I've been a fan of NIN since The Downward Spiral was release many, many years ago. With Teeth is not my favourite LP from the band, but it certainly has its high points. Coming off the epic The Fragile and landing before the more impressive Year Zero, this record manages to bridge, or perhaps 'preview' where Trent Reznor was taking the NIN -sound... nay, the whole NIN Empire.
This isn't a band who releases a new album every two- or two-and-a-bit years as most are 'encouraged' to do by their record labels. Nails will release a new album when Trent is good and ready to do so, often five or six years after his previous effort. Many reviews of this album note that these songs were inspired (or influenced) by Trent's battle with, and success over, substance abuse and alcoholism, although you don't really need a review to tell you this. NIN's lyrics have never really been uplifting and inspiring, more cathartic and dark... but that's what you want from the band; you're not putting this stuff on for a sunny walk in the park.
It's loud and driving; the drums in particular seem to be up-front in the mix for this album and are usually quite fast and intense. From the slow yet steady beat in Only to the machine gun -like attack in You Know What You Are? to the cymbal crashes at the start of the chorus in The Hand That Feeds... it's an important element in the mix, but always new and powerful.
The DVD that was released following the tour for this album, Beside You in Time, is quite impressive as I remember it. I haven't watched the video in awhile, but I am always so impressed by how the NIN sound can be recreated on-stage by a live band. The light show that accompanies the band is also something to behold. Of course, this DVD also features such classic tracks as Terrible Lie, March of the Pigs, Closer and Hurt, so be sure to check it out even if you're not a huge fan of this album.
| Recommended track(s): | You Know What You Are?; Only; Beside You in Time |
| Worth another listen? | Yes! |
| Overall rating: | Three Stars |
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