E. A Solinas 2005-07-08
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
"With Teeth" is one of those incredibly difficult albums to review -- Trent Reznor's earlier work has become so legendary that his newer work can't hope to get the same response. Especially if he goes in a totally different direction -- in this case, a less electronic, more organic direction.
Sure, it lacks the visceral punch and of albums such as "Pretty Hate Machine," and it doesn't really go anyplace new, musically speaking. But the newest album from Nine Inch Nails has a dark, raw-edged power of its own.
Reznor has always depended, in a way, on pop melodies done in an industrial style, and that sound emerges in songs like the raging, explosive "You Know What You Are?", where he repeatedly shrieks, "Don't you f*cking know what you ARE?" like a banshee with an identity crisis. I know who I am, but what are you?
Dark synth shows up in sputters and thick waves, especially in some of the quieter songs. The closing and opening song are the most prevalent in these, with Reznor singing sadly over nothing but bass and drums, or else over piano and some buzzing synth. But here, the industrial sound seems to have been switched for a more hard-rock vibe -- as Reznor said, it sounds more organic. It sounds almost live. While there is still some thick synth, the sounds that really grab your attention are more hard-rock oriented: Dave Grohl's excellent drumming, and Twiggy's searing basslines.
Is it good? Yes. Is it as good as it could have been. Decidedly not. While it's a pleasant listen, Reznor only dips lightly into new musical styles, hinting at bossa nova in the opener. Most of the time, he quickly returns to what he's already doine before. And the loss of much of the thick, muddy electronica leaves "With Teeth" sounding a bit underdressed.
Fortunately, "With Teeth" retains enough rough, raw energy to be worthy of being called Nine Inch Nails. It can't be denied that the instrumentation is masterful, whether it's the raw basslines, sharp drumming or driving melodies. Grohl deserves special notice for his work here. Reznor sounds like his old tormented self, whether railing about the U.S. government, wistfully murmuring about "all the love in the world," or raging that "Love is NOT ENOUGH!"
No, "With Teeth" is not the best or most innovative thing that Nine Inch Nails has produced. But its dark, rough energy is enough to make it a compelling listen, if taken on its own virtues.
