NINe Inch Nails

topofsm wrote: Nuke wrote: A bit of a random thought, but I've always been convinced that The Fragile was the sequel to The Downward Spiral (they're both concept albums). Consider how the left and right sides to the fragile start exactly where the downward spiral left off, hurt leads right into somewhat damaged and the day the world went away, or else the way out is through and into the void depending on which side you play first. Agree, disagree?   There are lots of NIN fans who seem to believe that The Fragile starts off where the Downward Spiral finished. I personally don't think so, since it seems to me the end of TDS with the self titled track and "Hurt" portray the main character in the concept commiting suicide by shooting himself. If that's the case, The Fragile would seem like one of those pitiful excuse for a sequel films that we get so much in theaters these days.   However, they're both two of my favorite albums.

Hmm, my interpretation of hurt was that he didn't commit suicide. See, the title track before hurt portrays a suicide from a 3rd person perspective, not first person. Then hurt says "I am still right here/what have I become" indicating that he didn't kill himself. I always thought the interesting thing about the lyrics is how the portrayel of suicide is much more positive than choosing  to live ("a lifetime of f**king things up fixed" vs. "full of broken thoughts/I cannot repair.") 

Dim wrote: The spoken word section in the downward spiral... "So much blood from such a tiny hole" Though Hurt doesnt really give away suicide as the end. I thought the title track made it very evident. I found the Fragile to be far inferior to the Downward spiral, so I didnt really listen to it as much, therefore didnt look in depth to the lyrics.   From the songs "the wretched" and "The day the whole world went away", They dont seem to be a continuation of the original concept lyrically... Though I really enjoy them.

Hmm, I went back and studied the lyrics, and it is really ambiguous. I don't really think that he kills himself in the title track, it is just too wierd having it in 3rd person and then having another track after it where he asks "what have I become" as if he is still alive. The interpretation that hurt is like an epilogue where his spirit looks back is ridiculous because he attacks the idea of religion in heresy. I'm pretty convinced that the main character is still alive at the beginning of hurt. The only thing that makes me think it could be suicide is the 3 ugly chords at the end of hurt after "if I could start again, a million miles away, I would keep myself, I would find a way." 

I think that the day the whole world went away follows into the new concept expressed by the fragile, which is more about despair than destruction. As if he were already at the bottom of the spiral when the album started...

I find it really difficult to watch that J Cash vid.  Always brings a tear to my eye so thanks to NIN for that, but I haven't found anything much yet I like, will give them another try so no vote.

Another vote for Crunchy Peanut Butter from me!