Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine
Critic Score
Based on 4 reviews
1989 Ratings: #70 / 231
User Score
1989 Rank: #37
Liked by 354 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
AllMusic

Perhaps the greatest achievement of Pretty Hate Machine was that it brought emotional extravagance to a genre whose main theme had nearly always been dehumanization.

UltimateLifeFrm
90

Angst-fuelled energy!

Pretty Hate Machine is the debut album from American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, and was released in October 1989.

It was recorded throughout May-June of that year at the following studios: Blackwing & Roundhouse (both based in London), The Right Track (Cleveland), Synchro Sound (Boston) and Unique Recording (New York City).

This album carries similar lyrical themes from The Downward Spiral, which includes themes of the likes of angst, betrayal & ... read more

halbery
94

i really liked the social network

RemisReviews
75

You know, usually, I wouldn't be into this type of music, I mean even if I liked The Downard Spiral, I wasn't really expecting to like this that much. The music is very bright, funky, and upbeat. I kinda like music the opposite way or just something that evokes a strong emotion in me. Nine Inch Nails never evoked any emotion in me.

But I have to say, this album was good. Very well done, some really cool ideas here, the production is very industrial and the vocals are solid too. Idk why he has ... read more

jespinwastaken
94

i dont care how dated this is. this album FUCKS

agapanthus
60

Trent Reznor starts off with a great album with noticeable flaws. The album starts off like it's going to be truly incredible, but unfortunately falls off towards the end.

SandpitTurtle
85

Someone has written, that this LP is upbeat, bright, and funky. Did I listen to the wrong album? In my view, the LP stands out with its more sinister and dark electronic sound. I love most of the tracks, but tracks 5, 6, 8 and 9 are definitely the 'weakest' parts.
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Ich habe hier gelesen, dass das Album hell, peppig und funky sein soll. Hab ich das richtige Album gehört? Auf jeden Fall überzeugt mich die Platte mit dem düsteren elektronischen Sound. Im Mittelteil schwächelt ... read more

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Track List

1Head Like a Hole
4:59
93
2Terrible Lie
4:38
90
3Down In It
3:46
82
4Sanctified
5:48
83
5Something I Can Never Have
5:54
84
6Kinda I Want To
4:33
83
7Sin
4:06
92
8That's What I Get
4:30
77
9The Only Time
4:47
79
10Ringfinger
5:40
82
Total Length: 48 minutes

Year End Lists

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Added on: February 2, 2013