Customer Reviews
Cool single
This single is really good, but the remixes kind of make you sick of head of a hole, it has some remixes of Terrible Lie, and Down in it too.
Opal and Others
But it's important to recognize that these two discs are different in packaging, and differ by the first two tracks out of the three tracks on each disc. this is a review of two different discs actually, because on the rare occasion that the second one is available on amazon, it's listed under the first one.
1. UK Import. This is a pretty descent single from NIN during the Pretty Hate Machine era. The domestic version runs a bit too long with very repetative material, and serves as a Pretty Hate Machine remix album more than a single. This is the single as Reznor envisioned it before TVT pushed him around. It's pretty good. the first track is listed as the 'slate' remix, but that is a misprint, it is actually the 'clay' remix, which is the version of the song seen in the video. Not very different from the album version except the bridge is at the begining. if you like the song, this is the version you've probably heard a lot of. The next track is the 'copper' mix. This is a very lively stucato reworking. It's one of the best mixes, and is actually based very closely on the ACTUAL 'slate' remix that does not appear here. the last track is the 'opal' remix. The most different mix from the original and often viewed as the best. It's partially concocted from new vocals and samples from a few Prince songs. It's good stuff.
-tracks 1 and 2 available on domestic release
-This release comes in a slimline jewelcase, the NIN symbol is yellow on pink.
-disc is yellow text on pinkish purple disc.
2. Australia Import. This is probably the best version of the single as far as music goes. it's also somewhat of a rarity now. it's one of three singles NIN has released in Australia in a card sleeve packaging. Head Like A Hole, March Of The Pigs, and Into The Void. MOTP is the rarest, ITV is the most sought after (and unbelieveably expensive) and Head Like A Hole is the least rare, but still sometimes difficult to catch. It is worth it, especially for a collector. The first track is correctly the 'slate' remix, which is the best remix of that song that exists on the domestic version. the next track is a remix of Terrible Lie, the 'sympathetic' mix, also the best remix of that song on the domestic release, and the third track is once again the 'opal' mix that is not on the domestic version. This is the best version of the single because it has the best mix of music, the best remixes of HLAH, split up with the best remix of Terrible Lie, making it more interesting than either of the other versions of this single. The only drawback is if you happen to dislike the easily damaged card sleeve packaging. I happen to think it's unique and cool (the colors are slightly more vibrant than the UK version)but some people prefer protected jewelcase packaging.
-tracks 1 and 2 available on domestic release
-this release comes in a cardboard sleeve, the NIN symbol is yellow on purple
-disc is yellow text on blue disc.
Shorter but comparable to the US release.
There is one new track not on the American single, the opal mix, with the other two available on the US release. The UK variant of "Head Like a Hole", unlike its American counterpart, is rather brief-- three mixes, two of "Head Like a Hole", one of "Terrible Lie", all mixed by Trent Reznor and Flood.
The two "Head Like a Hole" mixes are fairly interesting-- the slate mix (available on the US single) is pretty straight from the original, largely changed in that the guitar on the chorus is opened up a bit and a percussive bridge (and its also probably the strongest of the US mixes). The opal mix is pretty interesting, with the song restructured (the bridge is less frequent) and with some new vocals rather than using the album vocal tracks and a completely different backing track-- it sounds entirely programmed. Its been suggested that this is a demo, that wouldn't surprise me. The included "Terrible Lie" mix is nearly identical to the album mix, excepting a brief reprise at the end of some earlier lyrics and is largely superfluous.
Overall, this is not a great value, given the depth of the US release, but the opal mix is intriguing and probably worth the investment for fans.
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