The Becoming
A comparison of one of my favourite Nine Inch Nails tracks; The Becoming, from the studio album The Downward Spiral and again from the remix album Still. I think I developed a better appreciation for The Downward Spiral version after I heard The Becoming on Still.
Which version of The Becoming do you like best?
I’m generally uninterested in remix albums but after copious enthusiastic recommendations I purchased Still and it really blew me away. Not a true remix album; it was produced as an accompaniment to the live album and DVD set And All That Could Have Been.
Maybe it was because the first time I listened to it properly it was on my iPod, at well past midnight in a deathly quiet hostel room halfway around the world – but I realised that sometimes it’s what you don’t hear that makes more of an impact that what you do. Subdued and deconstructed (just how I like my clothes) with only the barest essentials left behind; the guts that remain reveal the most powerful elements of this emotionally wrenching track, naked and beautiful.
Along with similarly deconstructed tracks Something I Can Never Have and The Fragile as well as unreleased tracks such as Adrift And At Peace; Still is a stunning aural experience.
Responses ( 7 )
anna shared this comment on Jul 18 10 at 5:58 PMawww this song :D
just j’adore your blog and your store.
xx
anna shared this comment on Jul 18 10 at 6:36 PMps
ahh of course i refer to the first version. its dirty. raw. and i love it. the remix is, in comparison, only a shadow.
Lana shared this comment on Jul 18 10 at 7:48 PMAhh, still love this track! Great to compare the two versions, but don’t make me decide which I like more!!
lucinda shared this comment on Jul 18 10 at 10:09 PMThe album version will always be my favourite, it’s superbly produced and I prefer the ending with the simple guitar melody. That said I enjoyed watching Trent and friends playing the remix.
M. Seth shared this comment on Jul 19 10 at 10:45 AMTDS version, by a long shot, though that’s probably because it was the version I grew up with. The production on that album was so innovative AND so simple that it hasn’t really dated at all. For an album made with that particular technology, that’s no mean feat. Having said that, Still version is far superior to the recent live versions, with Trent dancing around with a tambourine coming across all too much like Gary Numan.
Shan shared this comment on Jul 23 10 at 12:32 AMTDS version, for sure. That whole album is just … woah. I might give it a re-listen over the weekend, if I can borrow lovely husband’s super dooper headphones. I only own the free with ipod kind, and they suck.
Fox shared this comment on Aug 11 10 at 6:12 PMTrent Reznor is my hero a musical genius, and Nine inch nails my favourite band.
