Reznor’s electronic daydreams

As the latest in what is sure to be a long line of bands and artists self-releasing their music online in the coming years, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails is soberly realistic about where the record industry is heading. Adopting Radiohead’s “screw you” attitude toward the major labels might be less comfortable for some lesser musical forces, but Reznor seems right at home not playing by the rules. He describes his latest collection of work, a sprawling four-part instrumental collection titled Ghosts, as “music for daydreams,” but don’t call it Muzak.

Spread over 36 tracks. titled only by numbers, and nearly two hours of running time, the album presents a calculated mix of recognizable Nine Inch Nails styles (the creeping piano ballad, the industrial synth stomper, the soft/loud/contemplative/explosive longer piece, etc.) and more experimental noodlings, all of which are engaging and none of which are throwaways. Standout tracks such as “3 Ghosts I” and “28 Ghosts IV” are just begging to be transformed into vocalized album tracks on Reznor’s next traditional LP. Curious interludes such as “15 Ghosts II” and “25 Ghosts III” might feel like filler on a first listen, but reveal sonic details (kudos to Reznor for offering the download at 320 kbps) that warrant them being an integral part of the whole.

Ghosts is available in multiple formats from NIN’s official Web site. There’s the free nine-track download of “Ghosts I” only, the $5 full download of all four parts along with a fully-produced PDF companion booklet (my recommended pick), a $10 two-CD set by mail (to arrive early next month) and a $75 deluxe package with the whole album on a Blu-Ray disc with other fancy extras. For longtime NIN fans or just those who get a rise out of subverting the major labels and procuring some great music at the same time, Ghosts is a carefully composed and dreamy must-listen.