We Love You Anyhow

Nine Inch Nails “Not So Pretty Now”

When Trent Reznor bitches people out in his lyrics, do you ever feel — if just for a moment! — like he’s actually angry at you? Though it’s pretty clear in this song that he’s calling out a vain, formerly beloved star too deluded to notice they are past their prime, there’s something in his voice and the sheer force of the track that forces the listener to take the brunt of the attack, even if the invective is actually intended for Courtney Love, Marilyn Manson, or hell, Reznor himself. I suppose we’re all just collateral damage in the Godzilla vs. Mothra-esque battle of rock star egos.

Get it for free, along with another new NIN song and material from Jane’s Addiction and Street Sweeper from the NIN/JA 2009 site.

Patrick Wolf “Vulture”

The wonderful thing about Patrick Wolf right now is that it’s very hard to tell where his campiness ends and his seriousness begins. “Vulture” is an excellent goth synthpop number, and exactly the sort of song that benefits greatly from a performer fearless enough to fully commit to a cartoonishly dark and depraved tone knowing full well that he’s probably going to come out seeming at least a little bit silly. It certainly helps that Wolf’s composition and arrangement is perfectly executed, from its general vibe of pervy menace on down to its exceptionally strong chorus and ruthlessly effective “80’s dance party” beat.

Buy it in June from Bandstocks.