While Pretty Hate Machine was a cult favorite (deservedly so), it was still a cult album. Nothing there was truly huge. However, the Downward Spiral was another story. While it wasn't exactly Thriller, to say this album was big would be an understatement. While it was super popular, even more impressive is the number of NIN wanna-be bands that popped up. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Nine Inch Nails had some of the most sincere flattery ever. However, none of those bands matched NIN in either popularity or quality. There is only one Nine Inch Nails, and there is only one Downward Spiral.
The Downward Spiral is an exercise in juxtaposition. The album goes from 0-60 and then back to 0 often within the course of 5 seconds. From the most terrifying noises ever put to vinyl (except for the 5SOS debut album) and then to lush piano. Like with Pretty Hate Machine, it is industrial, but industrial noises always take a backseat to good songs. Reznor never tries to impress the listener by shoving how inhuman industrial can be, but instead humanizes it. However, most of the anger on PHM has been increased by pure rage. While the 90's had plenty of emotional albums, few can match the pure anger found here. Sure Strapping Young Lad may be more extreme, but I'd honestly argue that this is the angrier album. Not to say that anger is the only emotion found here, as songs like "Hurt" show a much more emotional (although, still pretty pissed off) side of Reznor. This isn't an album to cry to, it's an album to plan (and then exact) revenge on your worst enemy to. Unlike many other albums though, even when I'm not in the mood for angry music, I still can listen and love this album. I don't 100% know why, but listen to it and I think you'll understand.
Lyrically, this album is pretty good. While I do prefer a bit more subtle approach typically, there is a lot to be said about Reznors complete honestly approach. There isn't any hiding behind metaphors or anything here, he comes out and says it. Unless you worship Death Cab For Cutie, the lyrics are presented in an intelligent enough way that even though they are straightforward, they don't feel dumbed down.
I want to dedicate a small portion of this review to "Closer" because it gets so much undeserved hate (both from fans and people who just hate it for the lyrics). 1. Closer is a great song. If you honestly don't think so, that's fine, but so many people give it crap because it's their most mainstream song. Sure it's popular, but it's GOOD. 2. Yes the chorus is profane, but it isn't like it's a frat-boy anthem. It's not about having sex with everyone, it's about a guy being depressed due largely to sexual frustration (or a song from the viewpoint of a rapist). If you have an issue with this song, but are cool with Led Zeppelin singing "I want to give you every inch of my love" just because they don't cuss then you're an idiot.
Summery: It's good. Buy it. But it now. Buy it on CD. Buy it on MP3. Buy it on vinyl. Kidnap Trent Reznor, lock him in a cage, and force him to preform the album (ok maybe not that one). I don't care how you get it, but listen to it. It will be well worth your time.
