I have been lucky enough to get my hands on an advance promo copy of the new NIN & .........It's a little different. Definitely the most "radio" album Trent Reznor has done yet. Not that it is bad, just not great. I am sure it will grow in me, but I remember when I got 'The Fragile' & Downward Spiral' I was hooked immediately. I would probaly give it 2.5 out of 5 at the moment, but it probaly needs a few more spins before I can give a final rating...
I've got the new tracks and I think they kick ass! Mind you I am one of the biggest NIN fans you'll ever meet, but I think I can be somewhat objective. It sounds different, but thats how every NIN album is. Although there are certain tracks that really remind me of past albums. For example "You Know what you are" is a classic NIN kick in the face that sounds like it could have been on The Downward Spiral. "Only" is one of my favorite tracks so far and definitly has an 80's feel and would have fit right in on Pretty Hate Machine. "The Line Begins To Blur" sounds like something that could have been left over from The Fragile recordings. As for other tracks, "Beside You in Time" and "Right Where it Belongs" are two of the best and close out the album. Right Where it Belongs is a great closer and is right up there with "Hurt" in my opinion. I had really high expectations for this release, and I'm happy that it has met them. I'm going to the shows in Houston and Austin next month so can't wait to hear the new tracks live!