trippin' the rift can you trip like i do?

How To Destroy Angels EP

It's pretty sad and awfully ironic, but I guess also symbolic that the first post on this website dedicated to trip-hop is a review of an album that isn't even a trip-hop album per se. But I did want to start with something new, something that many people hadn't heard yet, something that could maybe attract folks who aren't even all that interested in trip-hop or are convinced that it's been dead for decades, instead of crying over Dummy or praising Heligoland (which is indeed fantastic, but had been already reviewed everywhere so many times).  So, there you have it, How To Destroy Angels 6-track EP, a new project by Trent Reznor, the only purpose of which, as my impression was after listening to it, to introduce female lead vocals to Nine Inch Nails' music. But then, I can't exactly call myself an expert in NIN's legacy. Or their nuge fan for that matter, maybe this is why I can't say that the EP left a deep unshakable impression. The album sounds tamer than what I would expect from Mr. Reznor, but industrial drums and distortion are present as per usual, and don't you worry, my fellow dark-minded individuals out there, there's enough "blood" and "kill" in the lyrics). Mrs. Mariqueen Reznor's vocals are very decent, reminded me a bit of Kelly Ali, and maybe this is why album's most "trip-hoppy" tracks ("The Space in Between", "A Drowning") were reminiscent of Sneaker Pimps' unforgettable first release, while  the rest are... well, NIN with female lead. You can get the entire EP for free from band's official website (if you don't mind sharing your email with Reznor &Co).

Buy album from Amazon

R.I.Y.L. Nine Inch Nails, Sneaker Pimps - Becoming X, leather

personal favs "The Space in Between", "Parasite"

tipkin's rating