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And All That Could Have Been [Deluxe Edition],Nine Inch Nails

- And All That Could Have Been [Deluxe Edition]
- - 327,089 plays
  - 608 favs
  - 6 shares
Nine Inch Nails
Released 2002
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album review

Trent Reznor's protégé Marilyn Manson released the live Last Tour on Earth album in 1999 to try and capitalize on his dwindling success. The album was competent and sounded good, but did very little to the material to make it different from the album versions, causing the album to disappear without much of a fuss. Only three years later, Reznor finds himself in a touchier spot with similar results. It is not that he is no longer an important artist at this point, but his commercial success fell away during the four-year recording sessions for The Fragile, leaving him with a solid core base of fans but missing the commercial success he once enjoyed. This album, taken from the tour of that album, is much like Manson's live album in the sense that these renditions are not at all bad. But most of the songs found here are virtually the same as the album versions, with only rougher vocals and crowd noise to really change things up. The few songs from Pretty Hate Machine ("Terrible Lie," "Sin," "Head Like a Hole") get the best treatment, changed around to include better guitar work and more experimental samples that compliment the songs nicely. This same approach sinks "Suck," the Pigface cover that is the only track here that was not available on another Nine Inch Nails album. Where the original thrived on a shaky structure and Reznor's raging vocals, this time around there is a solid base that may bring more sense to the song but takes away all of the drive. Reznor is an excellent vocalist, but his live work is barely different from his studio work, except for the moments where he is obviously too far away from the microphone. The band plays quite well but does little to give the music any of the spark that it deserves. In fact, that is the main problem with the album -- there is a distinct lack of energy that gives this the feel of a cash-in, not a genuine live experience. Nine Inch Nails is a powerful live force, but this album does not reflect the intensity they can muster in a live setting. Fans of Reznor may enjoy this very much, but to the casual listener this is like a muddy-sounding greatest hits. Those lucky enough to get the bonus disc that comes with this version of the album are in for a pleasant surprise. The entire second disc is an album-length "unplugged" featuring Reznor's quieter songs. This is prime Nine Inch Nails, displaying that with a minimum of two or three instruments he can still give an incredible performance. His vocals are wonderful and the music is top-notch, making this collector's edition a much more enticing buy for fans. ~ Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide

more albums by this artist

See all

- - With Teeth (Parental Advisory)
  - Released 2005

- - Year Zero
  - Released 2007

- - The Downward Spiral (Parental Advisory)
  - Released 1994

- - Pretty Hate Machine
  - Released 1989

listener reviews

- - No no no. You are WRONG, sir!
  - - By Bryce In Chains
    - 9/13/2009 02:11:22
  - Whose this Bradley fellow? And who gave him the authority to write this review? The whole thing's rubbish. I agree with the other folks. This dude doesn't know what the hell he's talking about. I bet this guy doesn't even OWN a zune. Screw you buddy. Tell you what, go get yourself a zune, put this album on there, put those earbuds in, turn that shit up to 11, and after this album floods your senses full of nails, re-write this review. But until then, piss off! I'm sure I speak for every last one of the NIN fans.
  - 2 out of 2 people
  - think this is useful

- - What!?! Who wrote that review?
  - - By baby zipppy
    - 9/12/2009 11:45:40
  - And All That Could Have Been DID change things up on more than just the pretty hate machine tracks. For example, one of the best versions of The Day The World Went Away is on this album. NIN live is how NIN is heard best, Trent Reznor knows this, as well as his fans. Also, Suck IS available on another album! Broken has Suck on it. This proves that whoever wrote this album review has NO IDEA what they are talking about.
  - 3 out of 3 people
  - think this is useful

- - Live! What we all want to hear
  - - By theprose
    - 8/21/2009 20:30:44
  - I am speaking for myself of course, as a NIN fan I enjoyed every second of this album. I am a little resentful of the "album review." I know that fans not critics will also enjoy this louder, heavier version of all their faves. I would tell anyone new to NIN to give a listen. It's; in my own words a "Greatest Hits Live" and it is live I love to listen to this album.
  - 4 out of 4 people
  - think this is useful