Trilogy songs: Ranked best to worst

[ManBurning]

Curious to see how people would rank the trilogy songs as a whole.

Here's my ranking:

The Idea of You
The Background World
Ahead of Ourselves
Burning Bright (Field on Fire)
Shit Mirror
This isn't the place
She's Gone Away
Branches/Bones
Less Than
Dear World,
Over and Out
Not anymore
I'm not from this world
God Break down the door
The Lovers
Play the Goddamn Part

[bobbie solo]

The Idea of You
The Background World
Burning Bright (Field on Fire)
Branches/Bones
Ahead of Ourselves
Shit Mirror
Not Anymore
She's Gone Away
Dear World,
Less Than
This Is Not the Place
Over & Out
I'm Not From This World
God Break Down The Door
The Lovers
Play the Goddamn Part

I'm not too far off from you. This Is Not The Place doesn't work nearly as well for me on the EP as it does live. Dear World is a cooler song than Less Than for me. I'm into heavy music mostly so Not Anymore has to be higher.

[mauro995]

Burning Bright (Field on Fire)
The Background World
Ahead of Ourselves
Shit Mirror
Not Anymore
God Break Down the Door
She's Gone Away
Over and Out
The Idea of You
Less Than
Branches/Bones
Dear World,
The Lovers
This Isn't the Place
I'm Not From This World
Play the Goddamned Part

[BRoswell]

I like them all, so I wouldn't necessarily call this a best-to-worst list, but...

This Isn't The Place
Burning Bright (Field On Fire)
Less Than
The Background World
The Lovers
She's Gone Away
Shit Mirror
Branches/Bones
God Break Down The Door
Dear World,
I'm Not From This World
Over And Out
Ahead Of Ourselves
Not Anymore
The Idea Of You
Play The Goddamned Part

[buckaroo]

Wow, not much love for Dear World,.

The Background World
Burning Bright (field on fire)
Dear World,
I'm Not From This World - Over and Out (has to be together)
Branches / Bones
Ahead of Ourselves
This Isn't The Place
Less Than
Shit Mirror
The Lovers
She's Gone Away
God Break Down The Door
Not Anymore
Play The Goddamned Part
The Idea of You

[paul_guyet]

I need to work on the full list, but my least favorite from all three is "I'm Not From This World". Hands down.

[ManBurning]

The Idea of You
The Background World
Burning Bright (Field on Fire)
Branches/Bones
Ahead of Ourselves
Shit Mirror
Not Anymore
She's Gone Away
Dear World,
Less Than
This Is Not the Place
Over & Out
I'm Not From This World
God Break Down The Door
The Lovers
Play the Goddamn Part

I'm not too far off from you. This Is Not The Place doesn't work nearly as well for me on the EP as it does live. Dear World is a cooler song than Less Than for me. I'm into heavy music mostly so Not Anymore has to be higher.

Damn, I thought I was reading my own list there for a second, haha.

[sonic_discord]

I reserve the right to change my mind about this list, but for now this is my ranking:

The Idea of You
Ahead of Ourselves
This Isn’t the Place
Burning Bright (Field on Fire)
Over and Out
The Background World
Shit Mirror
Branches/Bones
The Lovers
Not Anymore
She’s Gone Away
Less Than
God Break Down the Door
Dear World,
Play the Goddamned Part
I’m Not From This World

*Disclaimer: This trilogy represents (to me, at least) some of the most exciting NIN material since the '90s, so I love ALL of the songs, including the ones I ranked at the bottom of the list.

[Esperanzan]

Dear World,
Less Than
Over and Out
Shit Mirror
Burning Bright (Field on Fire)
God Break Down the Door
The Background World
The Lovers
This Isn’t the Place
Branches/Bones
Ahead of Ourselves
The Idea of You
Play the Goddamned Part
She’s Gone Away
Not Anymore
I’m Not From This World

Very hard to rank the stretch from The Background World -> Ahead of Ourselves.

[Erneuert]

Here is how I rank all the songs from most enjoyable (can listen to endlessly), to tracks I really couldn’t care if I ever hear again. The ones in bold I definitely couldn’t do without. The other four... meh.

1) I’m Not From This World
2) Over And Out
3) Burning Bright (Field On Fire)
4) Shit Mirror
5) Ahead Of Ourselves
6) The Idea Of You
7) Not Anymore
8) The Background World
9) This Isn’t The Place
10) She’s Gone Away
11) Branches/Bones
12) The Lovers
13) Play The Goddamned Part
14) God Break Down The Door
15) Less Than
16) Dear World,

[elevenism]

Branches/Bones
The Idea of You
Ahead of Ourselves
God Break Down the Door
Not Anymore
Shit Mirror
This isn't the place
Less Than
Over and Out
The Lovers
The Background World
She's Gone Away
Dear World
I'm not From This World
Play the Goddamned Part
Burning Bright

Also, WOW! Look at us, actually typing out whole song titles!

Edit: I wanna see rankings from @kleiner (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=4417) , @RocketScience (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=486) , heavenly_bearded , @thelastdisciple (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=199) , @Halo Infinity (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=244) . You are hereby nominated to participate.

[heavenly_bearded]

I wanna see rankings from @kleiner (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=4417) , @RocketScience (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=486) , @heavenly_bearded (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=341) , @thelastdisciple (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=199) , @Halo Infinity (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=244) . You are hereby nominated to participate.

Fine.

Shit Mirror (because Robin fucking kills it live)
Over and Out (because xylophone Robin)
Ahead of Ourselves (should be the theme song for all the immature idiots in NIN FB groups)
The Idea of You
God Break down the door
Less Than
The Background World
Burning Bright (Field on Fire)
This isn't the place
Branches/Bones
Dear World,
Not Anymore
I'm Not From This World
Play the Goddamn Part
The Lovers (because holding a tape recorder to the mic is very underwhelming)
She's Gone Away (I hate the repetitive bassline and the severe depression this song puts in my head, maybe that will change with time but I don't think so)

Of course my opinion means nothing and will probably change over time.

[katara]

I need to work on the full list, but my least favorite from all three is "I'm Not From This World". Hands down.
This is my #1.

[Erneuert]

This is my #1.

Same here. I’d describe it as The Predator, or a similar menacing-looking alien creature, giving you a guided tour of the areas of its space ship.

[paul_guyet]

This is my #1.VERY interesting... I don't hate it, it's just my least favorite of the sixteen EP tracks, although if INFTW was stacked up against all the other NIN instrumentals, it wouldn't rank very high. I just feel like not enough happens for a nearly seven minute track. I really dig 'Play The Goddamned Part' though.

[theimage13]

I feel personally attacked by anyone who put Burning Bright dead last, or put The Lovers in the bottom few. Will contribute my own ranking when I'm feeling more decisive, but the cliff notes version is that the entire Bad Witch LP will be tied for last place. Try as I might, I still just can't get into it. NTAE hit me pretty much right away, Add Violence took a couple spins before it finally clicked. Even after seeing most of it live, though, Bad Witch still just hasn't resonated with me.

[elevenism]

I feel personally attacked by anyone who put Burning Bright dead last

Isn't that... Isn't that JUST me?

I'm not personally attacking you. It's just the one I like the least.

[Microwave Jellyfish]

The Background World
Dear World,
Over and Out
Less Than
Burning Bright
The Lovers
Shit Mirror
God Break Down The Door
Branches/Bones
This Isn't The Place
Ahead of Ourselves
The Idea of You
She's Gone Away
Not Anymore
Play The Goddamned Part
I'm Not From This World


Same here. I’d describe it as The Predator, or a similar menacing-looking alien creature, giving you a guided tour of the areas of its space ship.

I firmly believe there's a massive, like beyond Dig It-levels of Alien Covenant influence on it. This doesn't make it a bad track, but an example of that "yeah, been there, heard that" reaction that's otherwise pretty rare upon first encounters with new NIN.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qh_o19X5D2g

[katara]

I firmly believe there's a massive, like beyond Dig It-levels of Alien Covenant influence on it.
Beyond the ideas of a background pulse and ambient washes throughout the track, there's little resemblance.

[Erneuert]

Beyond the ideas of a background pulse and ambient washes throughout the track, there's little resemblance.

We ought to start an INFTW fan club.

[thelastdisciple]

The Idea of You
Shit Mirror
Ahead of Ourselves
Branches/Bones
Not Anymore
God Break Down the Door
Less Than
The Background World
She's Gone Away
Dear World
Burning Bright
Play the Goddamned Part
I'm Not From This World
Over and Out
This Isn't the Place
The Lovers


Something like that i think.

[ChipRock]

Relax guys here is the correct list:

01 The Background World
02 She's Gone Away
03 Less Than
04 This Isn't The Place
05 Over And Out
06 Burning Bright (Field On Fire)
07 The Lovers
08 Shit Mirror
09 Branches/Bones
10 Ahead Of Ourselves
11 The Idea Of You
12 God Break Down The Door
13 Not Anymore
14 Dear World,
15 Play The Goddamned Part
16 I'm Not From This World

[Max]

One thing that I am noticing is that I'm Not From This World is generally not faring well in this contest. But that makes sense. It's part of an album. As a single it doesn't do well. Is Pinion at the top of anyone's list? Is Black Noise?

It's like asking people what their favorite chapter of a book is. In some ways it's a weird question. It's not about a track as much as it is about the whole thing together and how it all fits.

I'm not saying to stop this, by all means have fun, but just pointing out why some tracks might not be doing well when considered in this way.

[BRoswell]

It may not rank super high on my list, but I really do like I'm Not From This World a lot. It's so tense and uneasy, like a sonic journey through a war zone. Obviously if you're into the more traditional rock tracks it's not going to appeal to you as much (as evident by some of the lists that have been posted), but for someone like me who really loves those long musical trips, that track is solid.

[katara]

Is Black Noise... at the top of anyone's list?
Yes.

Here's my contribution:

I'm Not From This World
The Background World
Dear World,
Branches/Bones
Ahead Of Ourselves
She's Gone Away
Shit Mirror
God Break Down The Door
Not Anymore
Less Than
Burning Bright (Field On Fire)
This Isn't The Place
Play The Goddamned Part
The Idea Of You
The Lovers
Over And Out

I'd like to add that all of these tracks are really fucking good. It was tough putting some of these near the bottom.

[Erneuert]

Yes.

Here's my contribution:

I'm Not From This World
The Background World
Dear World,
Branches/Bones
Ahead Of Ourselves
She's Gone Away
Shit Mirror
God Break Down The Door
Not Anymore
Less Than
Burning Bright (Field On Fire)
This Isn't The Place
Play The Goddamned Part
The Idea Of You
The Lovers
Over And Out

I'd like to add that all of these tracks are really fucking good. It was tough putting some of these near the bottom.

INFTW first and Over And Out last?! To me they just need to be side by side.

[katara]

INFTW first and Over And Out last?! To me they just need to be side by side.
This is a ranking of favourite to least favourite, not a playlist.

[Dryalex12]

This Isn't The Place
The Lovers
Dear World,
Burning Bright
Not Anymore
Ahead of Ourselves
She's Gone Away
Shit Mirror
I'm Not From This World
Branches/Bones
Over and Out
The Idea of You
God Break Down The Door
Less Than
Play The Goddamned Part
The Background World

[Dryalex12]

One thing that I am noticing is that I'm Not From This World is generally not faring well in this contest. But that makes sense. It's part of an album. As a single it doesn't do well. Is Pinion at the top of anyone's list? Is Black Noise?


Well, I do think Black Noise is better than most of the songs off HM, so yes, I am one of those people.

[Erneuert]

This is a ranking of favourite to least favourite, not a playlist.

I know. I mean to me, O&O is an extension/addition to INFTW. I thought you would like it as much as I do since we’re both fans of the former song - not put O&O dead last on the list. I guess the saxophones don’t do it for you? haha

[lordfalconer]

I'll have to have a serious think in order to rank them all but I can confidently say I would have The Idea of You dead last, it is probably the worst thing Trent has done since Running.

[Max]

I have to say The Idea of You was pretty great to me. I love the lyrics, the raged-out-punk-spasms of the chorus, love the ending... and I think the song overall is really key to the themes on that EP. But hey, we like what we like.

[Swykk]

01 The Idea of You (we cant be friends if you hate this)
02 The Background World
03 Ahead of Ourselves
04 Burning Bright (Field on Fire)
05 Less Than
06 Over And Out
07 Branches/Bones
08 Not Anymore
09 This Isn’t The Place
10 She’s Gone Away
11 Shit Mirror
12 The Lovers
13 Dear World,
14 God Break Down The Door
15 I’m Not From This World
16 Play The Goddamn Part

[sonic_discord]

I'll have to have a serious think in order to rank them all but I can confidently say I would have The Idea of You dead last, it is probably the worst thing Trent has done since Running.

What. Someone move this comment to the "Controversial Nine Inch Nails Opinions" thread post haste!

I'm kidding, but only a little. How can you say that?? I mean I understand why people don't love Running (it's not one of my favorites either), but I find every element of TIOY to be fantastic, classic NIN. I'm curious to know what your favorite would be now.

[katara]

I know. I mean to me, O&O is a extension/addition to INFTW. I thought you would like it as much as I do since we’re both fans of the former song - not put O&O dead last on the list. I guess the saxophones don’t do it for you? haha


I'd like to add that all of these tracks are really fucking good. It was tough putting some of these near the bottom.

This is a very solid collection of songs. None of them are bad. Something had to be last due to the nature of the topic.

[Halo Infinity]

@elevenism (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=2475) - Perhaps this could probably help me rank them in order altogether. I actually thought of ranking the EPs/album first, and then their songs and then try to see how they hold up after that. As of now, I ranked it from Add Violence to Bad Witch and Not The Actual Events.

1 -Add Violence
The Background World
Less Than
Not Anymore
The Lovers
This Isn't The Place

2 - Bad Witch
Shit Mirror
Over And Out
Play The Goddamned Part
I'm Not From This World
Ahead Of Ourselves
God Break Down The Door

3 - Not The Actual Events
Burning Bright (Field On Fire)
She's Gone Away
Branches / Bones
Dear World,
The Idea Of You

----------------

1. Burning Bright (Field On Fire)
2. Shit Mirror
3. The Background World
4. Less Than
5. She's Gone Away
6. Not Anymore
7. The Lovers
8. This Isn't The Place
9. Over And Out
10. Play The Goddamned Part
11. I'm Not From This World
12. Ahead Of Ourselves
13. Branches / Bones
14. Dear World,
15. God Break Down The Door
16. The Idea Of You

[bobbie solo]

I'll have to have a serious think in order to rank them all but I can confidently say I would have The Idea of You dead last, it is probably the worst thing Trent has done since Running.

https://media.giphy.com/media/l4Ki2obCyAQS5WhFe/giphy.gif

[Erneuert]

I have to say The Idea of You was pretty great to me. I love the lyrics, the raged-out-punk-spasms of the chorus, love the ending... and I think the song overall is really key to the themes on that EP. But hey, we like what we like.

This hurt my brain to read.

[implanted_microchip]

Edit: I wanna see rankings from @kleiner (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=4417) , @RocketScience (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=486) , @heavenly_bearded (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=341) , @thelastdisciple (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=199) , @Halo Infinity (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=244) . You are hereby nominated to participate.

Burning Bright (Field On Fire)
The Background World
This Isn't the Place
God Break Down the Door
The Lovers
She's Gone Away
Over and Out
Dear World,
Shit Mirror
Branches/Bones
The Idea of You
I'm Not From This World
Ahead of Ourselves
Not Anymore
Less Than
Play the Goddamned Part

All these songs are great. I could move a lot of these around. Less Than is only so low because I overplayed it to death when it first came out. I don't really rank the releases against each other and am happy we got 3 of the best sets of songs they've ever put out within 2 years of each other. I think as a whole it's the best collection of work NIN's made since The Fragile and all the songs from it held their own next to fan favorites and deep cuts in setlists last year, which says a lot. Being lucky enough to watch God Break Down the Door evolve from its debut live to what it became for Cold and Black and Infinite made it a big favorite of mine. She's Gone Away on Twin Peaks was a serious "moment" in my life at the time, I could easily bump that up into the top 5, and Dear World, amazes me too. Not the Actual Events was like a shot of adrenaline to the chest for me and made me turn back into the rabid superfan I was growing up for this band. I'd seriously rank NTAE as a whole above every single album since The Fragile. Add Violence has some of the most emotionally poignant stuff Trent's ever made as far as I'm concerned. Bad Witch is this psycho freakout breakdown of an album and I love it. I think it says a lot that looking over my list I don't think there's a clear favorite release, it's all mixed in pretty evenly. Branches/Bones is probably my second-favorite live opener ever. Trent and Atticus really put together something special on each release and it rivals some of the best of the band's entire career.

I actually like Hesitation Marks less now because comparing it to these EPs/albums, it's nowhere near as compelling. This feels like Trent re-energized and on fucking fire. I think Bowie dying shook something awake inside of him. I don't think Trent's explored himself so deeply in his lyrics since at least With Teeth as he does on these. I thought The Lovers was great from the first time I heard it and the Song Exploder autopsy of it only made me appreciate it more and then live I now associate it with being overheated as fuck and exhausted at the rail and getting this brief moment of rest and catharsis and air and it makes me think of the "hot swollen skin" line and it's just perfect, I think that song is really special. It's funny, I can think of some sort of mental association all these songs give me and it's really vivid and strong. For as much as Trent likes to explore the same themes I think these songs have some of his best imagery in a long, long while. All these songs are special to me in their own way and I've loved that they released them across a period of time rather than all at once because they've all grown on me at different points in my life and represent something different because of that. I didn't get to experience what it was like being a fan in the 90s and this feels like another "golden period" and I am so happy I got to be here for it.

[elevenism]

Hot damn, @kleiner (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=4417) . You even provided commentary.

Also, "I didn't get to experience what it was like being a fan in the 90s and this feels like another "golden period" and I am so happy I got to be here for it. "

I had a feeling you felt that way, and that's why I wanted to hear your ranking.

Your deep fascination with these albums reminds me of how I felt about The Fragile when I was 19.

[elevenism]

Almost everyone has Burning Bright near the top.
I wish it did for me what it does for you guys. I feel like I'm missing something. :(

I like the intensity of the chorus, and I LOVE the ending of it, especially because, with my temporal lobe issues, I can honestly relate (about not knowing when I'm dreaming sometimes.)

The muddy sound of the verses, along with the simple, repeated guitar riff, are what kills it for me.

I WILL say that I DIDN'T like it at first, but, with repeated listens, I've grown to like it alright. Perhaps it will continue to reveal itself to me.

[BRoswell]

The muddy sound of the verses, along with the simple, repeated guitar riff, are what kills it for me.

That's actually what I love about it. It sounds so sludgy and nasty.

[Max]

Almost everyone has Burning Bright near the top.
I wish it did for me what it does for you guys. I feel like I'm missing something. :(

I like the intensity of the chorus, and I LOVE the ending of it, especially because, with my temporal lobe issues, I can honestly relate (about not knowing when I'm dreaming sometimes.)

The muddy sound of the verses, along with the simple, repeated guitar riff, are what kills it for me.

I WILL say that I DIDN'T like it at first, but, with repeated listens, I've grown to like it alright. Perhaps it will continue to reveal itself to me.

Do you get more from the music or the lyrics?

For me, the music was interesting as it felt kind of new for NIN, that sludge sound people have been describing, but what really makes it for me is the lyrics. It’s the climax for NTAE, thematically. It’s this profound proclamation, that seems to be deeply personal, about how he is going back to who he used to be. To burn him down? Or to burn down who he thought he had become? Whatever the case he feels like he has become powerful, who he was destined to be. That it feels like he could destroy the world. There’s a lot to mine there.

If it’s music that does it for you and not lyrics, it’s quite a departure from the usual which I just always appreciate anyway. I like the tangents and risky explorations.

I don’t know. Maybe that helps?

I do think that more listens can help over time with most NIN.

Wish someone had figured out the Burning Bright video though. Never could tell what was going on there.

[elevenism]

Do you get more from the music or the lyrics?

For me, the music was interesting as it felt kind of new for NIN, that sludge sound people have been describing, but what really makes it for me is the lyrics. It’s the climax for NTAE, thematically. It’s this profound proclamation, that seems to be deeply personal, about how he is going back to who he used to be. To burn him down? Or to burn down who he thought he had become? Whatever the case he feels like he has become powerful, who he was destined to be. That it feels like he could destroy the world. There’s a lot to mine there.


It's really mostly the music.

And the lyrics: I think he's talking about destroying HIMSELF. Of course, this is all subjective. I think it's like, someone breaking out of a dream/simulation and realizing, "yeah, my life IS actually all fucked up and I'm going to self destruct! Fuck it! None of the good things were real! Yay!"

this hit a little to close to home for me.

But, yes, 99% of it is the music. Don't get me wrong: i, too, love the experimentation and musical exploration. But this one just didn't do it for me. You and BRoswell hit the nine inch nail on the head: it's the sludge I don't like. And I love sludge, just not with my NIN.
I don't think it's BAD, though, the song.

Also, I'm scared @theimage13 (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=809) is going to beat me up because it's my least favorite :/

[Max]

Hey we like what we like. If ETS has helped me learn anything, it’s that we all really get something different out of NIN and it never ceases to amaze me.

[theimage13]

It's really mostly the music.

And the lyrics: I think he's talking about destroying HIMSELF. Of course, this is all subjective. I think it's like, someone breaking out of a dream/simulation and realizing, "yeah, my life IS actually all fucked up and I'm going to self destruct! Fuck it! None of the good things were real! Yay!"

this hit a little to close to home for me.

But, yes, 99% of it is the music. Don't get me wrong: i, too, love the experimentation and musical exploration. But this one just didn't do it for me. You and @BRoswell (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=219) hit the nine inch nail on the head: it's the sludge I don't like. And I love sludge, just not with my NIN.
I don't think it's BAD, though, the song.

Also, I'm scared @theimage13 (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=809) is going to beat me up because it's my least favorite :/

If you had any idea how much of an accident-prone, glasses-wearing, pacifist-snowflake-hippy-sympathizing nerd I really am, you wouldn't be worried about that.

But I'm curious...if you don't like sludge with NIN, what do you think of Reptile? Because to me, Burning Bright is one of the most "industrial sludge" type songs he's put out since then.

[elevenism]

But I'm curious...if you don't like sludge with NIN, what do you think of Reptile? Because to me, Burning Bright is one of the most "industrial sludge" type songs he's put out since then.

While Reptile has sludgy elements, it has a LOT of NOT so sludgy elements that provide a nice counterpoint.

[Reaps]

Burning Bright
The Background World
Shit Mirror
Ahead of Ourselves
She's Gone Away
Less Than
This Isn't the Place
Not Anymore
Branches/Bones
Over and Out
I'm Not From This World
The Idea of You
Dear World
The Lovers
God Break Down the Door
Play the Goddamned Part

Sludge wins!

For the ultimate sludge rock/metal i look to Ministry's 'Scarecrow' (one of my all time favorites)

[lordfalconer]

What. Someone move this comment to the "Controversial Nine Inch Nails Opinions" thread post haste!

I'm kidding, but only a little. How can you say that?? I mean I understand why people don't love Running (it's not one of my favorites either), but I find every element of TIOY to be fantastic, classic NIN. I'm curious to know what your favorite would be now.

I find it uninspiring is all. I don't really think it does anything interesting personally but this is all about personal tastes and opinions. If you are after a heavier slice of NIN I guess it would do the job but I find the chorus boring personally? Its the same with Not Anymore for me - just not very interesting to me. I think Trent has done better heavier tracks that still excite me in the past. These felt a little regressive to me.

As for my ranking...hmmm...

1. Burning Bright (Field on Fire)
2. Less Than
3. Over and Out
4. This Isn't The Place
5. She's Gone Away
6. Ahead of Ourselves
7. Play the Goddamned Part
8. I'm Not From This World
9. The Background World
10. Shit Mirror
11. Branches/Bones
12. The Lovers
13. God Break Down the Door
14. Dear World
15. Not Anymore
16. The Idea of You

I think that's them all right? :confused:

Now despite the rankings there my go to of the 3 releases would be Bad Witch - it's got the best flow in my opinion and as the rankings suggest (to the horror of many on here I am sure) I actually really dig the instrumentals.
Play the Goddamned Part is like something from the Lost Highway soundtrack and I'm Not From This World is a nightmare! A fantastic nightmare.
Shit Mirror & Branches/Bones are quite interchangeable for me - they both serve the same purpose for each of their respective releases in my opinion but I think Shit Mirror just edges it over Branches/Bones.
I like She's Gone Away as it's like a hilarious goth dirge - something I never expected from Trent. I find it both simultaneously amazing and terrible.
I love a well made slice of pop and Less Than does the job nicely - probably helps I haven't overplayed it.
God Break Down the Door I feel like I should really like more with it's Blackstar leanings but I seen it live and the pre-recorded sax just made it feel a little lifeless.

I'm sure most people will vomit in their mouths upon seeing my ranking but remember - my ranking of tracks ultimately means nothing to anyone.

[katara]

God Break Down the Door I feel like I should really like more with it's Blackstar leanings but I seen it live and the pre-recorded sax just made it feel a little lifeless.
Trent played the sax live later in the tour. They most likely wanted to perform it that way from the beginning but were prevented by some complication or other.

[Kulerage]

1. Every song

Impossible to rank these :]

[Steven]

All of the songs on the trilogy are either nightmare fuel, PISSED off ragers, or avant-garde/experimental songs. And all are done very very well so it is really tough to rank them.

[Collin]

This Isn’t The Place
Burning Bright (Field on Fire)
She’s Gone Away
God Break Down The Door
Shit Mirror
Ahead of Ourselves
Branches / Bones
The Lovers

Over and Out

The Idea of You

The Background World

Less Than

Dear World,

Play The Goddamn Part

Not Anymore

I’m Not From This World

[RocketScience]

@elevenism (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=2475) Always surprised with where songs end up in making these kinds of lists lol



Burning Bright (Field on Fire)
The Lovers
Dear World,
Branches/Bones
The Idea of You
Not Anymore
Over and Out
Ahead of Ourselves
This Isn’t the Place
Shit Mirror
The Background World
God Break Down the Door
Play the Goddamned Part
I’m Not from This World
She’s Gone Away
Less Than



Seems NTAE is the favorite EP of the three.

[elevenism]

@elevenism (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=2475) Always surprised with where songs end up in making these kinds of lists lol



Burning Bright (Field on Fire)
The Lovers
Dear World,
Branches/Bones
The Idea of You
Not Anymore
Over and Out
Ahead of Ourselves
This Isn’t the Place
Shit Mirror
The Background World
God Break Down the Door
Play the Goddamned Part
I’m Not from This World
She’s Gone Away
Less Than



Seems NTAE is the favorite EP of the three.

So, you're part of the burning bright coalition, too.

Well fuck sake.

Maybe it will continue to grow on me.

But I can't imagine it overtaking Branches/Bones , the idea of you, shit mirror, or GBDTD in my book, ever.

You know what? It just occurred to me that it's fucking HARD to rank these songs. They're GOOD.
Three cheerz to Trent and co. for bringing both the funk and the noise, this late in the game. In three short years, I'll have been an NIN fan for THREE FULL DECADES, and Ghosts was the only disappointment - but that's not because it was BAD; rather, it was only REASONABLY good, imho. It was still GOOD, though. Not many other bands have this sort of track record, ESPECIALLY the part where they go hard as fuck like like they did in the old days, thirty years in.

Think about it: The Fragile - "I'll be damned, NIN's still got it.
Year Zero: "Holy Shit, NIN's STILL got it"

And now THIS.

Yes, we all have our favorites - for me, With Teeth and Hesitation Marks were a LITTLE uneven, (especially HM,) but they were still Pretty Fucking Good and featured some GREAT songs.

Sorry for rant/sorry if this counts as drift.

[valiantsteed]

1. This Isn't The Place
2. Burning Bright
3. The Idea of You
4. Not Anymore
5. The Background World
6. Branches/Bones
7. Shit Mirror
8. Less Than
9. Ahead of Ourselves
10. Over and Out
11. I'm Not From This World
12. The Lovers
13. Dear World
14. She's Gone Away
15/16 - Play the God Damned Part/God Break Down the Door

I actually really like Bad Witch as a collective piece, despite the lower rankings for some of its songs individually.

[elevenism]

I actually really like Bad Witch as a collective piece, despite the lower rankings for some of its songs individually.
As do i.
It works fucking GREAT as a cohesive piece: especially the DnB parts.

[ultimatebdp]

The Idea of You
Ahead of Ourselves
Branches/Bones
The Background World
Over and Out
Dear World
Burning Bright
Less Than
Shit Mirror
She’s Gone Away
The Lovers
God Break Down the Door
This Isn’t the Place
Not Anymore
Play the Goddamned Part
I’m Not From This World

[Alpha 60]

Branches/Bones
The Lovers
Play The Goddmed Part
Dear World
I'm Not From This World
She's Gone Away
Over And Out
Burning Bright
God Break Down The Door
Background World
This Isn't The Place
Ahead Of Ourselves
Less Than
Shit Mirror
Idea Of You
Not Anymore

[eachpassingphase]

1. Branches/Bones (This one is a top 10 of all NIN songs for me, personally)
2. The Lovers (that song exploder episode took it up several spots for me. I really love it when Trent takes the time to explain his process and mindset. I liked that "In Conversations With" recording he did a while back too.)
3. Ahead of Ourselves
4. Burning Bright
5. Less Than
6. She's Gone Away
7. This Isn't the Place
8. Dear World
9. Shit Mirror (The live version would be higher though, Robin killed it.)
10. God Break Down the Door
11. Not Anymore
12. Over and Out
13. I'm Not From This World
14. The Background World
15. The Idea of You
16. Play the Goddamn Part

[lordfalconer]

You know what? It just occurred to me that it's fucking HARD to rank these songs. They're GOOD.
Three cheerz to Trent and co. for bringing both the funk and the noise, this late in the game. In three short years, I'll have been an NIN fan for THREE FULL DECADES, and Ghosts was the only disappointment - but that's not because it was BAD; rather, it was only REASONABLY good, imho. It was still GOOD, though. Not many other bands have this sort of track record, ESPECIALLY the part where they go hard as fuck like like they did in the old days, thirty years in.

Think about it: The Fragile - "I'll be damned, NIN's still got it.
Year Zero: "Holy Shit, NIN's STILL got it"

And now THIS.

Yes, we all have our favorites - for me, With Teeth and Hesitation Marks were a LITTLE uneven, (especially HM,) but they were still Pretty Fucking Good and featured some GREAT songs.

Sorry for rant/sorry if this counts as drift.

Everything is subjective based upon the individual really. I loved everything up to and including With Teeth - then Year Zero was a real dip for me personally as well as The Slip or Ghosts bar selected tracks from each album.

Hesitation Marks brought me back big time- I thought it was much more consistent in terms of quality (bar Running, ugh!) and now we have these EPs where I am just prepared to take it as it comes. I know I'll never go back to being that NIN fanboy that thought the band was completely untouchable and that's fine. I was younger, had less diverse tastes in music and a lot of growing to do emotionally and mentally. The fascinating thing is hearing that Trent has obviously done a lot of that too. His songs won't always speak to me personally but they do a hell of a lot of the time and that's still pretty fucking good right? :)

[Tiger_Stealth]

(B Tier)
16. Play The Goddamned Part
15. This Isn't The Place

(A Tier)
14. She's Gone Away
13. I'm Not From This World
12. God Break Down The Door

(S Tier)
11. Shit Mirror
10. Dear World,
9. The Lovers
8. The Background World
7. Ahead Of Ourselves
6. Less Than
5. Not Anymore
4. The Idea Of You
3. Branches/Bones
2. Over & Out
1. Burning Bright (Field On Fire)

[ghostaustin]

S Tier:
The trilogy

[Erneuert]

The only one I’m not that keen on is Dear World,.

[Tiger_Stealth]

For real, the Trilogy is my third favorite NIN album if you put all of the releases together.

[Tiger_Stealth]

When NTAE first came out Dear World was by far my least favorite, but now I freaking love that song. There's so much going on and there's always a new noise/rhythm/detail that I pick up on. The song almost seemed boring to me on first listen, but now it's a banger that is pulsing and atmospheric.

[henryeatscereal]

This Isn't The Place
The Idea Of You
Ahead Of Ourselves
Less Than
Branches/Bones
The Lovers
She's Gone Away
Dear World
Play The Goddamned Part
Shit Mirror
God Break Down The Door
Burning Bright (Field On Fire)
The Background World
I'm Not From This World
Over And Out
Not Anymore

[Tiger_Stealth]

This Isn't The Place
The Idea Of You
Ahead Of Ourselves
Less Than
Branches/Bones
The Lovers
She's Gone Away
Dear World
Play The Goddamned Part
Shit Mirror
God Break Down The Door
Burning Bright (Field On Fire)
The Background World
I'm Not From This World
Over And Out
Not Anymore



Happy to see the Idea Of You ranked so highly. I wish Not Anymore got more attention and love from the fans, that one seems to be a love it or hate it type song.

[henryeatscereal]

Happy to see the Idea Of You ranked so highly. I wish Not Anymore got more attention and love from the fans, that one seems to be a love it or hate it type song.
Funny: my favorite of the trilogy is "Add violence", but i can't stand "Not Anymore"...

[Tiger_Stealth]

Funny: my favorite of the trilogy is "Add violence", but i can't stand "Not Anymore"...

Yeah Not Anymore is one of those divisive NIN songs where it seems like a lot of people rank it as one of their worst but the people who do have a positive opinion of it really like it. I'm just curious, what don't you like about it?

[henryeatscereal]

Yeah Not Anymore is one of those divisive NIN songs where it seems like a lot of people rank it as one of their worst but the people who do have a positive opinion of it really like it. I'm just curious, what don't you like about it?
It's the chorus, it gets too repetitive and annoying

[pcpunk]

I used to think it was a weak track, but NOT ANYMOOOOOORE!

i’ll see myself out

[Erneuert]

Top comment of this video - hadn’t thought of that before: loop repeats 52 times, Trent’s age at the time, etc. mortality and decay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDIjTaPt9co (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nDIjTaPt9co)