Music Reviews

The Broken Machine

A Tribute to Nine Inch Nails

Vitamin

From what I’ve gathered after from recent listening experience, the chances of a tribute album actually being tolerable are about as good as Keanu Reeves winning an Oscar. Countless homages to respected artists have come and go, and here we are back at square one with the latest addition to this notorious pile. Yes, it’s been over a decade since Trent Reznor entered our consciousness and manipulated the alternative music scene, so a tribute is somewhat deserved. But this poor excuse for one is about as bland as a Freddie Prinze Jr. movie. Notable, respected bands like Bile try to pick up the slack with a semi-interesting take on “Happiness In Slavery,” but for the most part, the effort is highly futile. Material ranging from 1989’s Pretty Hate Machine to 1999’s The Fragile is covered and subsequently slaughtered by various obscure bands. Here is a tip: Save money and listen to the original recordings. Use this CD only for nice days at the beach or the park when you need a frisbee.

Vitamin Records, PO Box 39439, Los Angeles, CA 90039


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