The Fragile
by Nine Inch Nails
Released: September 21, 1999
Industrial rock, art rock, alternative rock
Why This Album Matters
This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Experimental Album.
The Album
"The Fragile" is the third studio album by Nine Inch Nails, released on September 21, 1999, as a double album through Nothing Records and Interscope Records. At nearly 1 hour and 45 minutes, it is one of the band's longest studio releases. Departing from the distorted sound of their previous album, The Downward Spiral, The Fragile incorporates elements of ambient and electronic music across a variety of genres.
Inside the Recording
Produced by frontman Trent Reznor and longtime collaborator Alan Moulder, the album was recorded between 1997 and 1999 in New Orleans.
Interesting Facts
It continues exploring themes of depression and drug…
It continues exploring themes of depression and drug abuse while featuring more instrumental sections than earlier works, with some tracks being entirely instrumental.
The album was supported by three singles: "The…
The album was supported by three singles: "The Day the World Went Away," "We're in This Together," and "Into the Void," as well as the promotional single "Starfuckers, Inc." The accompanying Fragility Tour featured two legs and included several related recordings, such as the remix album Things Falling Apart (2000) and the live album And All That Could Have Been (2002), along with an alternate version titled The Fragile: Deviations 1 (2016).
Essential Tracks
The Day The World Went Away
The album was supported by three singles: "The Day the World Went Away," "We're in This Together," and "Into the Void," as well as the promotional single "Starfuckers, Inc." The accompanying Fragility Tour featured two legs and included several related recordings, such as the remix album Things Falling Apart (2000) and the live album And All That Could Have Been (2002), along with an alternate version titled The Fragile: Deviations 1 (2016).
We're In This Together
The album was supported by three singles: "The Day the World Went Away," "We're in This Together," and "Into the Void," as well as the promotional single "Starfuckers, Inc." The accompanying Fragility Tour featured two legs and included several related recordings, such as the remix album Things Falling Apart (2000) and the live album And All That Could Have Been (2002), along with an alternate version titled The Fragile: Deviations 1 (2016).
The Fragile
"The Fragile" is the third studio album by Nine Inch Nails, released on September 21, 1999, as a double album through Nothing Records and Interscope Records.
Into The Void
The album was supported by three singles: "The Day the World Went Away," "We're in This Together," and "Into the Void," as well as the promotional single "Starfuckers, Inc." The accompanying Fragility Tour featured two legs and included several related recordings, such as the remix album Things Falling Apart (2000) and the live album And All That Could Have Been (2002), along with an alternate version titled The Fragile: Deviations 1 (2016).
Explore the Album
Nine Inch Nails - The Fragile
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Reception
It debuted at number one on the U.S. charts, marking the band's first chart-topping album, and was certified double platinum by the RIAA. Critics initially praised the album's ambition and composition, though some noted its length and questioned its lyrical depth.
Legacy
Over time, however, it has come to be regarded as one of the band's best works.
The Complete Album Story
"The Fragile" is the third studio album by Nine Inch Nails, released on September 21, 1999, as a double album through Nothing Records and Interscope Records. Produced by frontman Trent Reznor and longtime collaborator Alan Moulder, the album was recorded between 1997 and 1999 in New Orleans.
Departing from the distorted sound of their previous album, The Downward Spiral, The Fragile incorporates elements of ambient and electronic music across a variety of genres. It continues exploring themes of depression and drug abuse while featuring more instrumental sections than earlier works, with some tracks being entirely instrumental. At nearly 1 hour and 45 minutes, it is one of the band's longest studio releases.
The album was supported by three singles: "The Day the World Went Away," "We're in This Together," and "Into the Void," as well as the promotional single "Starfuckers, Inc." The accompanying Fragility Tour featured two legs and included several related recordings, such as the remix album Things Falling Apart (2000) and the live album And All That Could Have Been (2002), along with an alternate version titled The Fragile: Deviations 1 (2016).
Critics initially praised the album's ambition and composition, though some noted its length and questioned its lyrical depth. Over time, however, it has come to be regarded as one of the band's best works. It debuted at number one on the U.S. charts, marking the band's first chart-topping album, and was certified double platinum by the RIAA.
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