So here it is--the first significant release of Nine Inch Nails material since The Downward Spiral era. For those searching for the radio-friendly, single version of "The Perfect Drug," check out the recent Lost Highway soundtrack. But for those more interested in hearing instrumental work built to interface with the thematic undercurrents of the song will be glad to know that five remixes of this song by various artists have just been released under Trent Reznor's pen name as "The Perfect Drug" Versions EP.
Similar to Downward Spiral's remix project, Further Down the Spiral, as well as Reznor's musical and otherwise sonic contributions to the popular PC game Quake, the theatrics are as present in "The Perfect Drug" Versions as in any original material NIN has ever released - but they rely much more on musical fortitude than harrowing lyrics; only snippets of vocals from the original are included in these versions. For this reason, many who adopted NIN as a new favorite merely on the verbal frankness of songs like "Closer," might be disappointed in this disc. However, those who appreciate the quality and originality of the compositions of Reznor and these other top-notch remixers in their individual studio settings, and those who have recognized the solidly thematic nature of their better work will also appreciate the work done here by Reznor and some of his colleagues.
Meat Beat Manifesto, led by Jack Dangers and signed to Reznor's Nothing Records, contributes the first of the five outstanding remixes, splicing Reznor's vocals and elements of the original with his characteristic scratching, kinetic bass sound, and busy, maximized percussion. The listener, now at takeoff speed, is slowly lifted into the atmosphere by Plug's fuzzy, darkly ethereal mix. Reznor then lays down a mix that starts as a whisper, rambles through a drum-and-bass pattern, and drags through heavy, insistent bass tones and cracking vocals to reach a quiet end in a dreary, repeated piano melody (much like certain tracks from The Downward Spiral).
The air clears and Spacetime Continuum adds a track that is less a remix of "The Perfect Drug" than an original composition--an ambient techno tune - with occasional vocals from said song. Still, it is a nice break from the brain-scraping before the Orb's bubbly, scary, acid-infected dub swing provides a perfect ending, distorting the usual air of sonic stoicism and precision accompanying most work associated with NIN, and highlighting what seems to be a musical, chronological progression of the mind - appropriate to the title - from the grounded motion of the beginning to the skies, through space, and drifting to the brink of insanity. But beyond the allusion to a physical-mental journey, and more important, is the suggestion of an emotional journey. For instance, in the midst of the intensity of the Plug mix, at a key moment, the original guitar or piano riffs appear as a conveyance of sadness and lethargy, as Reznor sings "take me with you" over and over again.
Although this disc features a stylistic variety of skilled remixers, far less overdriven guitar than previous NIN material, and a slightly more electronic aural quality, it is no less in keeping with NIN's standard of truth-telling mixed with fantasy, spotless mechanics of composition, and relentless intrusion of the psyche.
What makes Nine Inch Nails and associated projects (such as "The Perfect Drug" Versions) so exceptional is their inability to be defined in terms of genre. While the disc certainly emphasizes electronics more than previous releases, it is hardly a transition to drum-and-bass as several uninformed, uninterested critics have already proclaimed on the basis of the original single version. With the aid of the remixers, "The Perfect Drug" Versions is an amazing testament to Nine Inch Nails' innovation; Reznor still maintains creative integrity despite his sudden popularity. In short: it will be more than a little awkward to see NIN's new material alongside other "alternative" radio favorites, especially if it is anything like this.
