Ghosts I - IV
Ghosts I - IV is the latest album from digital music revolutionary Trent Reznor, aka, Nine Inch Nails. Ghosts is an experimental project where, as Trent explained on the main NIN site, they spent only 10 weeks making a two CD, for part album. The album itself is 4 parts, each distintc yet intermixable, and each 9 separate songs. Plus, it’s entirely “In Rainbows” style: can get the first part free on the site, and purchase the rest as MP3s or actuall CDs + MP3s. (And the MP3s are 320 KBPS! Best quality possible!) And, in true Reznor Fuck-You-Record-Labels! style, the deluxe version has garagband and wave tracks for remixing, and is released under an open source license, so it’s free to copy and share for non-profit purposes!
Ghosts itself it the modern answer to the classical music of old. The 39 tracks are divided into four equal movements, each with 9 distinct parts. This style is similar of the expansive Jean Michel Jarre style works, and while it lacks the driven, storytelling lysics of Roger Waters, the musical representation and expression of emotion is powerful and intense. Recursively comparing it to previous NIN works, Ghosts combines elements ofthe Still sessions, Year Zero and The Downward Spiral era works into an elaborate and expansive blend. Lots of slow, lots of fast, acoustic and electric mixes, static bursts create an engaging and intensive ambient soundscape tailored for various tastes and musical prowess.
As an experiment, I would rate it a success, and recommend everyone to spend the $5 to buy the high-quality 320 KBPS MP3s! The free demo only has the first 9 tracks, part I, which is a good sampler but does not have some of the mroe meaty and more expressive songs in the set. This is a work of music not to be ignored.
On top of this, Trent has invited creative feedback via youtube! (Probably thanks to the open use license on the music, and independant producing!) He has invited people to create visuals for any of the ghosts tracks and will host a “film festival” type collection for them. You can check out more on this via the youtube channel (which is adult access only atm…)
The official channel has an introductary video, and the Ghosts site has a transcript writen up for easier viewing. This is probably the best way to give appreciation to an artists too, provide them something creative in return for the enjoyment of their art. If I had the means, I would add something to the ghosts film festival…but for now all I can do is try to hunt down a camera I can upload to youtube with. However, if anyone wants to make something for the film festival, I am all for it.
Links to check out:
