I think that everyone who says "NIN sold out/suck now/etc." just have the wrong expectations of NIN. NIN isn't industrial, it's rock/alternative with industrial influence - Like Stabbing Westward, Marilyn Manson, Garbage, Vast, and many other groups. Hell, I still think Pretty Hate Machine was, in many ways, closer to old school hip hop than industrial.
Yes, each Halo sounds different. Trent is a pop artist. In order to sell records, he has to create music that will somehow fit with whatever the current climate of music is at the time, while maintaining a desired feel. The producers and artists with whom he works know this, and their influence has shaped NIN's sound.
And even though NIN is one of my favorite bands, I still laugh at some of the lyrics and concepts at the time.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
They can be a little over the top!