![Pretty Hate Machine [2010 Remaster]](http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B004DE4CI0&tag=thhepo-20)
In 1989 Trent Reznor, Nine Inch Nails, released his debut and masterwork Pretty Hate Machine. A synthesizer, drum machine rich album Reznor adds in layering guitars for depth and puts it all behind his angst ridden vocals. It took the genre of industrial music into the mainstream as the album grew a cult audience. It was able to reach a mainstream audience in part because the industrial harsh sounds and beats create the perfect backdrop for his solid angst riddled pop songs. This is a brilliant piece of work. The only problem with the album is that it's kind of like Rebel Without a Cause. If you're in your early 20's and full of angst then this album is fantastic. If you are in your early 40's not so much, it's just a bit too over the top.
So if you're in your early 20's and full of angst this will fit into your life perfectly, otherwise it's not something I'd pick up.
Following the Rhapsody rating method I give it 4 out of 5 stars for Really Good. Currently this album sits at number 70 on the Best of the 80's list.
I really missed this band. I associated it with that whole "Unbelievable" sound that seemed to be creeping into the college parties as I was winding down my college days. When I went looking for angst in music, I opted for the more ironic Replacements version. It wasn't until Nirvana that I paid even a lick of attention to any of these bands.
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