Trent Reznor, mastermind behind industrial rock group Nine Inch Nails, is no stranger to the realm of Top Songs in the genre of Sexy Rock Music. And if you were to ask anyone who has dipped their head into the rock world for an iota of time, they would be able to come up saying NIN’s “Closer” definitely deserves a spot on any Top 10 list.
But what about Trent’s other bands/projects? What about How To Destroy Angels, the band he shares with his wife, Mariqueen, and friend/collaborator Atticus Ross? What about his soundtracks, also co-composed by Ross? His remixes/covers?
How’s about we dip into less charted territory?
Here’s an example of a playlist utilizing Trent Reznor’s sexy deep cuts:
1. All Time Low (Nine Inch Nails – Hesitation Marks)
Start the ball rolling with this loud mid-tempo funk song, which sounds very akin to “Closer” (Trent even inserts verses from “Closer” when he performs “All Time Low” live). Between the dissonant 70’s style guitar of Adrian Belew, the staccato bass lines of Pino Palladino, and the drugged out arpeggiator at the end of the song, this song takes you on a drunken sexual journey. Good way to start things off.
2. Get Down Make Love (Nine Inch Nails – Sin)
Bring up the angst a bit with Trent’s industrial version of Queen’s deep track from “News of the World”. Produced by Ministry’s Al Jourgensen, Trent’s distorted vocals make him sound all the more desperate and sexually frustrated, completely the opposite of Freddy Mercury’s confident “I’m the provider of all things sexual, now do what I say.” Trent’s take is more “Do what I say??? PLEASE?! BEFORE WE ALL DIE OF BLUE BALLS!!!!”
3. 27 Ghosts III (Nine Inch Nails – Ghosts I-IV)
Keep the angst and noise high. This super deep cut is an instrumental from a series of instrumental EP’s called “Ghosts”. These EP’s were the main reason David Fincher asked Trent and Atticus to score his films. Fincher would put songs from “Ghosts” in the soundtrack of “The Social Network” to test the feel of things, trying to hear what the difference would be between a darker score and a score of more upbeat rock songs from Elvis Costello.
4. Only (El-P Remix) (Nine Inch Nails — Every Day Is Exactly the Same)
This half-timed version of NIN’s hit single “Only” by hip hop artist El-P changes the original disco feel into a super sexually charged schmorgasbord of sweaty beats/turntable effects. Technically not made by Trent, specifically, but shut up. It’s part of the Halo canon (Halos being Nine Inch Nails’ official catalog system). This will totally work in your favor.
5. The Loop Closes (How to Destroy Angels – Welcome Oblivion)
An almost instrumental song, this tune brings electronica and exotic instrumentation together, solidified by another “Closer”-ish beat. A great song that utilizes a rising dynamic throughout, starting soft, it steadily climbs its way into forte (and you should be climbing to your own forte) before releasing its energy and resolving in a blippy electronic pianissimo. It’s also great to hear Trent and his wife riffing together in the vocals.
6. Reptile (Nine Inch Nails – The Downward Spiral)
A classic NIN song from a classic album, but a deep cut, nonetheless. Trent is totally in his element of sexual frustration and loss. Take things to a darker tone (which, considering everything on this playlist is dark, is saying something).
7. Closer (Precursor) (Nine Inch Nails – Closer to God)
I know I said we’d stick to more uncharted territory, so why is “Closer” showing up? Touche. BUT this is a remix done by Coil. If you’ve seen the opening credits to “Se7en” (by the aforementioned David Fincher, no less) then you’ve heard this really great take on NIN’s biggest single. It’s dirty, sludgy, long, and has a slightly more disturbing feel than the original.
8. A Familiar Taste (Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross – The Social Network)
This song is a revisited and altered version of a song from Nine Inch Nails’ “Ghosts” collection. But I like this version better. In the film, “The Social Network”, it plays while Mark Zuckerberg is imagining what happens at all the frat parties he’d like to attend when they invite young college ladies over for a night of drunken, sexual revelry. This song is a good warmer upper for the next track on the list…
9. Vessel (Nine Inch Nails – Year Zero)
I love this track. This truly rivals “Closer”‘s reign of sexiest NIN song of all time. This one’s pumping, throbbing gristle is great for the more violent sexual rompers out there. The noise, the blips, the groove: it’s perfect.
10. Consummation (Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross – Gone Girl)
This one’s dark. The darkest on the list. And it’s last for a reason. I won’t say what happens in the film “Gone Girl”, but this song occurs during its most poignant and violent scene. I would use this song to bring on the climax when it comes to your playlist. The slow pulse, the rising cacophony (it sounds like your speakers are being ripped apart), all lend themselves to the perfect ending (read: orgasm) of your ten song Trent Reznor sex fest.
***11. Sugar Storm (Reprise) (Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross – Gone Girl)
As a bonus, use this song as you come down. It’s short but pleasant to listen to. It also has the perfect major key ending, a great cherry on top of everything you’ve just listened to.***
If you enjoyed this list, check out another example of a sexy rock music playlist that I’ve compiled that doesn’t just use Nine Inch Nails to full effect:
http://www.patchbandmusic.com/sexy-rock-music-top-10-sexy-rock-songs/
But yes, “Closer” might show up near the end.