Sunday, August 19, 2007

Checking in with Trent, Part 3

Is it sad that the best part of this performance is when the noise kicks in towards the middle? Trent, honey, you sound way too out of breath, the pitch is all off, you're screechy/screamy in all the wrong places (really the best part of this song is how smooth and controlled your voice is...was...whatever), and are you fucking making a shadow puppet bird in the beginning?

For any of those who want to start shit and say “well NIN live has never completely sounded like the album versions. That’s part of what Trent loves about touring is how the songs get changed up”, just hold up. Some of my favorite songs are the live versions. See pretty much anything off the And All That Could Have Been DVD. Even with all the love in the world for this man, I still have to call it like I see it this time. Goddammit Trent, this was a highly anticipated song to hear live for me too. Dammit, dammit, dammit.

Thanks to Rob for trying to get a closer shot of the stage...even if it didn’t quite work either.

I will say you look cute here, Trent. Short, but cute.


Grumpy Iris out.


Edit: So if you're one of the ones wondering what the fuck I'm complaining about and can't see the embedded video, check the new live performance video on nin.com of The Great Destroyer.

.

94 comments:

maise said...

Oh man, I was hoping that you were just being grumpy, Iris, but um, this song totally sounds like shit. I love the song, don't get me wrong! His voice just sounds really strained.

And the hand gesture thing is, well, totally gay.

But he looks hot with James Murphy, at least!

maise said...

Also, I just want to point out that it's impossible to keep track of whether or not Amy Winehouse is actually in rehab.

Iris said...

Regarding the hand gesture, Mr. Iris said that Trent should change the lyrics to "I hope they cannot see / just how gay I can be".

maise said...

Not that there's anything wrong with being totally gay.

We just like our Trent selling himself as straight. That's all.

Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Iris said...

He was probably just really getting into the song, thinking “I sound awesome”, and didn’t realize what kind of “moves” he was doing. I can totally relate since all afternoon I’ve been ridiculously dancing around the house while cleaning but there’s a big difference between busting out my inner dancing queen moves in front of the laundry baskets and him playing onstage for thousands. Get a grip Trent.

b.c. bishop said...

Guys, no offense, but what the hell are you talking about? I check PP to see how everybody is loving the Uneasy Lies The Head tracks, and there's a post about "this performance" and how it sucks, only no mention of WTF performance you're talking about, what song, or any fucking thing.

Maybe my browser is cutting off the first half of your post where you explain what the crap you're talking about, but just in case not - what the crap are you talking about?

Anonymous said...

Wow, that was pretty bad.

And those cords are really distracting. Unfortunately, not distracting enough for me to forget how hard that sucked. It's as though Trent forgot how to perform.

Over the hill!

D:ANGEL said...

all right I know I'm gonna get tons of shit for this but it's the truth:

Trent and NIN ALWAYS sound this bad.

Shush. I'm right.

"But Danny Angel, the live recordings I have..." have professional overdubs by the band to fix their fuck ups. THEY DO.

"But Danny Angel, I've seen them live and..." Take away the atmosphere and volume and strip it down to just the performance and this is what it sounds like.

I can't make an excuse for the wierd hand thing but this was the only song off YZ and I think it sounds OK, a little rough, sure... but its not god awful or anything...

D:ANGEL said...

the only song off YZ that I liked, is what I meant to write...

Anonymous said...

Bravo, Danny Angel, for you speak the truth. I don't care what anyone else says--you're totally right.

b.c. bishop said...

Okay, call me crazy for agreeing with Danny Angel for multiple times in a week, but, um... yeah. What's the big problem with that performance?

Yeah, the clanky/jangly guitar is way up in your face more than in the record, but that's the way they've been doing stuff live for this record (and WT for that matter) -- and it does make it sound more live and immediate. Vocals aren't as polished as the record either, but, once again: LIVE SONG. Trent has always sounded like this to varying degrees in concert.

The second half isn't the "best" part, in my opinion -- its simply the part that sounds most precisely like the record. Which is probably because most of it was recreated in software, and live you're hearing the exact same sounds that you hear on the record. Personally I don't consider that better per se; it may sound more like old nails live, but old nails (re: fragility tour and before) relied much more on this technique; i.e., some backing tracks and sampling each individual sound from each individual song so what was being played back live was a sonic recreation of the record.

This new band has stepped away from that, which is why you'll hear Aaron North play what was a formerly a keyboard part on his guitar. Certain songs seem to work better than others in this regard, but you can't deny it's not more visceral and present; i.e., "in the moment".

In any case, I bet the energy in the room was fucking intense, and almost every person in that crowd would disagree with your assessment. And that's who they're playing for, not YouTube.

Anonymous said...

Where in that essay do you actually agree with Angelman?

D:ANGEL said...

he agrees with me in the sense that to the audience who was there with all the volume and intensity this was a great performance.

To us on youtube with an out of balance sound mix... not so much.

I just thought of the best bc/danny angel story... I should type it on my blog.

I'm doing like 8 years worth of spring cleaning right now and have found some gems of music, but more importantly pictures and handwritten stories... they are so bad/good I'm crying right now...

Iris said...

"He agrees with me in the sense that to the audience who was there with all the volume and intensity this was a great performance."

I'm sorry but where the hell was that in your original point? That sounded like something that he came up with himself and now you're the one agreeing with him.

D:ANGEL said...

uh... maybe when I said:

"But Danny Angel, I've seen them live and..." Take away the atmosphere and volume and strip it down to just the performance and this is what it sounds like."

The reverse of that (that the audience that hears it loud in a venue will be impressed by it) is what I said and what BC agrees with me on.

Should I draw it out with stick figures or do you get it now?

Iris said...

And you promote your own blog here almost as much you comment on our content. Why don't you just ask us to link you up already?

Even though I still sound like a grump I am interested in seeing what you've turned up.

D:ANGEL said...

BC (gabriel) is whoring out his band blatantly and I'm the promoter?

And let's not forget where PP started... posting on WTC...

I actually did find some funny stuff - but it has to go through the necessary clearances...

Anonymous said...

I agree, Iris...their agreement seems tenuous to me. I agree with DA, but I don't see the agreement with DA in BC's entry.

But that's all a distraction from the real point--that this footage was not good. Is it magic every time TR steps out on stage? No, of course not. Is it always this bad? DA says yes, I tend to agree that it's not the same if you're not there in person, and BC says he agrees with DA but then just goes on and on with his own points.

Whatever. This footage sucked!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad I've kept it classy and never mentioned my podcasts or anything over here. Phew.

D:ANGEL said...

Yeah hey - BC HIMSELF he agreed with me. Then he expounded upon my brilliance.

Iris said...

BC (Gabriel) at least had the decency to ask first unless I happened to miss that email from you.

OH CHRIST...now you too JR.

Maise where are you?!?!

D:ANGEL said...

BC - can I post the story about that night with Pete and Cantor's (the food place)?

Anonymous said...

Whoops, that link just slipped into my entry, Iris. Sorry.

Anonymous said...

Well, I just hope that whatever this story is, it doesn't lose anything by not being there in person...if you catch my drift. You know, without the volume and the vibe from the crowd and all...

D:ANGEL said...

I'm building anticipation - I wonder if I need the permission of the WELL KNOWN recording artists who were involved?

Anonymous said...

Oh, we're going to Milli Vanilli-ville!

Iris said...

Oooh JR...let's play how well do you know your 80s?

Anonymous said...

Well, not that it's a big surprise, but I'm apparently "totally fly" and got 13 out of 15 correct.

maise said...

What? I've been watching the Travel Channel all night..."No Reservations" with Anthony Bourdain and "Bizarre Foods" with that bald guy who eats all the weird shit.

Dan, have you ever even been to a NIN show? Live? In person? You? If not, then you can't really say that's how he always sounds. If you have, then you likely didn't like it because he wasn't Dave Mustaine. Admit it...it's the way you operate, and we all know it.

Meanwhile, I've shared an arena with Trent Reznor once or twice or five times, and I can say that his vocals are *terrible* on this, and usually he's on key and hitting all the right emotional notes.

I can't speak with as much authority as B.C., I'm sure, but I *can* speak without as much retroactive hating as he'll muster.

If the YouTube video is any indication of the quality of the performance, it sucked. And no, Trent does not suck *all the time*.

maise said...

Ha, now that I re-read B.C.'s comment, I think I'm actually doing more hating than he is for once!

My apologies! Not for the hating, which is justified in this case, but for mischaracterizing our B.C.'s message of hope.

D:ANGEL said...

Maise, darling, I'm gonna have to play the "you don't have any FUCKING clue card" on you.

Have I seen NIN live? No. Have I spent the last 20 years playing shows, and recording my band, having it record live, etc? Yes.

I have copies of MY shows where it was videotaped from the crowd and where the sound was recorded straight into the soundboard. There is a HUGE difference. The videotaped one, with booming, echoing atmosphere of the venue and crowd is great - the one off the soundboard where you can hear every little mistake, every breath, is not. Same performance heard different ways.

BC Gabriel will tell you you can hide little mistakes live, not when you record direct.

I bet that same performance taped from the crowd would sound great (minus the weird hand thing). I never said Trent always sucks, but he does ALWAYS sound like that, even if you never get to hear it like that.

When BYIT came out, BC Gabriel got it for me for my birthday and we watched it in its entirety on my 5.1 system. Although I love metal, I like other music too.

So while I appreciate you trying to one up me... and I hate to do this... I have just PWND you on your own blog.

Anonymous said...

Big surprise here, but I'm with the boys on this one, and yes I have seen NIN a time or two.

In fact, when I saw them on the Spiral tour, it was the best show I'd ever seen, so I was really excited to see them for Teeth. And it fell a little short. I assumed it was due to a combination of Trent being sober and my being older, but I think the truth is that I wasn't looking to get the same things out of it as I was in '94 or whenever Spiral was.

The boys are right: the bulk of the experience is communal, in being there, which is why live performances of ANY type are important community builders, but it's also why it doesn't always translate to a YouTube video, a retouched officially released CD or DVD.

The one thing we all seem to be in agreement on is the fact that the hand gesture is soooo stupid. And like a really lame rip off of Michael Stipe circa 1987, which was a rip off of some other Athens band whose name I can't remember...only it was cool when Stipe did it.

maise said...

I'm not in disagreement that a) a live show is not going to be the same experience when it's recorded for YouTube or that b) a live show is not going to be perfect.

I am, however, in full disagreement with THIS statement of yours, A-man:

Trent and NIN ALWAYS sound this bad.

No, no they don't. And there's *no way* you can make this statement with any kind of authority...I don't care how many shows YOU have done. If Trent was always this off-key, I wouldn't have made it a point to see him live so many times. It should also be pointed out that "The Great Destroyer" is a lot more challenging vocally than the rest of his lineup.

You didn't PWN shit.

Anonymous said...

Hey, Danny Angel, whatever happened to the story we were supposed to be told about the time that you guys went to the Milli Vanilli cassette tape signing?

(P.S. I prefer the screen name "Angelman" because every time I see this one, I get the song "Johnny Angel" stuck in my head.)

maise said...

Yeah, I've got to agree with JR on the whole "Danny Angel" thing.

Anonymous said...

God that song is catchy.

D:ANGEL said...

I need clearance before the story can be released.

Clearance from the BC.

Iris said...

Still building up the suspense, are we?

D:ANGEL said...

I actually am waiting for clearance.

You remember the uproar caused when BC Gabe had an unauthorized pic featuring a wallet in the _front_ pocket.

You'd think a pic pf him naked in a clown hat had been posted.

I honestly think I couldn't be more tired than I am right now.

maise said...

Jesus, I do remember that. CROP, DAMN YOU, CROP!!!!

It's always best to obtain clearance from The BCB.

D:ANGEL said...

you see what I am working with?

BC likes to manage his image CAREFULLY.

Iris said...

Okay DA I just about choked on my lunch with that last comment. But yeah. I remember.

Resume awaiting clearance status.

Anonymous said...

It's probably going to be a bitch now that Rob Pilatus is dead. Shit.


Mmmm, the wallet picture. I think it was *my* fault for noticing.

Anonymous said...

Hey, wait a minute, I've got a great idea.

Why don't you post the story in a "Choose Your Adventure" style? That way you're not really telling the story, just allowing us to guess whether we're correct or not.

Like this:
"So then BC and DA went to the Tower Records and stood in line in the rain for four hours to see...
A. New Kids on the Block
B. Milli Vanilli
C. Tiffany

When they finally met ______, they almost fainted at the chance to have _____ sign their cassette tapes. They also had to purchase additional cassette tapes because these signed copies were clearly collector's items and could no longer be played in their tape players."

Well, it's so obvious how this story came up--didn't you say you were doing some long overdue spring cleaning? You found the _____ tapes!

Iris said...

Actually I think it probably would be a more embarrassing scenario for him if he’d been caught wearing this.

And yes, that’s Wil Wheaton (Wesley Crusher) all grown up. Isn’t he cute? Except for the sweater which is totally gay.

D:ANGEL said...

I'll give you a hint:

The band is european, it involved ungodly amounts of alcohol, it involved porn and things were broken.

D:ANGEL said...

My woman and I went to the borders by our old place and he was there talking to a small, rabid crowd about some book he wrote.

I got her a signed picture. he wrote "love, Wil" then looked up suddenly and said "It's for a girl right??!?!?"

Iris said...

I haven't read his book but now he writes articles about his Star Trek days, Star Trek conventions, and other "geek" stuff on SuicideGirls.com.

D:ANGEL said...

shit I though for sure my little teaser would arouse interest...

maise said...

It did, but unfortunately I have no idea whom you're talking about.

Iris said...

Oh it has DA. We're all currently searching out Europeon band porn on our work computers RIGHT NOW!

Anonymous said...

"The band is european, it involved ungodly amounts of alcohol, it involved porn and things were broken."

Confirmation: Milli Vanilli.

Advantage: JR

maise said...

It's gotta be the Scorpions. Rock you like a hurricane!

D:ANGEL said...

its a no-go, kids...

The BC has spoken.

Iris said...

You get us all worked up and anticipating like a virgin on prom night and now...nothing? I feel gypped. You know you could probably make something up and we wouldn't know the difference.

Anonymous said...

Well, if I use my imagination instead...

Whoa.

Whoa.

WHOA.

maise said...

That's the way the BC rolls, I'm afraid.

maise said...

Is anyone else feeling bored and uninspired today? Hurry up, someone on the internet entertain me!

Anonymous said...

I bet that BC story would have been entertaining. Dammit.

I vote we make up our own story.

Iris said...

Good idea JR. Let's make it a chain story where everyone helps carry it on. I'll start.

"BC & DA were never the type to go looking for wild adventures. Adventures, you could say, just always seemed to find them. This particular Friday evening was no exception. As they made their way across town to meet up at..."

maise said...

You know, I was pondering a new post today, but there's absolutely NOTHING interesting going on in the world of music today. I have decreed.

Anonymous said...

'kay Iris.

"As they made their way across town to meet up at their favorite ice cream shop, they noticed something shiny in the gutter.

"I'm not touching that, Danny, but pick it up and see what it is," BC said.

"Like hell, BC. Why dont..."

Iris said...

"...you go screw yourself"

"But I think that's a golden ticket!" said BC. "Like Charlie was bragging about."

"But that chocalate factory has been shut down for years, BC."

"Look!" exclaimed BC, pointing at a strange man in a purple suit and matching top hat. "Is that Old Man Wonka?"

"No,BC. That's a pimp. Look at the long feather in his hat."

"I think he's motioning for us to come over. Let's go see what he wants, Danny."

Anonymous said...

"...Let's go see what he wants, Danny."

They both took a deep breath, straightened their posture and tried to look nonchalant as they made their way over to the pimp. He was known to most as Big Daddy Chocolate, and he was often mistaken for Old Man Wonka by those who didn't know better.

"Hey there, youngblood," Big Daddy Chocolate said. "You like to have fun?"

"Yeah," they mumbled, unsure of what BDC was getting at.

"Well, I know a place with a lot of fun people where a couple of playboys like yourselves could have a good time."

Danny tried to look at BC out of the corner of his eye. He had a feeling of instant dread when he saw BC's face light up with a smirk.

Big Daddy Chocolate held his hand out, and before Danny could say anything, BC had snatched the..."

b.c. bishop said...

Sounds pretty accurate so far.

D:ANGEL said...

I worked out last nite, hard.

In 3 months *I* will be THE GREAT DESTROYER.

D:ANGEL said...

WILL SOMEONE TELL BC TO TAKE HIS SHIRT OFF AND GET OVER TO MY PLACE SO WE CAN WORKOUT?

b.c. bishop said...

Stop what you're doing everyone -- somebody wants attention...

Anonymous said...

DA, if you're contributing to the story, please quote the last line of the last entry first.

Thanks.

D:ANGEL said...

I'M NOT CONTRIBUTING.

it's time for me to get back to my insane workout days of 1998. The days when my neck disappeared.

All I ask of BC is that he come over and work out with me without his shirt on and he's being a big baby about it and insisting we invade Canada.

BULLSHIT!

Anonymous said...

So THAT'S where my cough syrup went to.

D:ANGEL said...

I USED TO BE ALL RIPPED UP!

not just my abs... but the WHOLE THING.

OPEARTION DAN GETS FUCKIN RIPPED UP is now underway.

SHIRTS OFF!

Iris said...

...snatched the business card. They recognized it as the same "ticket" they had seen in the gutter. Up close it was a guady looking thing with with an address scrawled on the front in red fleck, parchmont font.

"The Red Velvet" whispered BC as the letters gleaned in the streetlamp light.

"You boys just head up there & ask for Delish. Tell them BDC sent you."

"Thanks!" said BC and they headed on their way.

"I'm not going to get my vegan mint chocolate chip ice cream cone, am I?" mumbled Danny.

"Oh shut up already. You will too. The place is called The Red Velvet, you know, like the cake? And the lady's name is Delish. I'm sure they've got some ice cream there."

As they strode up the walkway of the blood colored stone building with the stone gargoyles watching from above, it was evident there would be no ice cream for either of the boys on this night.

"I'm not so sure about this place, BC."

Just then the front door opened revealing...

maise said...

[sorry to interrupt the story...I hope to contribute later...Ugh, I've been working at work all day. Completely unacceptable.

Meanwhile, DA, why is it exactly that you need to hang out with B.C. with your shirts off?]

D:ANGEL said...

why?

WHY?

Picture this: BC comes in, we high five. Shirts come off. We take turns bench pressing, while the other guy acts as a spotter.

We both have handlebar mustaches.

We both have mirrored sunglasses.

Queen's "we will rock you" plays on the soundsystem.

It is lit all soft and diffused like an early 80s music video. Mirrors, white walls, with tiled floor panels that eminate soft white light.

DOES IT ALL MAKE SENSE NOW?

b.c. bishop said...

We're in a video by The Killers?

D:ANGEL said...

no - like "Hungry Like The Wolf"

we are also oiled up with really short 80s soccer shorts on.

and halfway through the workout Frankie Goes to Hollywood's RELAX comes on, so we just relax and chill out.

Anonymous said...

Oh, of course. I get it now.

Angelman is telling us "the story", but is doing so in his version of code.

D:ANGEL said...

exactly.

Iris said...

Well whatever oh-Danny-boy. You're still an ass for interupting what could have been a funny story. Even if you were kind of turning out to be the girl in it.

Anonymous said...

Oh, we've got to continue the story. Start a new thread if you've gotta.

So what I can glean from this codified version of "the story" is that Angelman and BC were in the "Let's Get Physical" video? Or there was a gay porn experience?

D:ANGEL said...

its really not that codified.

BC and I engage in these "borderline" acts all the time.

Oh and Iris? If you could see me work out with my handlebar mustache you would know I am ALL SAVAGE MAN.

Anonymous said...

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm.....suddenly, I am having a craving for some Pringles.

D:ANGEL said...

NOW WE ARE TALKING!

Why won't BC get down with this?

Iris said...

Send me a picture Savage Man.

Anonymous said...

I mean, really, what woman can resist a mustache? Especially handlebar. It's like the king of mustaches.

Tell me, when you work out, do you do any squats..? What about dead lifts..?

D:ANGEL said...

My new workout:

HOTT

D:ANGEL said...

And:

HOTTER

I'll see if i have some pics...

Anonymous said...

So how often do you and BC act out the "(Let's Get) Physical" video?

Yum.

Anonymous said...

I just ordered five packages of these.

Persephone™ said...

I realize this may be a bit off topic, but I found this over on the comment section of the nin website:

http://undergroundmagazin.hu/galeria.php?id=2150

It would appear the gloves are back as well....wonder what Dierdre would think about this....

maise said...

You know, with the gray button-up shirt and the tie and the fisting gloves, it's totally like when you're working at JC Penney for the summer, and you've got this bitchy supervisor who's all uptight in his short-sleeved shirt with a tie, and when you're 15 minutes late one day, he's all, "I need to see you in my office NOW." So you go to his office, then all of a sudden, he's got these fisting gloves on and promising you you can take whatever clothes you want from the St. John's Bay merchandise that hasn't been stocked yet as long as you don't say anything...and that's happened to *everyone*, right?

Meanwhile, I'm all for B.C. and D.A. reenacting the Olivia Newton John "Physical" video, ESPECIALLY if those teeny tiny shorts are involved. You ALL know how I feel about those. Rawr!

Ro said...

I never took BC or DA as whitey tighties men....

Persephone™ said...

Gabriel, I couldn't agree more. After looking at all those pictures I just wanted to sit down and cry. They truly are some of the most unflattering photos I have ever seen. Especially the ones where he's clutching his guitar to his chest with the most paranoid expression in his eyes. As if he's saying, "Don't let them take my guitar away!"

Jesus, Trent....what the hell?