The Slip

When Discipline first popped up, it was a great shock and the song was amazing. The only strange thing is, well, it seemed like somewhat of a demo. The way he begins singing too early then stops and then the way the songs cuts out early. Hey, who am I to complain? After the insult that was Ghosts I-IV, I was very grateful.
Then he follows it up with a complete FREE album! Suddenly, I am no longer angry about the meager $5 I spent on Ghosts (not a bad price for 2 CD's, so I really had no right to complain EVER). At first, it was a rush- everyone trying to download at once. I don't remember if, at the time, we knew it was going to remain available forever. Whatever the case, I couldn't get it fast enough.
I did not listen to a single track until I had them all and in order. I found a nice beach to sit and listen and I was blown away! I loved Year Zero, and With Teeth was 75% awesome, but the Slip was/is brilliant. Even the instrumental stuff worked perfectly(he just released 36 instrumental songs, why any more?). More than that, my fear that this would just be a collection of odds and ends from the last few albums (like the missing Not So Pretty Now, Non-Entity, the Life You Didn't Lead, and Message to No One in Particular), some just re-named, was thankfully unfounded. This was an album of songs that fit together perfectly.
Now on to the whole point of my "review". As a collector, I needed the Slip in physical form. Sure, in the back of my mind I was hoping the rumours of an entire new disc or a few bonus tracks were true, but aside from the live in the studio stuff, I found nothing new (I'm sure there is some "secret code or trick" someone will find soon, but until then, I feel I am allowed to complain about the one SINGLE problem with the CD version of the Slip; Discipline has not been fixed! Maybe the early start on the vocals was intentional, after all, it sounds cool, but THE END!!! They did not fix the end. It just cuts off! That drives me crazy. Everything else about this CD is perfect- the mysterious artwork, the stickers (is there 1 for every song?), lyrics, the bonus disc. It's all great save that ONE nails-on-a-chalkboard aggrivation. And why Discipline out of all the songs? Why not Letting You (not that I dislike Letting You, but if I HAD to pick a "least favorite", then...)
Still, these years have taught me, NIN has GREAT re-sale value, so buy as many copies as you can because A LOT of people are going to be sitting back saying "why bother? I can get it for free.", but a few years from now, like all the other NIN stuff, people will be searching high and low. And even though I did end up buying my copy, I still want to say "THANK YOU" to Trent Reznor for doing something this amazing just to thank his fans.

I have to admit I like this album, was surprised to see how good it was.... seeing him in concert for the lights in the sky tour so im looking foward to see how these songs translate from album to live.

Some good singles here, but the majority is kinda weak. Not bad mind you, but just not the caliber I'd expect from Trent. So-so album.

I liked YEARZEROREMIXED a lot better.

This album is vintage Nine inch nails! There isn't a bad track on the album and the instrumentals are begging for a movie soundtrack! Highly recommended!

This is one of Trents better albums since "With Teeth" that's come out recently. I never really considered myself a NIN Fan until he released his most recent work. All music is still hard and gritty with a couple melodic songs inbetween. Each album just seems to get better and better.

My only complaint is this. Unless you're really gung ho on getting the live DVD that comes with this limited edition, you can actually save money and download the whole album, FOR FREE off of the NIN website. All that is needed is your e-mail and the website will send you a confirmation code. It's great that way since then you can listen to the album and hey, if you don't like it, you can just delete it off of you harddrive and save the 18 bucks you would buying the CD.