Search - Pig :: Sinsation

Still Excellent... After Almost 10 Years

MTJones | San Jose, CA United States | 07/14/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For most albums (read: pop), the 'age test' is simply one or two months, past which the public forgets and moves onto the next hyped thing. And why not? Most music that comes out today is fabricated pap with good marketing and nothing else behind it.



I purchased this album when it came out almost 9 years ago, purely on a whim. It was on Reznor's label; I liked the Nine Inch Nails sound and I felt this would be a good horse (swine?) to bet on.



Damn, am I happy I did.



Sinsation is probably PIG's closest to the NIN sound. It's a marriage of his symphonic tendencies, jazz influences, and snarling guitars into a cohesive unit. It's less eclectic than his past albums, more experimental than his later work, and definitely his biggest release (being on a major label) - it's a wonder it wasn't more well received.



My favorites, at first, were "Serial Thriller Killer," "Hamstring on the Highway," "Painiac (Nothing Touches Me)," "Volcano," and "Hot Hole" - the lineup of heavy, orchestral rock songs. They pack a punch that still resonates with me today - in large part because they're not simple rock fare, but rather beautifully structured compositions with spoken samples (Beetlejuice and George Bush Sr. are ones I caught).



Later, I grew to appreciate the soundscapes that Raymond Watts utilizes so well as 'cooling' periods between the aggressive songs: selections such as "Golgoth," "Shell," "Analgesia," and "Transceration." If I want to sit and relax, I think nothing of programming my CD player to play just these tracks, which offer no hint of the aggression they sandwich. The moods on this album are like night and day.



Even after 9 years, I still play this album fairly regularly, and I love it every time. The only reason I give this album 4 stars is because Praise the Lard and The Swining/Red Raw & Sore are even better albums, and therefore deserving of the full rating.



I hate to make this comparison, but I honestly think that a fan of NIN (especially The Downward Spiral and perhaps Broken) would do himself/herself well to pick up Sinsation, too. It all goes up from there."

Why did Nothing Records drop Pig?

Irene Helen Zundel | Carmichaels, PA United States | 02/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Why Trent Reznor didn't want to distribute any more of Pig's album is beyond me. The music is oustanding, and this probably Pig's most famous album. It has a balanced mix of instrumentals and orchestrated metal that's so heavy it makes Slayer look like Elton John.



1. Serial Killer Thriller - 9/10 - It opens with samples from Beetlejuice, and has a very sinister guitar. The guitar solo is a knockout.

2. Hamstring on the Highway - 10/10 - Tied with Painiac for best song on the album, it's very hardcore. It opens with eerie opera-like vocals, and some interesting samples. Afterwards, it hits you with a heavy guitar rift. There are also some interesting electronic and orchestrated work throughout the song. The lyrics are great and the chorus is blunt and in-your-face. I think there's some samples of George H.W. Bush in this song, although I'm not sure.

3. Golgoth - 8/10 - A short, dark instrumental, not really a song on its own, it's more like a build up to The Sick.

4. The Sick - 9/10 - It uses guitar noise to create a very cool, Marilyn Manson-like opening. The chorus features female vocalists, which is makes it different from the rest of the album. The guitars are very abrasive and heavy.

5. Painiac (Nothing Touches Me - 10/10 - The most famous song off the album, it's hard not to like it. Great, straight-to-the-point lyrics, and awesome guitar and electronic work. There's some samples of Ailen Wuornos near the end, as well as samples from NASA.

6. Shell - 7/10 - The most low-key song on the album, the music is minimal, but the vocals are the best on the album, and the lyrics are very memorable.

7. Analgesia - 10/10 - A hauntingly beautiful instrumental, it's the best of its kind. It combines ambience with echoing pianos, accompanied by some techno sounds and interesting sound effects.

8. Volcano - 10/10 - Unlike most of the non-instrumental songs, this really isn't heavy, but an awesome song nonetheless. With a great techno hook in the beginning, and catchy lyrics, this could have been a pop hit. The guitars add a nice flavor to the song, and the orchestra is reminiscent of John Williams.

9. Hot Hole - 10/10 - The heaviest song on the album. It has some weird tribal chanting in the beginning and middle of the song, but is strangely appopriate. The awesome lyrics are delivered with powerful, angry vocals over grinding guitars.

10. Transceration - 9/10 - A peaceful instrumental, and a perfect way to end the album. It has a New Age feel to it, and is great for relaxing and/or meditating after the powerful punch this album packs.



OVERALL SCORE: 9.2/10

CONCLUSION: If you like Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, or Fear Factory, you'll love this album. It's out of print and quite valuable, usually worth between $30-$100. Luckily, sometimes generous sellers list them for only $15. If you find it, GET IT."

Sinsation-Serial Killer Thriller

Mr Rayven | Las Vegas | 01/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Raymond Watts can be described in one word, "Genius". His music travels from his more jazz/swing based album praise the lard to more of a metal. His instrumental pieces are to be described as beautiful and haunting. Before there was Manson and NIN there was Raymond Watts in one form or another, whether it was as one of the original members of KMFDM or his work with countless other bands. lol i may sound lame, but its hard to find the words to accuratly describe is brand of music"