1) All The Love In The World
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The opener to the album is quite an unusual song. It sports the usual angsty NIN lyrics (to a certain degree), the "industrial" background static and even a Pretty Hate Machine style drum machine but, also featured in the second half of this song is a very up beat and, somewhat pop vocal line by Trent. The ending showing Trent's falsetto abilities (or lack of them) and, may come to a laughable shock if you where expecting something hard hitting like Head Like A Hole, Mr. Self Destruct, or Somewhat Damaged.
Overall, however the song does grow on you, with definite highlights being the Piano based background music and Trent’s repeated (in the style of Hurt) "Why do you get all the love in the world?"
Rating: 3.5 / 5
2) You Know What You Are
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Well, after the somewhat "Pop" ending of the first song, were then greeted with this, perhaps the hardest and most aggressive song on the album, this song gives us a very powerful chorus with some classic NIN vocal style & arrangement we've grown to know and love. A keyboard solo at the end (if you call it that) just adds to this song to make it a definite high point on the album. The live drums really add to this songs aggression, and this "raw" sound started here continues throughout the album which is what essentially makes "With Teeth" different to the other NIN outings.
Defiantly one to remember,
Rating: 4 / 5
3) The Collector
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Again in this song, the live drums bring to this song a new found raw-ness which NIN hasn’t had before. The bass line here is what carries the song through with the guitar taking rhythm duties until the short-lived however very good choruses.
It takes a while for this song to sink in; however, the bass line will keep you coming back for more, along with the very likeable chorus.
A little mediocre but, an enjoyable track none of the less (a special mention has to go to the use of the piano on this song, a definite shine of beauty in a very raw and abrasive track)
Rating: 3.5 / 5
4) The Hand That Feeds
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The first single off the album has been met with mixed views from fans (whose opinions I've read on forums etc) however, I think in the context of the album, it was a natural first single, its a song which contains elements which can be found across the album e.g.:
Less angst all round,
Keyboards / Pianos used in solos,
New Lyrical direction,
Live drums,
Bass line proving to be a very important role in the songs.
Aside from this however, the song fits in very well with the profile of the album so far, the lyrics are in a slightly new direction perhaps but, a song which keeps you interested -- Another high point on the album.
Rating: 4.5 / 5
5) Love Is Not Enough
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This song is the first on the album which really needs more time to sink in. The slow grinding opening fits in well with the raw feel of the album, and the chorus's distorted guitar roles are quite catchy (in a good way). The lyrics of this song are quite typical NIN, and on the whole, it isn't a bad song but, just needs more time to sink in.
Rating: 3 / 5
6) Every Day Is The Same
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Okay, here we one of the best songs on the album. The background ambience or, whatever you want to call it fits in so well with the live drums and Trent's emotional vocals. I think this is very much the direction NIN is now going in, the lyrics are far less angsty, however still contains the same NIN feel etc.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to get into NIN and is looking for a place to start; it is very likeable track which, from the word go sticks with you as a high point on the album.
Rating: 5 / 5
7) With Teeth
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A return to the dark, raw feel of some of the earlier songs here, the bass line really sets the tone for this, as with many of the songs found on the album.
As with Love Is Not Enough, this song needs more time to sink in. There’s nothing which really grabs me about this song yet, however it is definitely not a bad song.
Rating: 3 / 5
8) Only
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A song which returns very much to the Pretty Hate Machine roots, with its sythpop opening & vocal style. It literally sounds like it could have been a ‘lost track’ from Pretty Hate Machine .
The live drums have been replaced with a drum machine (I think) and the bass line now is supporting the ambience, rather then carrying the song.
With some very catchy parts and again a new lyrical direction like The Hand That Feeds, this is a little different to the rest of the album, and I can see why Trent had problems with the arrangements of this song.
Overall, a good song, pretty catchy and returns to NIN of the past.
Rating: 4.5 / 5
9) Getting Smaller
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Raw, powerful and heavy, this is very much in the new NIN style, this time with the guitars taking precedence over the bass. The chorus is somewhat reminiscent of "We’re In This Together", quite heavy and bursting at the seems with emotion.
Rating: 4 / 5
10) Sunspots
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Reminds me very much of Piggy, a low bass driven song with quiet lyrics. Defiantly a bit of angst here matched with emotive vocals.
The synth, which comes in at around the half way point takes the song in a slightly new direction however, with the continuation of the bass line, the tone of the song, is not lost.
Rating: 4.5 / 5
11) The Line Begins To Blur
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Somewhat of a continuation of Sunspots, this songs intro is very raw and abrasive, with Trent’s vocals also carrying this raw-ness the lots of emotion and the live drums again really add to the value of this song.
The chorus is a definite stand out with its softer vocals contrasting heavily with the intro / verses. It really shows how beautiful NIN can be at times (also shown in the emotional guitar solo at the end)
Rating: 4 / 5
12) Beside You In Time
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As the album draws to a close were greeted with a song which is oozing with pain and emotion.
The music here is quite "Trippy", however I feel it really adds to the emotion Trent is putting into the song.
There’s not much I can really say to describe this song, you need to hear it really. The best way I can describe it would be a mix of Hurt with The Day The World Went Away, which turns out to be pretty ***ing incredible,
Rating: 5 / 5
13) Right Where It Belongs
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With the final track on the album, Trent really saved the best for last, I simply love this song, the emotion, the lyrics, everything is so perfectly presented.
The only way to describe this song would be And All That Could Have Been mixed with Something I Can Never Have.
This has none of the abrasiveness of the rest of the album, and as aforementioned, really shows just how beautiful NIN's music can be.
Rating: 5 / 5.
Overall:
With Teeth is a very different NIN experience to the other albums. Trent has changed since the days of The Fragile, and it really shows in the lyrics. There’s allot less angst in this album then the first three, however the songs are still very emotional and will I think perhaps open NIN's music up to a wider audience.
With Teeth is defiantly a worthy follow up to The Fragile, the addition of live drums with distorted driving bass lines make this a hard hitting but rewarding experience.
Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5.
