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All quotes are together, as are all pre-release info sections. Still busy, but at least it makes sense now. I dread the reissue...
==10th anniversary Reissue==
In a Question and Answer session with NIN fans, Reznor hinted at the reissue of The Fragile for early 2010, a statement repeated via the [http://twitter.com/nineinchnails/status/4157519090 official twitter account], calling it an "Ultimate reissue".<!--No speculation, only facts here. I'm watching you Greg-->==Trent Reznor on ''The Fragile''==Reznor described ''The Fragile'' in a 1999 interview: <blockquote><p>"There's a general theme to the album of systems failing and [[Things Falling Apart|things sort of falling apart]]. In keeping with the idea of making everything sound a little broken, I chose stringed instruments because they're imperfect by nature. Although it may not sound like it, most of the album is actually guitar - and that includes the orchestral sounds and weird melodic lines. When it came to instruments that I didn't really know how to play - like the ukulele or the slide guitar - we were able to get some really interesting sounds by making the studio the main instrument."</p> <p>—Reznor [http://www.abc.net.au/rage/guest/1999/NIN.htm]</p></blockquote> In terms of narrative, the album is an unofficial continuation of ''[[The Downward Spiral (halo)|The Downward Spiral]].'' Reznor compares the lyrical content of the two albums: <blockquote><p>"I wanted this album to sound like there was something inherently flawed in the situation, like someone struggling to put the pieces together. Downward Spiral was about peeling off layers and arriving at a naked, ugly end. This album starts at the end, then attempts to create order from chaos, but never reaches the goal. It’s probably a bleaker album because it arrives back where it starts—[with] the same emotion.” The album begins “Somewhat Damaged” and ends “Ripe [With Decay]."</p> <p>—Reznor [http://www.ransomfellowship.org/articles_music/Music_Reznor.html]</p></blockquote>
[[Rob Sheridan]] has since mentioned that the project is delayed due to packaging decisions, and as yet there is no new reissue date.
==Track Listing==
===CD Release===
===Cassette Release===
The tracklist for the double cassette releases of ''The Fragile'' follow the CD tracklist, save for the insertion of "Appendage" onto the end of "Please" on US copies. The first tape splits between "Just Like You Imagined" and "Even Deeper," while the second tape splits between "Starfuckers, Inc." and "Complication."
==Early Track Sequences==
[[Image:Fragile_alt_tracklists_big.jpg|thumb|Alternate tracklists for ''The Fragile'' from the Fragility Tour Book]]
Note that whilst "Anomaly" has been confirmed to be the working title of "[[The Way Out Is Through]]," the final titles for "Rotation" and "Stained" have not been revealed; "[[Underneath It All]]" may be the final title for the latter, based on its prominent lyrical use of the word.
==The Lost Fragile Tracks==
[[Image:Nindotcom991013.jpg|thumb|right]]
A photo uploaded to nin.com during ''The Fragile'' era hinted at a collection of unused songs called "The Lost Fragile Tracks." No other information was given besides this title for the in-studio CD-R.
Interestingly, the same photo also shows another CD-R featuring "Please Part 2" (presumably renamed to "Appendage" for ''The Fragile'' cassette version) and "The New Flesh."
==Trent Reznor on ''The Fragile''==
Reznor described ''The Fragile'' in a 1999 interview:
<blockquote>
<p>"There's a general theme to the album of systems failing and [[Things Falling Apart|things sort of falling apart]]. In keeping with the idea of making everything sound a little broken, I chose stringed instruments because they're imperfect by nature. Although it may not sound like it, most of the album is actually guitar - and that includes the orchestral sounds and weird melodic lines. When it came to instruments that I didn't really know how to play - like the ukulele or the slide guitar - we were able to get some really interesting sounds by making the studio the main instrument."</p>
<p>—Reznor [http://www.abc.net.au/rage/guest/1999/NIN.htm]</p>
</blockquote>
In terms of narrative, the album is an unofficial continuation of ''[[The Downward Spiral (halo)|The Downward Spiral]].'' Reznor compares the lyrical content of the two albums:
<blockquote>
<p>"I wanted this album to sound like there was something inherently flawed in the situation, like someone struggling to put the pieces together. Downward Spiral was about peeling off layers and arriving at a naked, ugly end. This album starts at the end, then attempts to create order from chaos, but never reaches the goal. It’s probably a bleaker album because it arrives back where it starts—[with] the same emotion.” The album begins “Somewhat Damaged” and ends “Ripe [With Decay]."</p>
<p>—Reznor [http://www.ransomfellowship.org/articles_music/Music_Reznor.html]</p>
</blockquote>
==Cover Art==
[[Image:Fragile_cover_explanation.jpg|thumb|David Carson's explanatory image of ''The Fragile'' covers]]
A look through David Carson's book ''Fotografiks'' reveals that the top section of the album cover is from a photo of a waterfall and the bottom section is from a closeup photo of the inside of some kind of seashell. He explained further in an image on his website:
<blockquote>
<p>"packaging for trent reznor, back was going to be the front till the last moment. trent changed it saying it was kinda irritating yet something about it we liked so maybe it fit the music. front cover flowers i shot outside of austin texas. the 1 hour place called and said they messed up and used the wrong chemicals and the film was ruined. i said lemme see em anyway. this is how they came out. cover image is a waterfall in iceland and a seashell in the west indies."</p>
<p>—David Carson</p>
</blockquote>
==Bob Ezrin on Album Sequencing==
Bob Ezrin posted on [http://www.echoingthesound.org/phpbbx/viewtopic.php?p=1966685&sid=9660ab52e8096b0e71a1bf91d0198514#1966685 ETS] about his experience working on The Fragile.
<p>I loved working with him - and his whole team in fact - on this project. It just increased my respect for him as an artist and a man."</p>
<p>— Bob Ezrin</p></blockquote>
==Personnel==