Chabot Spectator

Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: The Scene

Media Credit: Photo Courtesy of Interscope Records

Since Nine Inch Nails released the sensational single "Survivalism" every Nine Inch Nails fan has been biting their nails in anticipation of the full-length disc Year Zero. The group released the album on April 17, 2007 in compact disc form and on Apple's iTunes program, which includes two "Digital Booklets." Lamentably it does not include any music videos.

Nine Inch Nails exhibits their classic traits with pulsing electric beats and screaming synthesizer, nothing short of glorious.

For Year Zero, Trent Reznor imbues an ethereal quality with layered vocals that recall the meticulous recording of Freddy Mercury but with an edgier twist that chills the soul.

Most of the tracks feel like surrealistic dream worlds, soundtracks to Salvador Dali paintings that will walk you into another dimension.

The subject matter is somewhat typical of NIN, discussing the concept of a god and the human relationship with such a being as well and human-to-human relationships and interactions. War and politics show up on the track "Capital G" as a representation of self-sense and knowledge.

The albums is fairly cohesive, as most of the topics relate and the music melds from one song to the next making it more of a journey than 18 disjointed tracks as many artists do nowadays.

This album is recommended for people who need to peacefully escape the world, or just go into a subconscious trance.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools