So yeah, the very minute I heard that a major band who I respected was officially ditching the major record labels and putting out an entire album solely on their own, unlike Radiohead who still rely on the major labels for B&M physical CD sales, I bought it, sight unseen. The new entirely instrumental album from Nine Inch Nails consists of thirty-six tracks in four nine track albums, ergo Ghosts I-IV. It can be had as a digital download for $5 in either losses or super-high quality 320kbps LAME encoded MP3s, including a 40 page PDF of album art and both standard and widescreen wallpapers of each.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that an entirely instrumental album from NIN threw me off slightly at first, and having listened to all of the tracks, I find it to be an exceptional album, but it’s clearly not going to be for everyone, especially if you’re expecting some high energy rock to trash to. This album is more about the nuance of instrumental composition and clearly a pet project of Trent Reznor, and while still having some clear rock influences the tracks are high experimental and branch out into many different styles of music, but most if not all of the tracks feel very tight, well thought out and will be enjoyable to most people.

But don’t take my word for it. The first 9 tracks are free to everyone who wants them, then if you decide you like it, and I’m pretty sure you will, the entire album is only $5. And honestly, even if you don’t like it, support people when they take risks for positive change and actually trust the fans to support them. Thank’s for “getting it” Trent.

Buy it, enjoy it.