What To Do With These Ghosts?
Having listened to "Ghosts I-IV" several times, I'm now left with the daunting task of trying to gauge my overall reaction, which I suppose could be summed up with two words: underwhelmed, perplexed. I'm not quite ready to write Trent Reznor off as an artist as of yet, but, on the horizon, I sense that day coming. It's not there wasn't the potential for something good to have been created here, because, obviously, there was. It's just that Mr. Reznor gives the impression that he simply couldn't be bothered. What disturbs me most about this collection of starts and stops is that, during some of it, I found myself being eerily reminded of New Age music--you know, the stuff they have you listen to when you get a massage. There's no doubt in my mind that a few of these "Ghosts", had they been fleshed out, would have made great songs. And I give Trent credit for experimenting with his piano playing, even when it doesn't work particularly well. "Ghosts I-IV" may end up haunting me--but for all the wrong reasons. I'm hoping that it's a mere stepping stone to real acheivement.

How Do Tape Loops Constitute a Quadruple Album?
Anyone who is into producing music knows how little effort this took. Since The Downward Spiral, NIN has gotten worse & worse. "Gee, I'll muck around in the studio for 5 minutes and call it a song!" A few of the tracks with actual drum programming are decent, but not many.

Does he sleep?
I don't know how he does it. The creativity, the sonic greatness, the depth. Even without the voice, it still rocks. This is the music I wish I could create meself!! Buy it.

minimalist mediocrity
Remember when an NIN meant you were getting an album with standards. Remember when Trent Reznor use to create great music. Well those days are long gone. I guess Trent things that being artist is forcing his fans to listen to bits and pieces of songs that were left on the editing floor. My god! I can't believe that the same man that created The Fragile, The Downward Spiral, and Pretty Hate Machine would a)consider this album up to his standards b)release such an abomination c)think that people would want to hear this mind disturbing "music" d)charge people to listen to it. Yes I know that the cost of this album isn't much, but as an artist to charge even a penny for this means that Trent Reznor has become something that I never thought he would do: sellout

Ever Changing
If your idea of NIN is "Pretty Hate Machine" or "The Downward Spiral", you may have a point. But if you've traveled with NIN since the beginning and have enjoyed the passion of Trent Reznor during his 20 year span as NIN, then at the heart of it all (wink wink) you will not be disappointed with "Ghosts". Artists change, as we all do. Reznor's albums change, from one to the next, and I have always been surprised by the next creation he puts forth. Teen anger, derision, rebellion, and whatever else used to be his call sign, but he has matured (as has his music), hence a bit more thought, melancholy and introspection.

Enter this album. It's not made for fanatic "Closer" fans, but rather for those who have made the journey all along, and have grown in their own lives, but still looking for that difference in music, that which stands out. "Ghosts" once again allows a glimpse into the mind of Trent Reznor, lets you see the demons that plague him, and from this, conclude that EVERYONE GROWS UP, whether you want to believe it or not. A quiet introspective album such as this just proves that he is not about the money, but the passion of his art.