So with that in mind, I think "The Perfect Drug" EP is great! All the mixes are different, running the range from dub to trance to industrial. Meat Beat Manifesto's version starts things off with Jack Dangers' quintessential blend of frenetic beats, and dub basslines. Even the bits from the original song sound more like random samples as opposed to a remix. My personal favorite is the "Plug" version. It's so ethereal and ambient, with amazing textures and sounds. It also seems to retain the most tracks from the original song, and the beats are just infectious. The NIN version is interesting because it bears little resemblance to the original song. It's not so much an interpretation as it is a completely new song with just a few bits from the original thrown in to tie it in. It's hard, it's fast, and it's industrial. The version by Spacetime Continuum is great for its trance-like feel, but it doesn't go as far as one might hope. The Orb version is perhaps the weirdest, with perhaps the most interesting synth sounds on the whole CD. The import edition of this CD has the original song as the last track.

I think the CD is a wonderful example of how electronic music translates across its own subgenres, and if anything shows off the talents of all who contributed. I choose not to look at it as a single or a remix CD, but rather a compilation of different electronic artists with a common theme, that theme being NIN's "The Perfect Drug." If people would try to look at it this way, I think there'd be less disappointment. But then again, so many people are justly blindly following the NIN-Army that they don't care, it has to be NIN or nothing (and yes, that is a bit of a pun). I like NIN, and I have most of the CD's, but to hate something because it doesn't sound like NIN is just plain arrogant. Give this CD a chance, it's actually really good.


And All That Could Have Been...   March 29, 2003
 14 out of 16 found this review helpful

I sort of have mixed feelings about this remix album of the song "the perfect drug." I knew the original wouldn't be on it, and that was fine with me. I love to get any NIN singles because there's always cool remixes. And this is because they are done by Trent Reznor himself, or by him and others.

" `The Perfect Drug' Versions" has remixes, but all of them except for one are done by different artists. These artists being Meat Beat Manifesto, Plug, Spacetime Continuum, and The Orb. The songs are all right, but they don't compare to what Reznor can do with his songs. Track 3 was done/remixed by Nine Inch Nails and it shows. It's the only one on the CD that does the song justice. (It actually sounds like something you would hear on the "Fight Club" soundtrack.) The remixes are good, but could've been much better.

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone who just "kinda" likes Nine Inch Nails. If you're a die hard NIN fan then this is something that is worth checking out. My feelings are somewhat mixed about this CD, but my overall impression is that I'm content with it. Just wished there were more remixes by Trent Reznor himself. Other than that, it's still a cool CD to have if you are a big NIN fan.

If you want an excellent remix collection, look for the "Closer" and "Closer to God" CDs. Now THOSE are outstanding remixes.


Not What I Expected   June 1, 2002
 11 out of 11 found this review helpful

This single features five remixes, each by a different artist, of "The Perfect Drug", arguably one of Trent Reznor's finest moments. However, while Nine Inch Nails tracks have been remixed by others in the past (Aphex Twin and Coil appear on Further Down the Spiral), this album leaves much to be desired. In each of its incarnations, the song has been rendered almost unrecognizable from its original version. The five lengthy tracks seem to merely cycle through various industrial loops, switching gears only when the repetition becomes annoying. In most of the mixes, the full extent of the song's vocals is the line "You are the perfect drug" repeated over and over or occasionally fading in and out in the background. Even the remix by Trent himself, which is probably the best track on the disc (the only one that even sounds like Nine Inch Nails) seems drawn out and somewhat boring. Being a huge fan, I can't say I'm sorry I bought this album but I was disappointed in the quality of the material. I was also very disappointed (not to mention shocked and confused) to learn that the original song was not on the particular version of this album that I purchased. The bottom line: I'd recommend this only to die-hard fans.


Decent, but you don't get the original song   December 9, 1999
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

I bought this because i like the song, perfect drug, but unfortunatley, it was nowhere to be found on this disc which consists of remixes, which, in my opinion are so interpretive of the original song, that there are few resemblances to the original at all. So i was a bit disappointed. But of course if you are a hardcore NIN fan, you'll have to have this, but if you aren't as hardcore, but like NIN, this isn't worth it, you're better off buying the Lost highway soundtrack if you want The original version of perfect drug.


Not the perfect "Perfect Drug"   September 26, 2000
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I love NIN (I couldn't bring myself to give this disc less than five stars), but the only reason I bought this was to complete my collection. Only the German and Australian imports have the original song on the single (which mystifies me), so don't buy this expecting it to be on there. Like I said, if you are a diehard NIN fan and want to complete your collection, or if you want to hear the remixes, by all means go for it. If not, buy the Lost Highway soundtrack or the We're In This Together single. I don't remember which one it's on (there are three We're In This Together singles, yellow, green and orange in color, from different countries with different track listings) or buy the single for Into the Void.