It does exactly what the title suggests. By the time I get to I Do Not Want This, I just feel.....done. Like I just can't handle pummeling myself with that much negativity in a single sitting. Even The Wall has it's "uplifting" moments. This is just a really DARK album.
I definitely don't disagree, but "A Warm Place" is pretty uplifting in comparison. I suppose it can also be seen as poignant or even sad, but the majority of it keeps away from neutral/sad chord voicings, so it's pretty 'up'. Also, I wouldn't call "Closer" negative sounding, though obviously its lyrics are.
Certainly a classic album. About the only song I can't get behind is "The Becoming" – but it's actually because it may be the best example of the way TDS is designed, which is to create as much discomfort as possible (though also building in shifts in mood). So, I quite like the acoustic sections, but the machine bits have that awful background loop of people screaming from Robot Joxx, and it annoys the hell out of me. I've hated it since I first heard the record in 2002ish. Mission accomplished, sorta!
It took a long time to get into "Heresy" as well, mostly because of the ridiculous falsetto vocals. Once I heard the demo version, though, all was good. It's far more menacing.
Even "Burn" (about the only proper b-side) is fantastic, aggro teenage lyrics aside.
I have a constant debate in my head about whether TDS or The Fragile should be considered the NIN '90s classic, but it's because TF may be my favourite album ever. Sales and attention-wise, TDS clearly wins in terms of cultural appreciation and impact.