Search - Nine Inch Nails :: Only

Can't Get Enough Nails...

Andrew Estes | Maine | 09/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you're a Nine Inch Nails fanatic, you don't need a review to tell you whether or not this latest single is worth picking up, you just buy these things (which are numbered in "Halos") regardless of their content. However, even if you aren't a die-hard, and you just love Nine Inch Nails and their superb new album, "With Teeth," this single is definitely worth checking out.



Not only do you get the uncut album version of the second single, "Only," but an enhanced portion of the disc features the music video, which was directed by David Fincher ("Fight Club," "Se7en"). But what makes this single great, as is the case with all singles and imports, is the b-sides. The "DFA Remix" of "Bite The Hand That Bleeds" is interesting, to say the least. I didn't like it at first, but after a few listens, it started to grow on me. I love the original (I'm one of the few who actually likes this so-called "accessible" song) and this remix gives it a complete overhaul and a different feel. The live, rehearsal version of "Love Is Not Enough," however, is actually better than the album version (which was already one of the strongest points of "With Teeth). Yes, it's live, but with no audience to distort it, it clearly shows how skilled Trent's band is. The song sounds much richer and more organic than the usual Nine Inch Nails track. The guitar and drums are especially outstanding, and really give the song more emotional weight. It would be kind of cool to hear more versions like this.



Basically, if you can't get enough of "With Teeth," the "Only" single is a way to keep going with somewhat new material. It won't appeal to anyone who doesn't already enjoy Trent or this particular album, but it definitely warrants a lot more listens than the average Nine Inch Nails single -- of which, there are many."

Another light-weight single from "With Teeth"

Michael Stack | North Chelmsford, MA USA | 04/04/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Only", the second single from "With Teeth", has something in common with its predecessor-- its of limited value. I picked it up and was pretty disappointed.



The single itself, "Only", isn't one of the ones I particularly enjoy on the album-- its got a nice enough funky bass line and drum beat, but Reznor's sing-speak "Down In It" styled vocal grates and the piece doesn't particularly hold my interest. Certainly it lacks the immediacy of "Down In It", and I'm generally inclined to want Reznor to look forward, not backward.



The b-sides aren't much better-- the DFA mix of "The Hand That Feeds" is yet another remix, this one pretty much a full techno mix. It's quite different, replete with an odd panting sample that gets somewhat irritating as the piece never ends (it rambles on for well over seven minutes). The live version of "Love is Not Enough" is the only saving grace on the single-- while its not one of the better songs on the record, its decent enough, and live it got bigger. The arrangement is the same, but its more direct and in your face.



For the casual listener, skip this one. The fan will be buying it regardless of what I say, but it's in line with the recent singles, not the older (and superior) ones."

Better than Halo 18

Matthew Bergmans | Wyoming, MI, USA | 09/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I consider myself a 'hardcore' NIN collector and fan. I can also sympathize with the casual listener as well though, as most of my friends are. This is overall a decent Halo. The version of ONLY is straight off WT, but the DFA Mix of THTF is probably the best official remix I've heard yet. I really dig the live rehearsal version of Love is Not Enough as well. It sounds raw and quite powerful. Like most if not all singles from NIN, this could be passed over by the casual listener, though it's definitely one of the better ones as of late. 3 music tracks and the video for 'Only,' directed by David Fincher. Kinda cool. I'd definitely recommend it for the collector though, as it's as top-notch as anything contemporary NIN has to offer."