The Fragile

by Nine Inch Nails

The Fragile cover art

As a sprawling double album, 'The Fragile' moves away from the focused industrial aggression of its predecessor by incorporating a wide sonic palette of ambient soundscapes, extensive instrumental passages, and art-rock arrangements. Conceptually a sequel to 'The Downward Spiral', the record explores themes of decay and a failed attempt to create order from chaos, with Trent Reznor's vocals shifting to a more melodic and varied delivery. The production by Reznor and Alan Moulder layers intricate electronics and synthesizers against organic instrumentation, creating a dense, dynamic sound that, despite initial criticism for its length, is now regarded as one of the band's most ambitious and significant works.

Genres

  • Industrial Rock
  • Art Rock
  • Alternative Rock

Tracklist

  1. Somewhat Damaged
  2. The Day The World Went Away
  3. The Frail
  4. The Wretched
  5. We're In This Together
  6. The Fragile
  7. Just Like You Imagined
  8. Even Deeper
  9. Pilgrimage
  10. No, You Don't
  11. La Mer
  12. The Great Below
  13. The Way Out Is Through
  14. Into The Void
  15. Where Is Everybody?
  16. The Mark Has Been Made
  17. Please
  18. Starfuckers, Inc.
  19. Complication
  20. I'm Looking Forward To Joining You, Finally
  21. The Big Come Down
  22. Underneath It All
  23. Ripe (With Decay)