bedeviled mojo slop

If you're just joining us, Trent Reznor released the single, "The Hand That Feeds", from the upcoming album, "With Teeth", in GarageBand format. From the enclosed readme:

What I'm giving you in this file is the actual multi-track audio session for "the hand that feeds" in GarageBand format. This is the entire thing bounced over from the actual Pro Tools session we recorded it into. I imported and converted the tracks into AppleLoop format so the size would be reasonable and the tempo flexible.

I spent about an hour doing some handy edit work. I'm pretty happy with it. I basically worked within the constructs of the song. It's the same length. I used the instruments, loops, and vocals from the track itself. I think it captures aspects of the song I wanted to see broken down, emphasized, removed, etc. I'd also be interested in what other people think of my revisions. Does Trent?

There are some copyright issues involved, so read the notice that pops up. Giving this away is an experiment. I'm interested to see what comes of it, what issues are raised and what the results are.

Clause 4 of the license for the disk image puts the squash on any thinking along those lines.

4. This license expressly forbids resale, relicensing, or other distribution of any of these sounds, either as they exist upon downloading, or any modification thereof. You cannot sell, loan, rent, lease, assign or transfer all or any of the enclosed sounds to another user, or for use in any competitive product.

I could've put my track up and waited for the cease-and-desist letter from the Interscope lawyers. That's not a battle I want to fight at this time.

The track as put out by Trent and Co. is out there for anyone to download. It's exactly what you're going to hear when you actually buy "With Teeth" on May 3rd, 2005. I applaud the effort to release the track in this way ... to allow for deconstruction, examination, listening, mixing, and so on.

So, maybe there will be some more offical channel, through Interscope or NIN or wherever, in which fans will be able to submit back their versions of the song. But why not "bake that in" from the very beginning? It's sooooooooo already there for it to happen. Just give the OK.

Either way, I had fun putting my mark on the song.