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| track 1: | slate |
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| track 2: | sanctified |
| track 3: | maybe just once |
| track 4: | the only time |
| track 5: | kinda i want to |
| track 6: | that's what i get |
| track 7: | purest feeling |
| track 8: | twist |
| track 9: | down in it |
| slate |
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The first time I listened to this intro instrumental it felt like this:
 But it's grown on me. I love the deep, forboding guitar and I actually appreciate all of the layered samples and instrumentation now. I think the drum beat is a really good base. This song reminds me of Rob Zombie in a really good way. Overall a really groovy song that I wish I had on spotify. It transitions beautifully into sanctified. .png)
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| sanctified |
| I actually really enjoy this version of sanctified, it sounds a lot messier than the PHM studio version but I like it. The vocals are a bit rough in some places but the instrumentation is interesting and different. I love the breakdown/bridge with the movie sample in there too. I honestly wish that made it into the final version. I love the seamless transition to track 3.
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| maybe just once |
| Maybe Just Once starts with an instrumental that sounds like the introduction to an 80s sitcom. But once the singing comes in, it really comes together IMO - it's very synth pop and I love that. It still definitely sounds like a coming-of-age movie credits song though. The instrumentals between singing are really nice, it's definitely not a bad song and I would burn this on an exercise CD mix or something. Like sanctified, there is a fun dialogue sample from a movie or something like that which I really enjoy. I'm sad that Trent thought these samples were distracting and cut them all out in PHM and the remastered 2010 version.
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| the only time |
| Starting with a sample of radio noises that remind me of Queens of the Stone Age, this early demo of The Only Time begins with a minimalistic drum beat and a funky keyboard. I find Trent's vocals on this song to be a bit harder to listen to as it is generally a very sensual song and it is clear he's getting used to being comfortable with expressing this kind of thing in a song. This song definitely sounds very experimental - sometimes there's random echoing of the vocals or interesting samples that don't quite fit in the song? I do like how echoed and loud the drums are during the chorus though. Trent has an unfortunate voicecrack at some point which was funny. Overall not a bad concept but I think the PHM version is much better and cleaner. Also, ouch for the ending of the song. I had headphones on and the keyboard riff or whatever that is got super loud out of nowhere.
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| kinda i want to |
| I actually prefer this version of Kinda I Want To over the PHM recording. It sounds more cheeky (?ew) and fun without being overly playful and childish - the delivery of the chorus is much more sinister compared to PHM. I think the more electronic and synthy vibe without being TOO much is done really well here. Also, the bridge is interesting - it took some getting used to but I like it. It's different from the usual NIN song formula. This song is super 80s which is always welcome. I love the outro. Overall a really good demo that I do actually prefer over the official recording.
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| that's what i get |
| I was so ready to dislike this song as I already don't like the PHM version, but I was actually really shocked? The instrumentation somehow makes the lyrics less pathetic teenage boy first heartbreak pity-party vibes and instead turns it into a synthpop resentful vibe? I love the addition of the "That's what I get (for trusting you)" in the second chorus, little adlibs like that really make the song. The bridge is chill and I kinda like that it doesn't stand out much. The instrumental building back into the final chorus is what really sold me on this version of the song - the sublte layering of instruments builds perfectly (the drums r a bit much tho) and the final chorus itself is a banger to finish on. I didn't think that there was a timeline where I'd enjoy this song again so I'm pleasantly surprised.
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| purest feeling |
| I love the trumpets theyre so fun!! Purest Feeling is unlike anything else NIN has published. The bassline is loud and I love that. I also love the drums - in general the drums on this demo are pretty good. I really like the lyrics and the chorus - the way the lines are delivered is really fun and almost jazzy, which is a nice difference from NIN's usual sound. Overall this song is good, it just feels like there's something missing - it doesn't sound FINISHED, like there's some gaps that needed some layering or something but just didn't get it. It had a lot of potential and I wish it got an actual studio recording.
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| twist |
| Twist is the demo of my favourite Pretty Hate Machine song, Ringfinger. The lyrics are quite a bit different but the instrumentation hasn't changed all that much - in the PHM recording it just sounds more professional and clean. Twist is quite masochistic, moreso than Ringfinger - at some points it's a bit edgy, especially when backed by a synthpop backingtrack. The chorus does have a sample or something like that saying "Twist," but it is honestly so unintelligable that you can't tell it's a voice at all - it sounds kinda like a jingling coin purse or something. I think Ringfinger takes this concept and uses it more powerfully with a more clear pronunciation. Overall this demo did lead to an amazing song, but this version just needs work. I'm so glad it got reworked into PHM.
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| down in it |
| God forbid a white boy catch a vibe. This version of Down In It makes me laugh so much because it's so EMPTY. WHERE DID THE INSTRUMENTS GO. I know what the intention was, but the drums are so aggressive for no reason and that alone with his monotonous vocals just kills me because it's so obvious he isn't confident with rapping yet. I do like the chorus more than the PHM version though, I think the emptiness works well there. Sometimes the echoing effect cuts in and out which just sounds like an accident rather than a design choice. I like the ending to Down In It here as well. I think it's funky and works well with the vibe of the song.
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| overall demo rating |
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| It's very interesting to hear Trent experimenting in the studio. Purest feeling is so different from anything he's ever made and it's almost a breath of fresh air after listening to PHM for so long - I think that the concepts on this album are solid and all of the songs could have been something if they were recorded professionally and worked on just a little bit longer. Comparing songs that did make the cut to their Pretty Hate Machine version is so fun, I love getting to see what creative choices were made to turn the songs into debut album material. I won't forgive them for what they did to That's What I Get, though.
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