In short, the same listeners who had the patience to learn how to love The Fragile will learn how to love With Teeth.
While With Teeth satisfies in all the expected ways, not much has changed in Reznor’s world: He still goes out like a lamb.
For better or worse, Reznor's legacy was decided many moons ago, and though it isn't likely to win back parts of his fanbase that felt shunned by The Fragile, it's a commendable start to earning him a new one.
With Teeth finds Trent Reznor moving forward by coming to terms with what he hath wrought. This head like a hole's come a long way, baby.
Hard-hitting, but to a less effective degree!
Released in May 2005, having been recorded in various studios across Los Angeles & New Orleans during late 2004, With Teeth continues to explore similar writing of the three previous albums influenced by Trent Raznor's drug / alcohol addiction, along with his gradual journey of sobriety.
The album carries the band's signature industrial rock sound with influences of synthpop, electronic & alternative rock also being heard throughout. I can ... read more
It's been six years since "The Fragile". Trent has finally won against drug addiction and went to the gym, and he has been rewriting the usual Nine Inch Nails formula to fit in with his new lifestyle. While this results in a much more accessible and traditional album than pretty much anything he's done (yes, even "Pretty Hate Machine"), "With Teeth" doesn't feel like it panders to its audience as it still retains what makes NIN so damn enjoyable! This is a ... read more
This is Trent finally conquering his fears. The fear hasn't gone away, but on this album, in all of it's early 2000s glory, the fear seems much more fun, much more lively, much more accessible, and much less...well, fearing. It's a fear of letting the past go in order to move forward, and Trent and Co. move forward with long strides.
Favorite jams: Beside You In Time, You Know What You Are, Getting Smaller
Lest Favorite: The Line Begins To Blur
While I feel the cohesion isn't perfect here especially in the first half, the album still feels like a single cohesive unit and an experience, especially thanks to the closer. There are some weaker songs on this album, but the strong songs so easily make up for it and create such an enjoyable experience for me. The production and mixing, while not as good as their previous albums, is still great and the songwriting is as strong as ever, especially the lyrics. I feel Trent's vocals are a bit ... read more
RE-REVIEW:
After revisiting The Fragile so soon, I revisited its follow-up With Teeth as well, as I feel like I didn't give it a chance before. After relistening, this is probably NIN's most consistent project. It has a consistent sound and a consistent tracklist whilst retaining the trademark NIN sound. For me, The Hand That Feeds has grown, as I originally thought it was good, but now I think it's one of NIN's most catchy tracks that immediately makes you want to turn up the volume. The ... read more
1 | All the Love In the World 5:15 | 84 |
2 | You Know What You Are? 3:41 | 87 |
3 | The Collector 3:07 | 82 |
4 | The Hand That Feeds 3:31 | 93 |
5 | Love Is Not Enough 3:41 | 80 |
6 | Every Day Is Exactly the Same 4:54 | 91 |
7 | With Teeth 5:37 | 81 |
8 | Only 4:23 | 91 |
9 | Getting Smaller 3:35 | 87 |
10 | Sunspots 4:03 | 85 |
11 | The Line Begins to Blur 3:44 | 82 |
12 | Beside You In Time 5:24 | 86 |
13 | Right Where It Belongs 5:05 | 91 |
#29 | / | SPIN |