String Quartet Tribute To Nine Inch Nails CD

This string-quartet tribute to Nine Inch Nails joins the Vitamin label's existing electronic and industrial-focused tributes to the music of Trent Reznor. His output warrants three genre-specific compilations. While NIN is thought of primarily as an industrial exercise, Reznor's songwriting and arranging talents often lead to forays into symphonic and classical textures, as well as electronica and ambient music. Here, nine Reznor compositions get the string-quartet treatment, and most of the chosen material lends itself very well to the format. While NIN's brutal guitar and percussion soundscapes cannot be replicated, the musicians do a fine job of transferring the brittle twists of melody that define Reznor's work. "Heresy"'s blasts of violin offset its cello's descending melody to create a disconcerting, moody piece, while "Into the Void" and "Piggy" are nightmares of skittering violin and chaotic rhythm. Best is "Closer," which reworks the X-rated proto-disco of the original into a keening, dramatic instrumental that's perfect for the imaginary, visionary, Kafka-influenced chase scene perpetually running inside every young film student's head. ~ Johnny Loftus

Tributee: Nine Inch Nails.

Various Artists: Eric Gorfain (violin); Leah Katz (viola); Richard Dodd, Daphne Chen.

Personnel: Daphne Chen (violin); Richard Dodd (cello); Frank Scarpelli (recorder).

Recording information: Los Angeles, CA; Quietstreet Productions.