"Closer"

Nine Inch Nails
(Nothing/Interscope, 1994)

In which original mechanical animal and all-around deadsexy motherfucker Trent Reznor shakes down copulation to its squishy anatomical details to the tune of a squirmy diseased deathfunk that's all insectoid buzzing, gloopy-fingered bass warts, and other indications of topical inflammation. Diagnosis: inasmuch as "Closer" equates/confuses God with sex, call this a terminal case of dark (artist formerly known as) Prince-itis.

-- Carly Carioli