The last full length NIN album, "The Downward Spiral" is considered a dark and controversial album, but "The Fragile" proves to be more of a softer and melodic piece (although there is still plenty of anger and surprises to go around). With each album you can sense how much NIN's music has evolved. And this album is certainly no exception. There are soft songs and there are heavy songs. There are angry songs and there are emotional songs. There's songs with lyrics, and there are some that are just purely instrumental. No two songs sound alike and no two songs make you feel the same way. That is the genius to Trent Reznor. He can always impress and surprise you.

This double-album is the most complex thing Reznor has done, or at least in my mind. Which is why it took so long for it to come out. There is NOT ONE BAD SONG on the entire two disks. As soon as you're finished listening to them, you want to listen to them again. My favorites are songs like "somewhat damaged," "we're in this together," "the great below," "please," "the mark has been made," "the frail," "the big come down," "where is everybody," "the fragile," and "into the void." But the bottom line is they're all good and this isn't an album you'll want to go around skipping tracks. You will want to absorb it all in its entirety and nothing less.

What can I say; I think Trent Reznor is a musical genius. And I know I'm not the only one who feels that way. Sure, there were people who were disappointed with this album, but if you really do appreciate everything that NIN has done, then you will fall in love with this double-album masterpiece. From start to finish, "The Fragile" is a unique experience that can never be duplicated.


Still the best!   October 26, 2000
 21 out of 22 found this review helpful

The Fragile was the last great rock album of the millenium. 'Nevermind' may have been THE album of the 90's, but in my opinion this was the BEST. Since then, vacuous pop music has continued its domination. The best album I've heard since was 'Mer De Noms' by A Perfect Circle, and even that wasn't as good as this. My guess is that it will be a LONG time before The Fragile is bettered.


the best ever...   November 2, 2000
 16 out of 16 found this review helpful

i listened to this album one night with all the lights off and by the end of the first disk i was emotionally drained - this is the most amazing, intense album i have ever heard in my life. one disc just wouldn't be enough, two discs is the perfect length for this album and you need to sit down and LISTEN to the entire album to take it all in - and even then you'll need hundreds more listens to fully appreciate it.

buy this cd!


Mind blowing album that was over looked.   September 21, 2001
 16 out of 26 found this review helpful

I was reading reveiws for this album and found myself wondering why so many people dislike Nine Inch Nails? I guess music that is smart, well done and emotionally beautiful isn't wanted by this lame "Pop Culture" our nation has taken to over time. After reading alot of reveiws I began to realize that people don't like music that makes them sad, angery or even scared. The general public listens to poppy bubblegum beats all the time its no wonder such a creative artist like Trent Reznor is over looked in this day and age. From the moment you wake up you are forced by MTV and other "Pop Culture Television" to witness the Backstreet Boys perform meaningless crap that a chained monkey could easily do but would never happen because the monkey isn't a "pretty boy." People gernerally like music that is simple, catchy and that dosn't offend them in anyway. "The Fragile" is pop cultures worst nightmare! Its glum, depressing, haunting, creepy, angry and above all WELL DONE. Which is somthing I have come to realize America dosn't really enjoy too much. God forbid we liked somthing with emotion and musical creativity. Im sorry, but bands like Blink-182 doing such lame songs as "Whats my age again" dosn't feed fuel to my creative flame whatsoever! If Trent wanted fame and money he would have done it by now, but thats not what music is all about and he knows it. By far the most beautiful and creative track on "The Fragile" has to be "Pilgrimage." Its a complete industrial track that is mind blowing to me as well as is the entire album! If you have any creative energy in your mind, Nine Inch Nails is the place to be in a world of boybands and pretty faces. Even hardcore acts such as Limp Bizkit and KoRn are still polished up by the media to sell more recored for the business men. Don't get me wrong, I like KoRn and everything its just I like more substance to my music. And I have a weird love/hate relationship with Limp and the crew. If you want somthing smarter, well done and full of emotion then below is a list of bands and their albums that make the grade for better artistic musical statements. Instead of buying that Linkin' Park album cheak out these ones instead. Who knows, you might actually start using your brain! *gasp*

BELOW ARE BANDS WITH MORE SUBSTANCE THAN THE CRAP SOCIETY SELLS US TODAY.

1) Nine Inch Nails - The Fragile & Pretty Hate Machine
2) Marilyn Manson - Holy Wood & Mechanical Animals
3) Les Claypool's Frog Set 1 & 2 (best bass player in the world)
4) StabbingWestward - Ungod & Darkest Days
5) Ministry - Darkside of the Spoon & Filthpig
6) Slipknot - Iowa (mind blowing album as well)
7) Deftones - White poney (landmarking album by far)
8) Lords of Acid - Farstucker & Our Little Secret
9) Skinny Puppy - The Process & Brap
10) Soulfly - Primative (very ethinic and beautiful)

Never the less, Im sure this music would seem like nails across the chalk board to those who listen to bubblegum crap on a daily basis. And I could have gone onward with a longer list but 10 bands seemed like an alright amount. Not only was this a reveiw for the album "The Fragile" it was a wake up call to those of us who still have an ounce of creativity left inside of our brainwashed minds. Yes I have fallen victem to enjoying Limp Bizkit and some Papa Roach but my creative side still takes over full force. Considering the crap playing today and all the money to be made Im surprised that the bands I listed above HAVEN'T soldout ever.