From Japan With Teeth
I think I’m still a Nine Inch Nails fan. I try not to be, but I can’t help it. When I first picked up my dual-disc copy of With Teeth, I was not that impressed. By the end of the first week, I only liked five out of the thirteen tracks on it. Of course, those five tracks are really amazing. A “good track” on this album is way better than a “good track” on any other album.
Perfect Opening
“All the Love in the World” is not only one of my favorite tracks from the album, it’s one of my favorite tracks, period right now. I really like the way it starts off mellow and cool, but works its way into something more energetic like “Into the Void.”
Stronger Closing
I also love the last four tracks on the album. But of particular importance to me, personally, is “Right Where it Belongs.” I don’t identify with the lyrics as much now as I did in the past, but they do an amazing job describing an incredible moment I’ve had in my life when I’ve started putting together some really important things about life.
I’ll let you read the lyrics and figure it out for yourself. I will say one thing, though. I think that if I were to make one minor edit to one of the lyrics, it would more clearly communicate what Reznor is trying to say. I’ve added my minor edit in brackets below:
If you look at your reflection
Is it all you want it to be?
What if you could look right through the cracks?
Would you find yourself?
[Or] find yourself afraid to see?
From Japan With Teeth
When I was in Chicago with a friend, I bought the Japanese import version, cementing my status as a devout NIN fan. I bought it so I could have three extra tracks. I couldn’t read the track names because they were printed in katakana and I failed Japanese. But the bonus tracks turned out to be “Home,” “Right Where It Belongs V.2,” and a “ruff” mix of “The Hand That Feeds.” The first two of these bonus tracks were totally worth it.
The packaging had much better printing, too.
I was stunned the first time I heard “Home.” The best way I can describe the mood of this song is elegantly volatile. Everything, from the gentle wailing of the guitar to the savage percussion combine to create an incredible impression on the listener.