LIVE AND ALL THA(EX)

Nine Inch Nails: Trent Reznor, Danny Lohner, Jerome Dillon, Charlie Clouser, Robin Finck. Engineers: Jon Lemon, Leo Herrera, Paul Forgues. Recorded between April & June 2000. Personnel: Keith Hillebrandt, Charles Clouser (programming). Photographers: David Carson; Rob Sheridan. Unknown Contributor Roles: Robin Finck; Danny Lohner. Dispensing with typical live album cliches (exhausting interludes of roaring crowds, lengthy between-song banter), AND ALL THAT COULD HAVE BEEN is packed tightly, with a set that is distinctly NIN at their best. The 16 tracks mark Trent Reznor and company's first-ever live album release, opening with the stomping "Terrible Lie." A powerful combination of electronic and acoustic percussion adds dimension and raw energy that isn't usually explored in the one-man-band approach to recording NIN albums, especially on "Sin." Reznor's vocal delivery is equal parts darkly poetic and at times like spitting razors, conveying all the pain, anger and displacement that NIN fans identify with on such a personal level. "March Of The Pigs" leads into a clever segue of "Piggy," enhanced with a funky shuffle courtesy of drummer Jerome Dillon. Dynamic musical and technological extremes coupled with Reznor's mantra-like choruses make AND ALL THAT COULD HAVE BEEN a must have for NIN disciples, and an excellent introduction for the curious fan who might otherwise see NIN as only a studio entity.