Trent Reznor takes a look into the future 15 years off, and things are looking pretty grim. The artwork reflects the horrors of today (the wall keeping hell out of paradise) and the future (chips inserted under skin, removed to resist). The music this time is noisy, minimal and different from previous releases, though that familiar NIN sound does pop up now and again, a reminder of the long thread... read more
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Nine Inch Nails' sixth studio release, Year Zero takes the concept album further than it may have ever gone before. In advance of its release, URLs were hidden in tour t-shirts, music- and image-filled USB drives were 'found' at concerts, and dozens of websites have been packed with conspiracy stories that all involve the yJ
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Nine Inch Nails' sixth studio release, Year Zero takes the concept album further than it may have ever gone before. In advance of its release, URLs were hidden in tour t-shirts, music- and image-filled USB drives were 'found' at concerts, and dozens of websites have been packed with conspiracy stories that all involve the year 2022 or 'Year Zero.' Each clue is part of a cohesive whole, requiring a listener to follow an exhaustive web trail to grasp the entire tale. Focusing specifically on the music, "The Beginning of the End," the powerful first vocal track, is like the sonic and lyrical equivalent of an emotional ascension to a rollercoaster's peak, with the last few cacophonic seconds equaling the fall of individual freedoms. "Survivalism," Year Zero's first single, follows with guest vocalist/Slam artist Saul Williams pumping up the passion in its urgent chorus. While still industrial in genre, it's clear that Trent Reznor's musical evolution finds him bringing more mellow songs to the mix than he has on previous discs ("The Good Soldier," "The Greater Good," "In This Twilight") as well as an increased number of funk-affected rhythms, specifically in standout tracks "Capitol G" and "Me, I'm Not." Devotees of NIN's harder sound will appreciate the metallic crunch of "My Violent Heart" and "Meet Your Master." On the whole, the Nine Inch Nails we hear on Year Zero is less focused on producing heavy music and more focused on delivering its heavy, conspiratorial doomsday message. --Denise Sheppard
"Were this simply an album, it would be farther down my list. However, in 2007 Trent Reznor partnered with 42 Entertainment to produce an Alternate-Reality Game (ARG) that created a view of a dystopian future through a series of websites. Some labeled it a marketing tactic, but Reznor publicly announced that it was simply the way Year Zero was meant to be experienced. I was among the NIN fans who eagerly participated in the experience, and so largely because of the ARG surrounding Year Zero & all"
"I actually liked this better than The Downward Spiral. So I guess this is for now the best album from them I've heard. There are loads of great songs, only few weaker links.
Best song(s): The Beginning of the End, Survivalism, The Good Soldier, Me I'm Not, God Given, The Great Destroyer.."
"5th studio album
1. hyperpower!
2. the beginning of the end
3. survivalism
4. the good soldier
5. vessel
6. me, i'm not
7. capital g
8. my violent heart
9. the warning
10. god given
11. meet your master
12. the greater good
13. the great destroyer
14. another version of the truth
15. in this twilight
16. zero-sum"
the giraffe added this to a list 2 years, 7 months ago
"Not just great as an album, but for the overall experience of it combined with the ARG that coincided with it. More dense sonic layers here, and this marks the first time Reznor stepped outside of his journal for lyrics. Each song is told by characters inside the Year Zero world, and the end result is more rewarding with each listen."
Pumpkinate added this to a list 3 years, 6 months ago
"I know that I mentioned earlier that Trent Reznor and Co. will never quite possibly be able to out do "The Downward Spiral", well I was right, but this is a close second for me. After the critics slammed "With Teeth" Reznor rebounded with this post apocalyptic themed album (with viral sites and a fake 800# to boot) that showed everybody that Nine Inch Nails was nowhere near finished.
Essential Listening: "Capital G", "God Given", "Me I'm Not", "
“Trent Reznor takes a look into the future 15 years off, and things are looking pretty grim. The artwork reflects the horrors of today (the wall keeping hell out of paradise) and the future (chips inserted under skin, removed to resist). The music this time is noisy, minimal and different from previous releases, though that familiar NIN sound does pop up now and again, a reminder of the long thread Reznor has woven through the skin of his musical career. Year Zero would be a little fresher had Jeordie White (NIN’s live bassist and Marilyn Manson’s former sonic architect) co-written. Josh Freese is in the mix, and Saul Williams joins in on the hook for single “Survivalism,” a wartime anthem that takes it back to Pretty Hate Machine’s “Wish.” Although lacking a little dimension,” read more
Jessika added this to a list 5 years, 11 months ago
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