Nine Inch Nails - Ghosts I-IV

A while ago I purchased my first NIN record. And a record it was, I decided that I would buy the vinyl edition so I would have a wider collection for my record player. This record is entirely instrumental and completely abstract. This record was also available for free download of the official NIN web site. This partially influenced me to buy this album, as to support artists that wish to share the music rather than just take money. The album actually came on four records, each titled Ghosts I-IV.

When I first played this album I was expecting stereotypical NIN “music,” however, this was not the case. It starts off with a slow-ish and calm song. Oh, did I mention, non of the songs have normal titles? Anyway, in this song the tension builds and anyone familiar with any type of hard music would expect the loud, distorted guitars or some other form of noise to enter. This NEVER happens, the song fades away and a percussion based song begins. The hard stuff doesn’t not begin until either Ghosts II or the second side of I. Which also surprised me.

This album is a great compilation of different sounds and musical ideas, however, most of these ideas are left hanging. Rarely is an idea completed but when it is it makes for an interesting abstract piece. Some have said that the tracks on this album should not be considered music and others have said that this is one of NIN’s better albums and that it is a work of art. I agree with both assessments to an extent. On one hand the opposers to this album’s music have valid points, the songs are abstract, and seemingly incomplete at times. In support of the other side; NIN’s Ghosts I-IV is like abstract art, some feel it is not art at all but just noise whereas some regard it with respect. I also feel that NIN wasn’t trying to get public approval (I mean they are NIN aren’t they?). This is shown by the fact that they allowed Ghosts I to be downloaded for free from their web site and various bittorrent sites.

This album’s wide instrumentation, which uses a ton of folk instruments like banjos and dulcimers, and abstract musical forms make for a great, albeit weird, album. This album would be great for dancing and seems almost trance-like at times. I would not suggest this album for the faint hearted, especially when it come to music, it is weird and freakish, but if you were wishing to listen to other forms of music or expand your musical experience I would recommend it.