NIN/JA Tour Sampler

Artists:       Nine Inch Nails /Jane's Addiction / Street Sweepers

CD Title:   NIN/JA 2009

Label:       The Null Corporation

Reviewer:  Linda Bennett   March 24, 2009

Artist Website:  https://www.nin.com/

Genre:   Industrial, Rock, Alternative

NIN/JA - features tracks from Jane's Addiction, Nine Inch Nails & Street Sweeper.

Lights in the Sky Over North America - Tour this summer

https://www.ninja2009.com/

"Not So Pretty Now"  - Nine Inch Nails

Rating 4

Trent Reznor chisels a razor sharp musical edginess into this song while he's channeling the likeness of Jason, out of Friday the 13th, as his musical conductor.  A portion of the chorus echo the lyrics " We love you anyhow, But you're not so pretty now"  is this a redeeming thoughtfulness after claiming "We'll scrape you off the floor"?  The insistent drumming and discordant guitar chords forcibly continue beating and pounding with maniacal purpose.  Somehow the gritty angst I felt when the guitars morphed into buzzing saws, triggered thoughts of a certain ex-boyfriend, what more can I say?  I don't think Trent was thinking about my ex when he recorded this song, but he sure captured the fleeting limelight of stardom with the lyrics "there is a price you're gonna pay, try as hard as you can to stay."  There are celebrities and then there are the featured players in our lives.  I found "Not So Pretty Now" disturbingly appealing, then played it over and over. 

www.nin.com

https://www.myspace.com/nin

"Chip Away"  - Jane's Addiction

Rating 5

 This song had me at the first bar of primal drum beats.  Conjuring visions of a fire surrounded by ceremonial tribal dancing against the background of a black starry night, it took me a moment to notice "Chip Away" is only drums with sustained echoing vocals.  I don't know if this song was Chippewa Indian Tribe inspired or not, but it took me to another place and time.  The lyrics are inwardly focused "I chip away, Poked a hole right into myself, And inside I found someone, Who said I was O.K., Still I don't feel easy," the challenge of the inner self to find meaning in a vast universe.  Everyone will find their own personal message as they "Chip Away" the surface to discover what's inside, if they dare.   

https://www.janesaddiction.com/

https://www.myspace.com/janesaddictionpage

"Clap For The Killers" - Street Sweepers

Rating 3

 Appropriately named, the Street Sweepers have a polished and well seasoned musical style.  They bring to their music tightly wound rhythms, impeccable vocal timing, well placed chord changes, and dynamic variations through out the song.  "Clap For The Killers" has a reminiscent feel of the "Sopranos" which I imagine, is exactly what they were trying to accomplish.

https://www.streetsweepermusic.com/

https://www.myspace.com/streetsweepermusic