Hesitation Marks
Nine Inch Nails
Released by Columbia Records
In what has so far been a remarkable year for rock music comebacks, an effort from Trent Reznor should not be overlooked. Since putting his iconic industrial rock project Nine Inch Nails on an indefinite hiatus in 2009, he has gotten married, become a father, formed another band with his wife, and scored two award-winning David Fincher films. Not too shabby for a man who seemingly shelved his primary musical output for the foreseeable future.
While Reznor could easily be identified as an angry young man during the early years of Nine Inch Nails, his latest creation Hesitation Marks sees him transform into an agitated artist experimenting within both dark and light. The album is chock full of sonics both edgy and gentle, and stands on its own as a whole new animal when lining up against catalogue staples such as The Downward Spiral and The Fragile.
The record takes a decidedly dancy turn early on with the polyrhythmic power of “Copy of A,” a truly great number to kick off this band’s return. The expansive groove of “Came Back Haunted” follows suit, at times drowning the listener in layers upon layers of synthesizers. These infectious beats harken back to the band’s first release, 1989’s Pretty Hate Machine, though there is a much broader range of sound at play.
Electronics are often backed up or interspersed with raw, jagged guitar work courtesy of recruited rock legends Lindsay Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac) and Adrian Belew (King Crimson).
The guitar work comes to the forefront on “Everything,” a track which is the most pop-oriented song to ever come from the band. “Wave goodbye/Wish me well” sings Reznor, with harmonized vocals over some straightforward guitar and drums. It may cause some to scratch their heads upon first listen.
The calm mind of Trent Reznor makes its first appearance on “Find My Way,” a track that isn’t the most engaging in a lyrical sense, but continues to use sweeping, atmospheric soundscapes that have been heard in his scores for The Social Network and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.
“Various Methods of Escape” is fast becoming a favourite of mine, with its sultry, slinky vibe perhaps making it a distant cousin of the band’s hit “Closer.”
Long-time fans shouldn’t fear, there is still plenty of edge within the final four tracks, with “I Would For You” often shifting dynamics and “In Two” displaying pure industrial aggression.
Hesitation Marks is a wonderful return for Reznor and Nine Inch Nails, and will undoubtedly be one of the top albums of this year. It’s an intriguing and masterful start to new a chapter in the band’s musical legacy, giving nods to Reznor’s past creations while being a unique entry in the band’s catalogue all the same.
