released: 04-16-2007label: interscope
Trent Reznor is back! And only after two years since Nine Inch Nails' last album (With Teeth). That's probably the least time in between albums by Trent's standards. But in no way does the album seem rushed. In fact I could say for myself that this album contains some of NIN's finest moments since "The Downward Spiral" and it's related releases (Closure, March Of The Pigs, etc...).
Produced by Reznor together with Atticus Ross (12 Rounds), Year Zero is a concept album which speaks of the author's discontent with the present American Policies. Reznor also stated that this album is only "part of a bigger picture of a number of things (he is) working on". Which, amongst others, will include an alternate reality game in which fans (unwittingly?) participate and a possible television series.
With regards to how the album sounds I could say that it contains some of NIN's loudest noises but the brilliance, as always is in the subtleties. The cd is not over-produced as with earlier releases and really captures the energy of the performances, especially with regards to the vocals. The cd starts off with "Hyperpower!" and the listener is greeted with the sound of intense drumming (Dave Grohl?) followed by heavily distorted guitars and noises and concludes with the music getting louder and louder then abruptly ends. Segue to "The Beginning Of The End" and suddenly shifts gear to let us hear some infectious drums which will not be out of place in an '80s bubblegum album. Third song is of course "Survivalism", the first single off the album, which kicks the album into higher gear. And for the next 13 songs the listener is taken on a rollercoaster ride of quiet-to-loud to not-so-quiet to ear-bludgeoning-frenzy.
In conclusion, as with a lot of Trent's post-Downward Spiral releases, this is an album that you will either loathe or love. Personally, I feel the latter.
nine inch nails official site
read other reviews of this album
Produced by Reznor together with Atticus Ross (12 Rounds), Year Zero is a concept album which speaks of the author's discontent with the present American Policies. Reznor also stated that this album is only "part of a bigger picture of a number of things (he is) working on". Which, amongst others, will include an alternate reality game in which fans (unwittingly?) participate and a possible television series.
With regards to how the album sounds I could say that it contains some of NIN's loudest noises but the brilliance, as always is in the subtleties. The cd is not over-produced as with earlier releases and really captures the energy of the performances, especially with regards to the vocals. The cd starts off with "Hyperpower!" and the listener is greeted with the sound of intense drumming (Dave Grohl?) followed by heavily distorted guitars and noises and concludes with the music getting louder and louder then abruptly ends. Segue to "The Beginning Of The End" and suddenly shifts gear to let us hear some infectious drums which will not be out of place in an '80s bubblegum album. Third song is of course "Survivalism", the first single off the album, which kicks the album into higher gear. And for the next 13 songs the listener is taken on a rollercoaster ride of quiet-to-loud to not-so-quiet to ear-bludgeoning-frenzy.
In conclusion, as with a lot of Trent's post-Downward Spiral releases, this is an album that you will either loathe or love. Personally, I feel the latter.
nine inch nails official site
read other reviews of this album
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