@@iximusic Same here. I haven't listened to NIN for years upon years, associating Trent's music in my adult years with teenage/early twenties depression and generally bad times in my life, and not remembering about the nuances of the music that go beyond those feelings. You've helped me to rediscover NIN from a different perspective, that of beauty, curiosity, and complexity. Thank you.
I think Trent was at the peak of his isolation and addiction at this point and i think i remember reading in an interview leading up to the Fragile release him saying that it was much more bleak than Downward Spiral. I always found that interesting because to me Fragile is a much "prettier" album. Almost as if Downward was the struggle and Fragile was the acceptance. Who knows. I do know that he had a lot of trouble arranging the tracks to make everything flow to the point where the CD, Cassette and Vinyl versions all have different intros and outros and over the years people have made ultimate mixes blending all the missing tracks together. It's interesting. I remember between me and a couple friends we had it on all formats. I had the cassette and cd. My friend was smart and bought it on vinyl which goes for hundreds of dollars that first pressing. But we would spend hours listening to the differences.
I just watched an interview where he was saying that it was hard to arrange the tracks.That if they were in the wrong order it sounded like a mess. I had no idea there were alternate endings and beginnings to that extent. What a great group of friends :)
@@iximusic yeah The Fragile came out at a very pivotal time for me. Highschool. Just got a car and the anticipation was intense. The Day the World Went Away single came out the summer before the album dropped, no internet mind you, and it was such a good teaser for the album. My best friend and I listened to the single for hours as the sun went down on a boombox in his driveway. I've never anticipated an album as much before or since. Kid A by Radiohead was close as well as Syro by Aphex Twin(waited 13 years) but nothing else has ever been as satisfying because The Fragile was worth the 5 years waiting for it. Though we had a few things to hold us over like The Perfect Drug single, Further Down the Spiral, Lost Highway soundtrack and even Antichrist Superstar to a degree.
Nine Inch Nails was one of the first artists I became absolutely obsessed with and that passion never really went away, so I'm in LOVE with your channel.
"It doesn't feel settled" I'm not really sure how to describe this, but for me it does, and the only way I can say it is to wax poetic - You have to find the beauty in the gray. It's the calm comfort of ambivalence.
@@iximusic like you, i write songs too, and thinking about modes while i play or write makes the work and the final piece much more interesting and emotional. I have you to thank!
Before watching this video, I never considered this song to be dark or sad AT ALL. Adrift and At Peace was a song I relied on to (quite literally) be adrift and at peace. It was a kind of happy place for me as it lulled me into sleep most nights. But after you pointed out the flies and the unsettling notes towards the end, I might not be able to sleep to this again. I think you really hit the nail on the head with the description of the darker parts. So much so that I almost had to turn on a night light, it gave me the creeps! Lol It's so obvious to me now that "Adrift and At Peace" is a reference to death. Or at least a death-like state. As usual, really amazing video ixi! I love the way you help me look at my favorite songs from a completely different perspective.
I always thought of Adrift and At peace to be adrift in the ocean (la mer) and at peace with impending doom. Especially with the sound of flies you pointed out, could be a nod to the lord of the flies/death. By the way, I love the mash ups you play at the end of your videos.
Nine Inch Nails was allways there for me in my mournings and teenage angst. I still am a teen and love Nine Inch Nails. I remember this album being a fundamental piece to my life that wouldn't have existed or have a place for memory without it. I just remember how beautiful this album truly is. Its barely talked about. The album reminds me of Radiohead's A Moon Shaped Pool as aesthetics both feel cold.
I just found this channel and two things 1: This is my favorite song. Not my favorite song by Trent but my favorite song in general. I have a nin soft playlist of 5 songs that i fall asleep to most nights and have been doing that for over 10 years. I have no idea how many times I've heard this song but it is a lot. 2: The way you break down these songs and the details you go into is absolutely brilliant. I'm watching all of these videos and most will probably be viewed multiple times!
That's really lovely. It's a beautiful track. Still is an amazing album; I didn't spend much time with it in the past unfortunately but I love it now. I'm happy you're getting something out of my detailed analyses! I'm sure we'll exchange comments again :)
Oh right this is a remix of "Into The Void". That makes sense. I remember being obsessed with the remix of The Frail but kind of forgot about the rest of the album. It's really good! I didn't hear the theme but I might have missed it!
Not to get too mushy but I've been struggling lately with feeling very alone, like I can't relate to other people, and to see someone as excited as--maybe more excited than--me about NIN has lifted my spirits a bit. What a wonderful channel. I'll be watching at least every NIN video you make.
I was actually just thinking about that 2 minute mark in the song and had to see if anybody on UA-cam was talking about it. I’m so happy I found your video on the subject! Still has got to be one of my favorite Nine Inch Nails albums Also I can’t believe I’ve never noticed the flies in the song lol
@1:42 I always felt the two piano lines where 'lovers finding common ground, drifting apart and pulling together. Eventually one part leaves (adrift at peace) while the other lives on in regret.'
I really enjoy this video - I've been listening to NIN since Pretty Hate Machine came out (I turned 18 in 96') - 90's music is very much my music, and plenty of grunge, metal, and alternative bands were part of my coming of age. NIN, however, pretty much tracked my progression from angry angst and depression, to depth and maturity. I really like how you talk about the depth of the music in terms of the music itself, and not as an attempt to see what Trent was thinking when he wrote it - which is how I imagine it was meant to be percieved
being a musical theory nerd and nine inch nails fan, your channel is a joygasm, loved the adrift in this together :D you definitely inspired me to take on some piano lessons
In all these reviews, I'm really drawn to your use of both the technical vocabulary and the emotional vocabulary. It's really helpful. It helps me make sense of a lot of the intangibles of what's going on - at all the levels that you cover: what's going on in the song, the context/backdrop against what's more 'accessible' or standard, and how NIN uses/avoids/mixes all those elements. Great stuff.
The whole song is like watching a beautiful reflection on a lake at dawn...then a body floating on the surface slowly appears and this is the ending sound of this song.
Awesome, that's so great! 🙌 I love modes so there will be more on them coming. Thank you for leaving a comment and I'm glad you're learning some new things! 🙂
Still haunted me many, many, many weeks when it came out. Still does. Thank you for this. I also have to say I love the way you explain theory Ixi. I follow many musician youtubers and I think, à a music neophyte, that your presentations are some of the clearest out there. Keep it up please.
I am absolutely enjoying your videos. You are amazing and of course so is Trent! If you could possibly do a deep dive into "And all that could have been" I would be so grateful! It's very underrated because it's on Still. Please and thank you.
I was about to get ready for work but this popped up on my notifications so I had to put that off for a minute! very cool, this is such a beautiful and eerie song. Im super stoked for the analysis of downward spiral!! Unrelated, and I dont think that it isn't really meant to be entirely cohesive like but it would be really cool if you looked at Ghosts one day. Ghosts I-IV is definitely the album*(?) I've listened to the most over the years. I used to fall asleep to it every night when it came out :p
I hope you weren't late to work haha! Yeahhh TDS fans. I'll try to do it justice. I am interested in analyzing Ghosts but I don't think it'll be soon as I'm not that familiar. Perhaps one day I'll slip in 01 Ghosts I, which I recently learned to play. Not too dissimilar from Adrift & At Peace right?
I feel you’re correct that it’s about death considering what was going on when he wrote La Mer. And this is after he’s in the ocean and it’s over. He’s gone so “adrift and at peace” but it’s also sad. What could have been? God I love this channel
What if the entire time the protagonist here is falling deeper and deeper in the ocean. Maybe that unsettling drone is doubt if he made the right choice. And the last melody are the last slivers of consciousness? I kind of feel like something's ending there, I always have even without the image of falling. I can't wait to hear your take on "And All That Could Have Been". The whole album is very dark but that song always hit me in a painful spot.
This is definitely one of the "goosebump" Trent pieces. 21:11 That "La Mer" theme has jumped out at me a lot since the "The Fragile" days. It might not be the exact same but just a similar intonation but I hear it in "Only" from With Teeth but cannot think of any other named examples off the top of my head but they are definitely out there. I'm always like "there's Trent" when I hear it in a newer piece. :D What I really wanted to get your input on when I saw the title of this video was two pieces by Trent and Atticus on two different soundtracks that I've always felt were somehow descendants of "Adrift & At Peace." Even though it's probably not perfect, I just feel like they have some of the same DNA because I always end up thinking of "Adrift" when I listen to them. The first is "Parallel Timeline With Alternate Outcome" from the soundtrack for "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo." The part I hear is in the first change about 1 minute in. When you said the word "waltz" during this video, I immediately got excited because the second descendant is from the "Mank" soundtrack and it's called "San Simeon Waltz." (I didn't realize "Adrift" was a waltz because I'm not that well versed) I'd love to know if you see any connections to these two pieces. If anything, I think they might at least give you goosebumps as well since they do to me.
I may have already mentioned this to you but I am way behind on Trent & Atticus OSTs. I've heard The Social Network and one track from Soul. I honestly think that's all. But doing a live reaction/analysis of some scores would be amazing. I love instrumentals, movie scores, and Trent Reznor, so I know I'm going to flip my shit.
Hi ixi I have only just discovered your channel and I am hooked! Love your deep dives especially with the NIN stuff. Please please please do a deep dive on Leaving Hope. Keep up the awesome work!!! 🖤
Since you also talked about rythmic displacement, I think you might enjoy the song Videotape by Radiohead, it's maybe the best example I've heard about this. The piano is syncopated during the whole song and the real down beat is barely hinted but once you know where it is it totally transforms the way you hear that tune. There are really good videos about that song around UA-cam.
Oh my yes, you already know me well! I have a video of me somewhere playing the drums to Videotape with the correct downbeat! That's the sneakiest case of rhythmic displacement. The only way you'd know is because of their upbeat live version! It's cool to be able to hear it both ways now...like 2 twin sister songs.
@@iximusic I just found your channel and binged everything, love the deep analysis you go into. I was a music minor, so I actually follow what you're saying. I was also thinking it would be awesome to hear you dive into some radiohead songs! I feel like they use major chords a lot like Trent does to get more of an eerie/off/broken feel -- way more than most people realize.
Discovering your videos very late, but at a perfect time - currently making an effort to learn how to play the piano after over 30 years of hobby music-making. Main takeaway here is that it's acceptable to compose using only the white keys :D. Love NIИ, really enjoying your analyses.
Thank you! It's been really rewarding to learn how to play some of his piano pieces. Too bad I don't have a couple of extra hands though. Some people are so skilled they can play stuff like this with just two.
I can't wait to 1.) see what you unpack in your TDS analysis and 2.) hear where your love for NIN started in your live Q&A. Watching you ninvestigate these songs is very rewarding in the same way as watching a tv show where you're constantly piecing together clues.
it’s like you only pick my fav songs! i’ve been writing a lot and your channel has been a huge inspiration! thanks for your detailed work, its very appreciated! ✌️🎹🎶🎶🎶
Wow. It's like, I just love to listen to this video for itself, even more than for the analysis. You a wonderful artist! * Edit * in 3 weeks you went from 900 subscribers, to 10 X, currently 9.78k! Bravo
If you haven't already be sure to check out The Fragile: Deviations 1 and Ghosts I-IV. I think you will hear some of that sound. Obviously in the former but also in some of the latter.
Modes were confusing until I transposed them to have the same root note. Like, A minor and C major have the same notes, so what's the difference? Try C minor vs C major and you see minor has a flat 3, flat 6, and flat 7 compared with major. Aha!
I heartily agree with this method to reference them against the relative major or minor, which we're all much more familiar with. It's the way I think about them too! Good on you 🙂
I like the home analogy. What's the difference between an Ohioan family and a Japanese family vacationing in Texas? they are both in the exact same place but the experience they are having is totally different because of where their home is
I dunno if anyone mentioned, but all of the music from 'still' was composed for Mark Romanek's film "One Hour Photo." (Romanek directed the closer video amongst other things.). For some reason Trent's stuff was rejected and so it found its way out into the world as 'still."
@@iximusic Also, while I don't think Trent has come out and said this specifically, he/Atticus wrote 2+ hours of music for the Watchmen TV show when they first got the gig, but before they saw the footage. The Showrunner, Damen Lindeloff, rejected these initial compositions as the footage came in, and Trent/Atticus went ahead and composed what we know know as the 3 Watchmen albums. Trent does not just throw music away and we should note that right around the same time as the Watchmen Soundtracks were released, NIN released Ghosts 5 and 6. I believe those 2 albums are the original Watchmen compositions.
One of my favourite NIN tracks. Oddly I do find the ending quite peaceful. The rest of the song feels like being adrift on otherwise calm waters, and to me is beautiful and summery, with perhaps some melancholic undercurrent (regret? loss?), whilst the way the music is pared back at the end feels like someone's consciousness then drifting off into sleep (or, indeed, death). All that said I'm speaking from a position of music illiteracy, and have to feel my way in the dark just using the emotional resonance, so your insights are fascinating! I'll definitely have to give this track another listen.
You’ll appreciate this personal anecdote ... I made a massive mix that was eight CDs long called “15 May 2005” (and given a retroactive second title of “the green perspective”). The date was my Commencement from the College of William and Mary and it was in part a commemoration of my time there. It was also supposed to be both an encapsulation of my musical ... anything and an expression of me personally. Basically, a ten hour crash course into who I am and what I am all about. Structurally, it’s divided into four parts of two CDs each. Each part corresponds to a mood and even a season. Freshman is lackadaisical and summer, sophomore is romantic (also “bright melancholia”) and autumn, junior is dark introspective and winter, senior is bright introspective and spring. I also have a rule where an artist either appears once overall or once per part (total four times). “Adrift and at Peace” was chosen as the sole NIN appearance (and I had plenty to choose) and it begins the last disc (senior 2). I chose it instinctively because it does have this peaceful vibe like having come through a storm. But I do like that the outro is subtly off-kilter. That pitch drift is akin to bad tape playback where the motor is constant in speed and thus creating a wow and flutter effect. Even so, closer to peace is better than none at all. At any rate, keep up the great work ... and you’ll see more of me for sure 😁
That's fascinating. I never knew there was a connection between Adrift & At Peace and the other songs! I always just thought of it in its context as the rejected musical score for One Hour Photo. Never considered it as an actual extension of The Fragile.
Huh, I never noticed that pan before. I gave Adrift... a listen after your video, and yeah, I'd have to say the title means death. Though I'm also thinking that when it was recorded, it could well have been an alternate for Ripe. Given all the material that was recorded back then, I suspect there's a megamix that could be made, with Adrift... as the penultimate track of The Fragile.
Ah, also all that philosophical talk about being adrift and at peace reminded me of a song by The The. The one called "soul mining". It starts with You're floating down a tunnel in a little wooden box You're cold and you're lonely and enveloped in fog You've been pried open and left here to die You should have trusted your instincts 'cause they don't tell lies It kinda corresponds with death and the Sea in Trent's interpretation. The first Line in the chorus of "soul mining" pretty much depicts your attempts to find the tonal center or whatever. "Something always goes wrong when things are going right" Hahaha
This album is my favorite material that Trent has ever done, and this track is one of the prettiest ones on it. I know you're focusing on TDS (a warm place and eraser together :) ), but please (double underlined) get around to doing Leaving Hope. My Dad died in 2003 from cancer, and that track was the only music I listened to for about a month after. Something drew me to it, and was what got me through. There's a strange blend of helplessness and strength in the song and for obvious reasons, I have a tough time listening to it now on occasion.
+1 on Leaving Hope. That track hit me so hard that even though I'm not a very good pianist, I grabbed a keyboard and figured out all the parts. I'd love to hear what you have to say about them!
An absolutely beautiful song that I just had to play around with and add some drums. Layered polyrhythmic drums was the result: Enjoy! 🤩 ua-cam.com/users/shortsKRAwM0CaGdk?feature=share … and here’s is an extended mix: ua-cam.com/video/3ZpJ7JYWPAg/v-deo.html
@@iximusic it does! I came here because of the Everything breakdown, and went through a lot of videos since. I still don't understand anything, but you explain things in a way that sounds.. logical. I love Trent's work so it's really nice to see some in-depth analysis of songs I've heard countless times.
I would love an analysis of the other songs from Still. They are some of my favorites from NIN and they're not much talked about. And All That Could Have Been, The Persistence of Loss and Leaving Hope
I get a very haunting sense from this song, La Mer is about contemplation, Adrift & At Peace is after the fact. Like someone playing piano in memory of a lost loved one taken by the sea.
I had the intuitive sense that Adrift and at Peace is about death, but couldn't say why. Was it because of the uneasiness of the piano, the rising hum, or the slow, fragile melody? It's crazy that you can use theory to point to all of these things!
Hi Ixi - if I didn't know better, I'd say that this was a song that might have no basis in musical theory whatsoever. It is so simple. But - knowing the background of the way Trent writes music, and all the details you have previously highlighted - I'm sure none of it is 'by accident'....
For real! No accident I love all those composers. Debussy is my guy and Satie is just so...weird. In a good way. Did you know he has a song called desiccated embryos?
Ixi, I love your analysis, and the movement from lydian to dorian, but lets be honest here, you and I both know (as practiced theory nerds) that Trent just didn't wanna play the black keys that day...It's possible that even the Sharp C# on the prepared piano could have been a white key....
Your comment about confusing intros masking the downbeat reminds me of a video clip of Dave Grohl talking about drumming for With Teeth (the song): ua-cam.com/video/L2VEk2fGHdg/v-deo.html Apparently the downbeat is on the cymbal crash, yet Dave (and myself!) always thought that was the upbeat. I still struggle to count in right even knowing where it's supposed to be
Once again: ONE person DIDN'T like this? (scratching head...) Interesting, this track is one of Trent's occasional-at the time-"ambient" pieces; however, yes there is a slight disconcerting feel to it. I would be interested in seeing you analyze the Ghosts cd-one of my favorites. not sure if Trent ever mentioned Brian Eno, but I am sure he had some influence on him.
What I think it uh ..."feels like" as a whole...to me , to me... sounds like a fantastic opiate , in my case heroin high. I'm 13 years clean...however...this is what shooting up a speed ball, half half heroin/coke. Sounds like/ as well as the mental...long story short, im thankfully still here. I should not be.
Because of you, I have rediscovered Nine Inch Nails in a much more adult perspective
Ah. Love that. 🙏
@@iximusic Same here. I haven't listened to NIN for years upon years, associating Trent's music in my adult years with teenage/early twenties depression and generally bad times in my life, and not remembering about the nuances of the music that go beyond those feelings. You've helped me to rediscover NIN from a different perspective, that of beauty, curiosity, and complexity. Thank you.
I think Trent was at the peak of his isolation and addiction at this point and i think i remember reading in an interview leading up to the Fragile release him saying that it was much more bleak than Downward Spiral. I always found that interesting because to me Fragile is a much "prettier" album. Almost as if Downward was the struggle and Fragile was the acceptance. Who knows. I do know that he had a lot of trouble arranging the tracks to make everything flow to the point where the CD, Cassette and Vinyl versions all have different intros and outros and over the years people have made ultimate mixes blending all the missing tracks together. It's interesting. I remember between me and a couple friends we had it on all formats. I had the cassette and cd. My friend was smart and bought it on vinyl which goes for hundreds of dollars that first pressing. But we would spend hours listening to the differences.
I just watched an interview where he was saying that it was hard to arrange the tracks.That if they were in the wrong order it sounded like a mess. I had no idea there were alternate endings and beginnings to that extent. What a great group of friends :)
@@iximusic yeah The Fragile came out at a very pivotal time for me. Highschool. Just got a car and the anticipation was intense. The Day the World Went Away single came out the summer before the album dropped, no internet mind you, and it was such a good teaser for the album. My best friend and I listened to the single for hours as the sun went down on a boombox in his driveway. I've never anticipated an album as much before or since. Kid A by Radiohead was close as well as Syro by Aphex Twin(waited 13 years) but nothing else has ever been as satisfying because The Fragile was worth the 5 years waiting for it. Though we had a few things to hold us over like The Perfect Drug single, Further Down the Spiral, Lost Highway soundtrack and even Antichrist Superstar to a degree.
Nine Inch Nails was one of the first artists I became absolutely obsessed with and that passion never really went away, so I'm in LOVE with your channel.
♥️
"It doesn't feel settled"
I'm not really sure how to describe this, but for me it does, and the only way I can say it is to wax poetic - You have to find the beauty in the gray. It's the calm comfort of ambivalence.
The instrumentals on STILL are some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard. I really think Trent had a huge influence from Erik Satie.
I agree. Especially the waltzes.
The lesson on modes at the beginning was mindblowing
Awesome, glad to hear that! I want to make more videos about modes at some point.
@@iximusic like you, i write songs too, and thinking about modes while i play or write makes the work and the final piece much more interesting and emotional. I have you to thank!
Still is so underrated. Thank you for giving it some of the attention it deserves
Before watching this video, I never considered this song to be dark or sad AT ALL.
Adrift and At Peace was a song I relied on to (quite literally) be adrift and at peace. It was a kind of happy place for me as it lulled me into sleep most nights.
But after you pointed out the flies and the unsettling notes towards the end, I might not be able to sleep to this again.
I think you really hit the nail on the head with the description of the darker parts. So much so that I almost had to turn on a night light, it gave me the creeps! Lol
It's so obvious to me now that "Adrift and At Peace" is a reference to death. Or at least a death-like state.
As usual, really amazing video ixi! I love the way you help me look at my favorite songs from a completely different perspective.
Oh nooo, sorry I ruined your night time music :(
ixi music No you didn't ruin it at all! It's absolutely better now! Lol
I always thought of Adrift and At peace to be adrift in the ocean (la mer) and at peace with impending doom. Especially with the sound of flies you pointed out, could be a nod to the lord of the flies/death. By the way, I love the mash ups you play at the end of your videos.
Please do Leaving Hope. I know no other instrumental that so perfectly conveys deep sadness and despair.
Yes.
Yes I agree that needs to be done!!
Nine Inch Nails was allways there for me in my mournings and teenage angst. I still am a teen and love Nine Inch Nails. I remember this album being a fundamental piece to my life that wouldn't have existed or have a place for memory without it. I just remember how beautiful this album truly is. Its barely talked about. The album reminds me of Radiohead's A Moon Shaped Pool as aesthetics both feel cold.
I just found this channel and two things
1: This is my favorite song. Not my favorite song by Trent but my favorite song in general. I have a nin soft playlist of 5 songs that i fall asleep to most nights and have been doing that for over 10 years. I have no idea how many times I've heard this song but it is a lot.
2: The way you break down these songs and the details you go into is absolutely brilliant. I'm watching all of these videos and most will probably be viewed multiple times!
That's really lovely. It's a beautiful track. Still is an amazing album; I didn't spend much time with it in the past unfortunately but I love it now. I'm happy you're getting something out of my detailed analyses! I'm sure we'll exchange comments again :)
I LOVE your channel. You can find the repetition of that theme on Slipping Away from Things Falling Apart.
Oh right this is a remix of "Into The Void". That makes sense. I remember being obsessed with the remix of The Frail but kind of forgot about the rest of the album. It's really good! I didn't hear the theme but I might have missed it!
i love that song! good find!
gosh things falling apart is so good
Excellent. Looking forward to more analysis of songs from Still if you're planning on it. Leaving Hope is probably my favorite piece of music ever.
I am! I plan to analyze all the tracks on Still eventually :) Leaving Hope is beautiful.
Not to get too mushy but I've been struggling lately with feeling very alone, like I can't relate to other people, and to see someone as excited as--maybe more excited than--me about NIN has lifted my spirits a bit. What a wonderful channel. I'll be watching at least every NIN video you make.
I've got a big hug for you
I was actually just thinking about that 2 minute mark in the song and had to see if anybody on UA-cam was talking about it. I’m so happy I found your video on the subject!
Still has got to be one of my favorite Nine Inch Nails albums
Also I can’t believe I’ve never noticed the flies in the song lol
@1:42 I always felt the two piano lines where 'lovers finding common ground, drifting apart and pulling together. Eventually one part leaves (adrift at peace) while the other lives on in regret.'
I love all of your NIN breakdowns!! You are amazing
What a great camera trick to show both parts at the start. Love it!
I really enjoy this video - I've been listening to NIN since Pretty Hate Machine came out (I turned 18 in 96') - 90's music is very much my music, and plenty of grunge, metal, and alternative bands were part of my coming of age. NIN, however, pretty much tracked my progression from angry angst and depression, to depth and maturity. I really like how you talk about the depth of the music in terms of the music itself, and not as an attempt to see what Trent was thinking when he wrote it - which is how I imagine it was meant to be percieved
being a musical theory nerd and nine inch nails fan, your channel is a joygasm, loved the adrift in this together :D you definitely inspired me to take on some piano lessons
That's great! New musical pathways are going to open up! 🎹
In all these reviews, I'm really drawn to your use of both the technical vocabulary and the emotional vocabulary. It's really helpful. It helps me make sense of a lot of the intangibles of what's going on - at all the levels that you cover: what's going on in the song, the context/backdrop against what's more 'accessible' or standard, and how NIN uses/avoids/mixes all those elements. Great stuff.
That's amazing feedback. Thank you ♥️
The whole song is like watching a beautiful reflection on a lake at dawn...then a body floating on the surface slowly appears and this is the ending sound of this song.
Oh wow. Yes.
After watching a thousand analysis videos referencing the modes, I finally know what they are.
Awesome, that's so great! 🙌 I love modes so there will be more on them coming. Thank you for leaving a comment and I'm glad you're learning some new things! 🙂
Still haunted me many, many, many weeks when it came out. Still does. Thank you for this.
I also have to say I love the way you explain theory Ixi. I follow many musician youtubers and I think, à a music neophyte, that your presentations are some of the clearest out there. Keep it up please.
🙏
Wow each one of your analysis is so interesting, I'm learning some concepts and then discovering stuff on NIN songs that I haven't reached before
Nice to see my favourite NINstrumental (*badum tish*) getting some love. Onwards to 1k subs!
NINstrumental - love it so much!
I hope I did your fav justice. Thanks for cheering for me :)
I am absolutely enjoying your videos. You are amazing and of course so is Trent! If you could possibly do a deep dive into "And all that could have been" I would be so grateful! It's very underrated because it's on Still. Please and thank you.
Yes, I will after I finish up TDS! I'd say that is the most requested video!
I can't wait! I love all you are doing.
I was about to get ready for work but this popped up on my notifications so I had to put that off for a minute! very cool, this is such a beautiful and eerie song. Im super stoked for the analysis of downward spiral!! Unrelated, and I dont think that it isn't really meant to be entirely cohesive like but it would be really cool if you looked at Ghosts one day. Ghosts I-IV is definitely the album*(?) I've listened to the most over the years. I used to fall asleep to it every night when it came out :p
I hope you weren't late to work haha!
Yeahhh TDS fans. I'll try to do it justice.
I am interested in analyzing Ghosts but I don't think it'll be soon as I'm not that familiar. Perhaps one day I'll slip in 01 Ghosts I, which I recently learned to play. Not too dissimilar from Adrift & At Peace right?
I feel you’re correct that it’s about death considering what was going on when he wrote La Mer. And this is after he’s in the ocean and it’s over. He’s gone so “adrift and at peace” but it’s also sad. What could have been? God I love this channel
It fits the story. That's what I imagined to, enveloped by the ocean.
What if the entire time the protagonist here is falling deeper and deeper in the ocean. Maybe that unsettling drone is doubt if he made the right choice. And the last melody are the last slivers of consciousness? I kind of feel like something's ending there, I always have even without the image of falling.
I can't wait to hear your take on "And All That Could Have Been". The whole album is very dark but that song always hit me in a painful spot.
This is definitely one of the "goosebump" Trent pieces.
21:11 That "La Mer" theme has jumped out at me a lot since the "The Fragile" days. It might not be the exact same but just a similar intonation but I hear it in "Only" from With Teeth but cannot think of any other named examples off the top of my head but they are definitely out there. I'm always like "there's Trent" when I hear it in a newer piece. :D
What I really wanted to get your input on when I saw the title of this video was two pieces by Trent and Atticus on two different soundtracks that I've always felt were somehow descendants of "Adrift & At Peace." Even though it's probably not perfect, I just feel like they have some of the same DNA because I always end up thinking of "Adrift" when I listen to them.
The first is "Parallel Timeline With Alternate Outcome" from the soundtrack for "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo." The part I hear is in the first change about 1 minute in.
When you said the word "waltz" during this video, I immediately got excited because the second descendant is from the "Mank" soundtrack and it's called "San Simeon Waltz." (I didn't realize "Adrift" was a waltz because I'm not that well versed)
I'd love to know if you see any connections to these two pieces. If anything, I think they might at least give you goosebumps as well since they do to me.
I may have already mentioned this to you but I am way behind on Trent & Atticus OSTs. I've heard The Social Network and one track from Soul. I honestly think that's all. But doing a live reaction/analysis of some scores would be amazing. I love instrumentals, movie scores, and Trent Reznor, so I know I'm going to flip my shit.
@@iximusic One hunnerd percent.
You just taught me so much Ixi!!!so much of my own stuff...is what I now now is mixolydian.
Hi ixi I have only just discovered your channel and I am hooked! Love your deep dives especially with the NIN stuff.
Please please please do a deep dive on Leaving Hope.
Keep up the awesome work!!! 🖤
Since you also talked about rythmic displacement, I think you might enjoy the song Videotape by Radiohead, it's maybe the best example I've heard about this. The piano is syncopated during the whole song and the real down beat is barely hinted but once you know where it is it totally transforms the way you hear that tune. There are really good videos about that song around UA-cam.
Oh my yes, you already know me well! I have a video of me somewhere playing the drums to Videotape with the correct downbeat! That's the sneakiest case of rhythmic displacement. The only way you'd know is because of their upbeat live version! It's cool to be able to hear it both ways now...like 2 twin sister songs.
@@iximusic I just found your channel and binged everything, love the deep analysis you go into. I was a music minor, so I actually follow what you're saying. I was also thinking it would be awesome to hear you dive into some radiohead songs! I feel like they use major chords a lot like Trent does to get more of an eerie/off/broken feel -- way more than most people realize.
Awesome! 🎼 Do you play an instrument? Yes Radiohead is definitely happening at some point. Such an incredible group of geniuses.
@@iximusic Yep, guitar primarily, but I know enough to be a bit dangerous on bass, drums, piano. Looking forward to hearing you cover Radiohead!
Great as always. Really looking forward to all the TDS greatness coming!
Yeahhhh!
That was the best explanation of modes I have ever heard. I actually understand them now!
You're awesome Ixi ❤️ thank you for your dedication and hard work!!
All of this, for you....
Thank you for tuning in Mário!
Discovering your videos very late, but at a perfect time - currently making an effort to learn how to play the piano after over 30 years of hobby music-making. Main takeaway here is that it's acceptable to compose using only the white keys :D. Love NIИ, really enjoying your analyses.
This is one of my favorite pieces of music ever.
This whole part starting at 15:43 is beautiful! Looking forward to the 1000 sub mark!
Thank you! Improvising to Trent's piano works is always a joy.
Loved the intro you played it brilliantly!
Thank you! It's been really rewarding to learn how to play some of his piano pieces. Too bad I don't have a couple of extra hands though. Some people are so skilled they can play stuff like this with just two.
Dreamy again! And yay if I could sub more than once I’d! Congratulations to this fast growing!
Thank you, friend :)
I actually love your content. Great job analysing Trent and his works, and not just his biggest hits! Kudos to you =) Subbed!
Really Great, Ixi. Thanks for the channel- your talent and insight is just what NIN deserves.
Please do Leaving Hope? :)
I can't wait to 1.) see what you unpack in your TDS analysis and 2.) hear where your love for NIN started in your live Q&A. Watching you ninvestigate these songs is very rewarding in the same way as watching a tv show where you're constantly piecing together clues.
NINvestigate!! Love it.
I figure that question will be asked, because I'm always curious about that with y'all too!
it’s like you only pick my fav songs! i’ve been writing a lot and your channel has been a huge inspiration! thanks for your detailed work, its very appreciated! ✌️🎹🎶🎶🎶
oh yay so happy to hear that! I'll check out your channel soon :)
Wow. It's like, I just love to listen to this video for itself, even more than for the analysis. You a wonderful artist!
* Edit * in 3 weeks you went from 900 subscribers, to 10 X, currently 9.78k! Bravo
Ah thank you, so kind! I'm happy you got something out of the video and the analysis.
and - it's absolutely crazy! My life changed overnight. 🙏
Thank you. This is fantastic! Subscribed.
Inspiring work ixi!
🙏
If you haven't already be sure to check out The Fragile: Deviations 1 and Ghosts I-IV. I think you will hear some of that sound. Obviously in the former but also in some of the latter.
Modes were confusing until I transposed them to have the same root note. Like, A minor and C major have the same notes, so what's the difference? Try C minor vs C major and you see minor has a flat 3, flat 6, and flat 7 compared with major. Aha!
I heartily agree with this method to reference them against the relative major or minor, which we're all much more familiar with. It's the way I think about them too! Good on you 🙂
I like the home analogy. What's the difference between an Ohioan family and a Japanese family vacationing in Texas? they are both in the exact same place but the experience they are having is totally different because of where their home is
Beautiful analysis. Thank you.
It's an honor.
I dunno if anyone mentioned, but all of the music from 'still' was composed for Mark Romanek's film "One Hour Photo." (Romanek directed the closer video amongst other things.). For some reason Trent's stuff was rejected and so it found its way out into the world as 'still."
I didn't know that! Thanks.
@@iximusic Also, while I don't think Trent has come out and said this specifically, he/Atticus wrote 2+ hours of music for the Watchmen TV show when they first got the gig, but before they saw the footage. The Showrunner, Damen Lindeloff, rejected these initial compositions as the footage came in, and Trent/Atticus went ahead and composed what we know know as the 3 Watchmen albums. Trent does not just throw music away and we should note that right around the same time as the Watchmen Soundtracks were released, NIN released Ghosts 5 and 6. I believe those 2 albums are the original Watchmen compositions.
I was going to comment how the song title could imply being at peace with death, but you beat me to it :)
Best piano lesson ever. Mic drop.
Learning how to play the piano through Nine Inch Nails sounds like a dream :)
I will never hear this song the same way ❤️😎
your avatar is great, myfortyfives.
@@tim_brooks yours is better...
One of my favourite NIN tracks. Oddly I do find the ending quite peaceful. The rest of the song feels like being adrift on otherwise calm waters, and to me is beautiful and summery, with perhaps some melancholic undercurrent (regret? loss?), whilst the way the music is pared back at the end feels like someone's consciousness then drifting off into sleep (or, indeed, death).
All that said I'm speaking from a position of music illiteracy, and have to feel my way in the dark just using the emotional resonance, so your insights are fascinating!
I'll definitely have to give this track another listen.
It's always so cool to see how differently this music affects us all. 🖤
You’ll appreciate this personal anecdote ...
I made a massive mix that was eight CDs long called “15 May 2005” (and given a retroactive second title of “the green perspective”). The date was my Commencement from the College of William and Mary and it was in part a commemoration of my time there. It was also supposed to be both an encapsulation of my musical ... anything and an expression of me personally. Basically, a ten hour crash course into who I am and what I am all about.
Structurally, it’s divided into four parts of two CDs each. Each part corresponds to a mood and even a season. Freshman is lackadaisical and summer, sophomore is romantic (also “bright melancholia”) and autumn, junior is dark introspective and winter, senior is bright introspective and spring. I also have a rule where an artist either appears once overall or once per part (total four times).
“Adrift and at Peace” was chosen as the sole NIN appearance (and I had plenty to choose) and it begins the last disc (senior 2). I chose it instinctively because it does have this peaceful vibe like having come through a storm. But I do like that the outro is subtly off-kilter. That pitch drift is akin to bad tape playback where the motor is constant in speed and thus creating a wow and flutter effect. Even so, closer to peace is better than none at all.
At any rate, keep up the great work ... and you’ll see more of me for sure 😁
Wowww! That's so cool.
I don't have a well trained ear, but if that theme pops up anywhere else it's probably on Ghosts 1-4. I did recognize the Closer somewhere in there.
when she’s talking about the #4: ooh I like that
when she’s shows the normal 4: ooh I like that
That's fascinating. I never knew there was a connection between Adrift & At Peace and the other songs! I always just thought of it in its context as the rejected musical score for One Hour Photo. Never considered it as an actual extension of The Fragile.
I didn't either! Someone told me in a comment, and so I looked it up.
Huh, I never noticed that pan before. I gave Adrift... a listen after your video, and yeah, I'd have to say the title means death. Though I'm also thinking that when it was recorded, it could well have been an alternate for Ripe. Given all the material that was recorded back then, I suspect there's a megamix that could be made, with Adrift... as the penultimate track of The Fragile.
Ah interesting thought. I guess sometimes you don't know where a song will end up when you start it.
Ah, also all that philosophical talk about being adrift and at peace reminded me of a song by The The. The one called "soul mining". It starts with
You're floating down a tunnel in a little wooden box
You're cold and you're lonely and enveloped in fog
You've been pried open and left here to die
You should have trusted your instincts 'cause they don't tell lies
It kinda corresponds with death and the Sea in Trent's interpretation. The first Line in the chorus of "soul mining" pretty much depicts your attempts to find the tonal center or whatever.
"Something always goes wrong when things are going right"
Hahaha
Oh my gosh, you're analyzing me analyzing music! This is so meta! Haha
This album is my favorite material that Trent has ever done, and this track is one of the prettiest ones on it. I know you're focusing on TDS (a warm place and eraser together :) ), but please (double underlined) get around to doing Leaving Hope. My Dad died in 2003 from cancer, and that track was the only music I listened to for about a month after. Something drew me to it, and was what got me through. There's a strange blend of helplessness and strength in the song and for obvious reasons, I have a tough time listening to it now on occasion.
I will 🖤
+1 on Leaving Hope. That track hit me so hard that even though I'm not a very good pianist, I grabbed a keyboard and figured out all the parts. I'd love to hear what you have to say about them!
Could you do And All That Could Have Been? pls
Yes!
Oh i would love to watch videos for And All That Could Have Been and Ruiner.
8:40 Also "Maria" L. Bernstein (the devil's interval LOL!)
goosebumps 😱
I still have mine!
Please do an analysis, review or anything you want of A warmth Place, Leaving hope or Hands cover bruise form the Social Network OST.
You rock queen 🏆
It's coming! I'm analyzing TDS in order ✨
@@iximusic And I really appreciate it.
An absolutely beautiful song that I just had to play around with and add some drums. Layered polyrhythmic drums was the result: Enjoy! 🤩
ua-cam.com/users/shortsKRAwM0CaGdk?feature=share
… and here’s is an extended mix:
ua-cam.com/video/3ZpJ7JYWPAg/v-deo.html
This song was chosen for my mothers funeral when she died back in may of 2021
I've you've never heard 'maybe just once' you should find it and record your live reaction to it
It's a hidden gem of a song
Interesting take that adrift and at peace means possibly death. Very fitting considering the la mer connection
The tritone uses him hahahaha
I'm amazed by how much I don't understand anything about music. Enjoy your videos very much, though
Thank you for explaining things
Good thing you don't have to understand music to be moved by it. I hope some of it is resonating for you!
@@iximusic it does! I came here because of the Everything breakdown, and went through a lot of videos since. I still don't understand anything, but you explain things in a way that sounds.. logical. I love Trent's work so it's really nice to see some in-depth analysis of songs I've heard countless times.
I would love an analysis of the other songs from Still. They are some of my favorites from NIN and they're not much talked about.
And All That Could Have Been, The Persistence of Loss and Leaving Hope
I get a very haunting sense from this song, La Mer is about contemplation, Adrift & At Peace is after the fact. Like someone playing piano in memory of a lost loved one taken by the sea.
I had the intuitive sense that Adrift and at Peace is about death, but couldn't say why. Was it because of the uneasiness of the piano, the rising hum, or the slow, fragile melody? It's crazy that you can use theory to point to all of these things!
It's everything! (Not the song)
Hi Ixi - if I didn't know better, I'd say that this was a song that might have no basis in musical theory whatsoever. It is so simple.
But - knowing the background of the way Trent writes music, and all the details you have previously highlighted - I'm sure none of it is 'by accident'....
He seems to be quite an intentional musician!
🖤🖤🖤
It sounds like Erik Satie. Very much so. I can imagine it being like the lost Gnossienne 69 or something
Always thought that the piano stuff from The Fragile era was massively inspired by Satie and Debussy.
Me too, and it's not our imagination! He mentions Satie and Bartok as favourites: www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/12/17/music-machine
For real! No accident I love all those composers. Debussy is my guy and Satie is just so...weird. In a good way. Did you know he has a song called desiccated embryos?
@@iximusic sounds like a good title for a Cannibal Corpse song
Ixi, I love your analysis, and the movement from lydian to dorian, but lets be honest here, you and I both know (as practiced theory nerds) that Trent just didn't wanna play the black keys that day...It's possible that even the Sharp C# on the prepared piano could have been a white key....
😂 yeah probably!
I’m addicted and want to watch all your videos. But I also need to slow down because music theory never completely stuck and I want to learn. Fml.
Pffftt.... 1000 Subscribers? Try 11k+ now, you wonderful human.
early laugh from the tonal center (?) reveal, tree. mendous.
What I want to know is how you came to have the same name as a 1980s German pop singer.
Reincarnation?
I didn't know about this artist. My best friend in middle school made it up from my birth name, which also has an "x"!
Your comment about confusing intros masking the downbeat reminds me of a video clip of Dave Grohl talking about drumming for With Teeth (the song): ua-cam.com/video/L2VEk2fGHdg/v-deo.html
Apparently the downbeat is on the cymbal crash, yet Dave (and myself!) always thought that was the upbeat. I still struggle to count in right even knowing where it's supposed to be
The tritone uses him! 😂
That's right!!
It’s been a while since I watched it, but this video gives me vibes from the Pixar movie Soul. Is that theme hidden in any of the songs from that?
Once again: ONE person DIDN'T like this? (scratching head...)
Interesting, this track is one of Trent's occasional-at the time-"ambient" pieces; however, yes there is a slight disconcerting feel to it. I would be interested in seeing you analyze the Ghosts cd-one of my favorites. not sure if Trent ever mentioned Brian Eno, but I am sure he had some influence on him.
TIL I love F Lydian !!
aka Flydian 😂
What I think it uh ..."feels like" as a whole...to me , to me... sounds like a fantastic opiate , in my case heroin high. I'm 13 years clean...however...this is what shooting up a speed ball, half half heroin/coke. Sounds like/ as well as the mental...long story short, im thankfully still here. I should not be.
I'm thankful you're still here too. 💙
@@iximusic thank you! I want to learn the language now. ...somehow, I'm still here????
Way too fast. Not the song to rush through
I'm not sure what you mean. I'm playing it at the same tempo as the original, maybe even a few clicks slower. But thank you for watching!