Not So New Release Tuesday: Pretty Hate Machine

It was the end of the 80s, synth pop was in its decline and heavy guitars were slowly making their way back. Then there was Trent Reznor, the man behind Nine Inch Nails, and his first full-length release Pretty Hate Machine.

A combination of industrial and hard-core with the synth laden melodies of the past decade, Pretty Hate Machine was something new on the scene in 1989. The album was much more accessible than KMFDM and other industrial heavyweights to mainstream audiences. Although the songs are dark and the lyrics brooding and sometimes downright hateful, they all followed the pop song formula, catchy hooks and excellent production. The single Head Like A Hole, received major airplay from MTV and college radio. But one song does not make an album. Every track is a piece of work, differing from the others, yet somehow tying each other together. Musically, Trent does magical things, melding guitars and synths into a cacophony of noise that works. Lyrically, he runs the table, from Calling out God in Terrible Lie, pining away in Something I Can Never Have, to veiled drug references in Down In It.

Usually found in almost everyones best list of the 80s, the album is still very relevant today, not sounding dated. Pretty Hate Machine is one CD that should be in everyones collection.

And a friendly civic reminder, Go Vote! If you don't vote, you do not have a right to complain.

Down In It
Sin
Something I Can Never Have
Terrible Lie

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