We're In This Together

Inexplicably. Trent Reznor released his Halo 15 (and the fans are definitely c0unting) maxi-single everywhere but in the states. That move confused fans. most of whom had to import We're in This Together Now. and didn't know which was the definitive one. Part one is the only version to offer material unavailable anywhere else on CD. featuring The Fragile outtakes '10 Miles High' and "The New Flesh.' Unfortunately. those two tracks sound directionless and repetitive. The former song. with its too-short lyric. thrashes about. but like a suffocating fish. The latter is a less grating. but unexceptional ambient piece that could've come off the soundtrack for the PC game Quake. Luckily. 'We're in This Together' is a strong song. It's nothing new for Reznor. who mined this adrenaline-infused. white noise territory to even better effect on 'Wish.' But it's a different turn for him emotionally. the nihilism has given way to a light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel epiphany. Who could have imagined a few years ago that he'd be singing (or screaming). 'none of them will stop us now we will make it through somehow'? Ultimately. anyone interested would be far better advised to pick up The Fragile than this meager disc.