Nine Inch Nails' Reznor gives a freebie to fans -- -- chicagotribune.com

Nine Inch Nails' Reznor gives a freebie to fans -- -- chicagotribune.com: "'The Slip' represents the fifth set of new material Reznor has released this year. In March, Reznor released a four-volume set of instrumental music, 'Ghosts I-IV,' through his Web site, at five different prices, including a free download of some of the tracks. After a week, he reported more than 700,000 orders and downloads, and revenue of $1.6 million. The 'Ghosts' announcement, also made without advance warning through his Web site, produced an avalanche of visitors and briefly crashed nin.com. Orders for 'The Slip' appeared to go more smoothly. After submitting my e-mail address, I received instructions and was able to download the disc within minutes. Picking up where the reflective 'Ghosts' left off, 'The Slip' starts off with an atmospheric instrumental before veering into hard-rock territory. A string of tracks driven by live drumming and shrapnel-tossing guitar allow Reznor and his band to blow off some steam. The assault eventually gives way to contemplative piano atmospherics (the somber, nearly whispered 'Lights in the Sky') and eerie instrumentals ('Corona Radiata,' 'The Four of Us are Dying'). The album has a raw, unpolished feel that suits the circumstances of its sudden release."