's what I get
that's what I get
that's what I get
that's what I get
09 The Only Time (04:49)
I'm drunk
And right now I'm so in love with you
And I don't want to think too much about what we should or shouldn't do
Lay my hands on Heaven and the sun and the moon and the stars
While the devil wants to fuck me in the back of his car
Nothing quite like the feel of something new
Maybe I'm all messed up [2x]
Maybe I'm all messed up in you
Maybe I'm all messed up [3x]
Maybe I'm all messed up in you
Maybe I'm all messed up
This is the only time I really feel alive [2x]
I swear
I just found everything I need
The sweat in your eyes the blood in your veins are listening to me
Well I want to wrap it up and swim in it until I drown
My moral standing is lying down
Nothing quite like the feel of something new
Maybe I'm all messed up [2x]
Maybe I'm all messed up in you
Maybe I'm all messed up [3x]
Maybe I'm all messed up in you
Maybe I'm all messed up
This is the only time I really feel alive [2x]
Maybe I'm all messed up in you
This is the only time I really feel alive [4x]
10 Ringfinger (05:40)
Well, you've got me working so hard lately
Working my hands until they bleed
If I was twice the man I could be
I'd still be half of what you need
Still you lead me and I follow
Anything you ask you know I'll do
This one act of consecration
Is what I ask of you
CHORUS:
Ringfinger, promise carved in stone, deeper than the sea
Ringfinger, sever flesh and bone and offer it to me
You just leave me nailed here
Hanging like Jesus on the cross
I'll be dying for your sins
And aiding for the cause
CHORUS
Wrap my eyes in bandages
Confessions I see through
I get everything I want
When I get part of you
CHORUS
Ringfinger, promise carved in stone, deeper than the sea
Ringfinger, devil's flesh and bone, do something for me
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Altre recensioni
Di Loudmouth
Se Pretty Hate Machine non vi piace, probabilmente dovete solo alzare il volume.
Io sono in disaccordo su un dettaglio essenziale: per me non ci sono 'musicisti furbetti', ci sono solo cialtroni o gente che ci spiazza perché cambia le carte in tavola.