|
| Year Zero | 
 enlarge | Artist: Nine Inch Nails
Label: Nothing Records
Category: Music
List Price: $17.99
Buy Used: $5.00
You Save: $12.99 (72%)
New (55) Used (40) Collectible (1) from $5.00
Avg. Customer Rating:  348 reviews
Sales Rank: 1400
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 000876402
UPC: 602517301566
EAN: 0602517301566
ASIN: B000O178BY
Release Date: April 17, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: THIs CD is in good condition everything in perfect order jewel case and all inserts included ready to ship first class.
|
| Tracks:
| • | Hyperpower! | | • | The Beginning Of The End | | • | Survivalism | | • | The Good Soldier | | • | Vessel | | • | Me, I'm Not | | • | Capital G | | • | My Violent Heart | | • | The Warning | | • | God Given | | • | Meet Your Master | | • | The Greater Good | | • | The Great Destroyer | | • | Another Version Of The Truth | | • | In This Twilight | | • | Zero-Sum |
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
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
Album Description
Japanese pressing of the 2007 album from Trent Reznor and friends. This is Part One of a two-part concept album set some 15 years in the future and is a vision of that future, a cautionary tale of a world we could be living in if current world events stay on the path we are set on. 16 tracks including the first single 'Survivalism'. Universal.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 343 more reviews...
 an undisputed masterpiece April 8, 2007
251 out of 286 found this review helpful
Breaking the tradition of a five-year gap between albums, Trent Reznor has released the new Nine Inch Nails album "Year Zero" (2007) a mere two years after "With Teeth" (2005). Reznor attributes the long periods between albums in the past on alcohol and drug excess that comes from touring. Sober now for the last several years, focused and confident, Reznor's "Year Zero" is perhaps the best album of his career.
"Highly conceptual. Quite noisy. F@!#ing cool" is how Reznor describes "Year Zero," which I think, really hits the (pardon the pun) nail on the head. Stepping outside himself and eschewing NIN's usual self-involved angry and depressive themes, "Year Zero" portrays a bleak picture of (presumably) American society sometime in the not too distant future. Conflict abounds, militarily and between classes, which is the major theme of the album. Different songs offer different perspectives of this futuristic world--from soldiers ("the good solider,") to greedy industrialists ("capital G") to extra-terrestrials; the listener sees this corrupt society from different vantage points.
While Reznor took a more rock oriented, organic, almost live sounding approach with "With Teeth," "Year Zero" sounds more like old-school NIN in that it is more "industrial" sounding, with less live drumming. And whereas when listening to most past NIN albums, one gets a sense of what the singles will be, with "Year Zero," this is not so obvious. While some of the songs have an infectious hook, it's hard to imagine most of these songs as radio-staples, as the album is kind of "out there." And while with many albums one can listen to individual tracks and enjoy the songs, separate from the album they are part of, "Year Zero" definitely sounds best when listened to in its entirety--as the listener can appreciate the songs more fully when the album is heard as a unit. Like any NIN of course, there are a lot of textures, often with a lot of instrumentals and effects going on at once; so while this album sounds good with just one listen, it just gets better and better with repeated plays. And while "Year Zero" is "quite noisy," the album doesn't hit you over the head the way "The Downward Spiral" does. "Year Zero," while at times chaotic, is more restrained, but no less powerful.
The short chaotic instrumental "Hyperpower," in its urgency, sets the pace of the album. "The Beginning of the End," with lyrics like "watch what you say they can read your mind," paints the future in Orwellian terms. Tuneful and straightforward, "The Beginning of the End" is somewhat similar to the styling of "With Teeth" era NIN. The rocking "Survivalism," already a radio hit, while not terribly challenging or one of the album's strongest songs, is effective and good enough. The somewhat subdued "The Good Solider," is taken from the perspective of a soldier, who is seriously questioning why he is fighting. The chimes towards the end of the song are especially effective. The bizarre, totally off-beat "Vessel," sounds "big" but also spacey. When I listen to it I visualize a Tyrannosaurus Rex romping through some prehistoric jungle. I interpret the song to be about some kind of drug/mind control devise. The meaning behind the eerie, sluggish "Me, I'm Not" is ambiguous. A cool song, this one needs to grow on you. The industrial anthem "capital G" is perhaps one of the strongest songs on the album. From the perspective of "the machine," the shakers and the movers behind business interests and the military-industrial-complex, "capital G" depicts the ruthlessness of those who hold the real power. "My Violent Heart," which goes back-and-forth between a restrained verse and loud, frenzied chorus, is quite captivating. The meaning of the song is somewhat vague--with the clear message that actions have consequences, as Reznor proclaims:
"you have set something in motion
much greater than you've ever known
standing there in all your grand naivety
about to reap what you have sown"
Another very off-beat but cool song, "The Warning," describes the world from the perspective of some kind of alien life-form, perhaps "the presence," the four fingered being that appears on the cover of the album. The religiously themed "God Given" has a real danceable beat to it, and could probably get a few spins in the clubs. "Meet Your Master," both thematically and musically, sounds like a cross between "Head Like a Hole" and "Burn," but is more three-dimensional and intricate. The instrumental "The Greater Good," a medley of several different instruments is very low-key, creepy, and effective. The melodic and dark "The Great Destroyer" moves the album along nicely. One of Reznor's finest instrumental compositions, "Another Version of the Truth" is hauntingly beautiful and melancholy in its' understated elegance. The low-key "In this Twilight," describing one's emotions on the eve of Armageddon, is stunning. The submissive finale "Year Zero," is the perfect closer, leaving a lasting impression that sums up many of the albums themes:
"shame on us
doomed from the start
may god have mercy
on our dirty little hearts
shame on us
for all we've done
and all we ever were
just zeros and ones"
While I loved "With Teeth," there is no doubt in my mind that this is a superior album. Even though I'm a huge NIN fan and tried my best to be objective while reviewing this album, there really isn't a negative thing I can say about it. "Year Zero" is a total triumph, musically and thematically. With the state of the world the way it is, living in George W. Bush's America, an album like "Year Zero" needed to be made. Not offering any simplistic solutions and without preaching, Reznor has made the definitive album of this decade--an album encompassing the feelings of anxiety and despair one feels living in the `00s, while taking NIN's music to new heights. Reznor's "Year Zero" is an undisputed masterpiece that is essential listening.
Genius March 28, 2007
55 out of 67 found this review helpful
I'm not one of those guys who says that the newest work from an artist is their best. Did I like "With Teeth"? Of course. Was it better than "The Fragile"? Not really. Ignoring personal taste, I think it's fair to say that "The Downward Spiral" is the music-changing masterpiece of Nine Inch Nails. It was a fusion of the electronica of "Pretty Hate Machine" and the raw guitar of "Broken" and Reznor has done nothing like it since (unless you want to count the track "Burn" which came out shortly after "TDS"). "Year Zero" picks up sonically where "TDS" left off and politically where "With Teeth" left off. All of which is to say that I think this may be the best thing he's ever done. Again, this is my personal taste of preferring a lot of electronic noise (I always wanted a whole album of material like "The Becoming" and boy, did I get it!), but the bigger proof may come from the fact that Reznor has never recorded or written anything as quickly as he has "Year Zero." Anyone who understands a creative mind will understand that if it spews out of you and you don't mess with it, that's your subconscious working, which is where genius lives. It's loud, it's angry, and the future's not bright. I can't wait to hear what Part Two is like.
Bring on the NOISE! April 18, 2007
48 out of 61 found this review helpful
Thank you for not taking so damn long to put out another album since you last one. And thank you for a "return to form" (cliched perhaps, but true in my estimation) albeit in a new direction. Not since The Downward Spiral have I enjoyed one of your albums so much. I have to admit that though I like With Teeth, I don't love it, and it has not gotten a lot of play in my CD player. Well baby, that has change with Year Zero. Political and Social issues aside, it is a great concept for an album and a great sound. I actually like Capital G, contrary to another reviewers take, and it is the most "poppy" of the songs on this expansive album. I really love the sound textures that are explored, and the music itself really engages me. I would rank it up there with Downward Spiral and Pretty Hate Machine, my two favorite NIN albums, though it has a more "Broken" feel to it in places. It edges out The Fragile for my 3rd favorite, and it well ahead of With Teeth (sorry Trent).
All in all, I like this new direction stylistically and musically. The lyrics are an improvement over With Teeth as well. Keep experimenting, you seem to find your muse that way. Superbly engineered, excellent audio quality. Bring on the sound collages and I look forward to hearing what follows. But for now, my ears are feasting...
4 1/2 Stars ...I'm hoping the best is yet to come.
EDIT: Okay, I've been listening to YZ for over a week now and it is still a rewarding experience. Some may say it does not have the depth of former albums but to you I say, keep listening. I am finding new things to hear on every spin, and the songs are growing on me even more -- getting under my skin. Truly a complete work, I journey through it then want to hit repeat to take the journey again. YZ also got me to throw With Teeth back in my CD player and I have to say that I am appreciating it more than I used to.
While I found Year Zero almost immediately accessible, that by no means makes it simple and I am do discover new things with every listen. Don't compare it to previous works and enjoy it for what it is.
UPDATE (013108): I've had this album for a while now and it just keeps getting better with repeat listens. I discover something new in each song, some subtle variations that are revealed only after many spins. A good sound system helps too. This is far from being just noise -- it is an expertly crafted sonic landscape. I am really looking forward to YZ Pt.2. Until then, if you like this, then check out Y34RZ3R0R3MIX3D / [CD/DVD Combo]
"And all we ever were, just zeros and ones..." April 22, 2007
35 out of 45 found this review helpful
Although I hadn't followed the extremely elaborate and horrifyingly creative marketing behind this album, when I heard that Trent was going to put out a new album in such a short amount of time after the release of "With Teeth" (well, short by NIN standards), I immediately got excited. I've been a huge fan of Nine Inch Nails for a long time and Reznor had never disappointed me. Even though I didn't think "With Teeth" was his best effort, I had a feeling it was leading up to something even bigger than the fans and even Reznor could have ever imagined. And that is this supreme entity that is "Year Zero." I cannot tell you how many times I've listened to this entire album, as I have lost count. Trust me, I'm sure it's in the hundreds somewhere.
"Year Zero" being a conceptual album tells the story of a very bleak and ultimately hopeless America in the future where power and greed has overtaken the country, the government is in control of everyone and everything, and not only that, a sort of "presence" from another world, another universe has given us a stern warning to change our ways or face our terrible annihilation. While the album does tell a story, gives us different perspectives and such, it still works as a full length album that's enjoyable to listen to all the way through even if you don't pick up on all of that from the start.
It's really hard to put in words what an impression this album has left on me, but I'll do my best. After hearing this album, it now becomes clear and it seems like all the other past albums were leading up to this moment. I think Trent knew all along he would make this album, it was just a question of time. The music and the lyrics are hypnotically stunning and Reznor's still got it as far as vocals are concerned. There are verses and choruses that will stay with you and refuse to get out of your head, especially the last haunting chorus in "zero-sum."
This is really an album that you want to listen to all the way through every single time. Sure, there are songs that are my favorites, but the experience comes from listening to the entire thing. It's rare when I want to do that, and also listen to it in the exact order that it's presented. My favorites are "the beginning of the end," "survivalism," "the good soldier," "capital g," "the warning," "in this twilight," and "zero-sum." Again, I love the entire album, but those are my favorites.
Just keep this in mind, if you're expecting another "Downward Spiral," you will be disappointed. Know why? Because "Year Zero" sounds like "Year Zero." It's a different entity from the other past efforts. Also, this is one that requires multiple listens as you'll pick up something new each time. So, make sure you listen to it a bunch of times all the way through before you make your decision. It's not meant to be an instant hit, although it was for me. Instant hits get forgotten quickly. "Year Zero" will go down as one of those classic albums that everybody talks about, and I truly believe in that. Mellow, loud, noisy, quiet and shockingly deep, Reznor has put out a superb masterpiece, and after many listens I can safely say that "Year Zero" is by far my favorite Nine Inch Nails album. -Michael Crane
 Traditional NIN Fans Stay FAR Away May 14, 2007
28 out of 52 found this review helpful
This is certainly a disputable album; in fact, it is a huge disappointment. After reading some of the reviews already on Amazon, I am not unconvinced that Reznor himself (or any friends) wrote them given how unrealistic they are. Is this the current state of music as it stands? Have we lost that much aesthetic judgment, tact, and taste since the 1990s? Are we that far gone?
The Fragile was a fantastic album, and I have enjoyed Reznor since Pretty Hate Machine. I can remember the caustic tone of voice throughout much of the Downward Spiral. And I certainly appreciated the skillful composition of Fixed, though it was certainly no comparison to its predecessor, Broken. I even thoroughly enjoyed Further Down the Spiral, especially if you were fortunate enough to grab the copy with Ruiner V.2 on it.
Where does this leave Year Zero? Year Zero belongs in Year Zero, a non-existent state. This album should have never been made. I was becoming more frustrated with Reznor as he began to become more political, but he has now finally reached the pinnacle of politicization and for that, he is forever lost. This certainly does not mean that artists cannot inject their political views and attempt to infect those who listen. Certainly not. But when one becomes too seduced by the Siren of politics, one forgets about art, and this is where the problem lies. It seems that Trent is now catering his politics to the same swine that he attacked with such vitriol in his earlier albums.
After buying this album, I immediately started to listen to it. Every Song is Exactly the Same. I was willing to give this album away to a close friend who has been a connoisseur of good rock and a veteran of NIN, yet, he had already purchased the album. Unfortunately, he corroborated my opinion and I realized I was not alone. Reznor had mentioned some years back that he wanted to do Pop music, but it was going to be a different kind. He terrified me when he uttered such words, but I thought perhaps he changed his mind. It looks like this is exactly what he meant.
Admittedly, this album does not deserve one star, perhaps 2, but certainly no more than 3. I have only chosen 1 out of the disgust of so many people who felt it deserves 5. Any traditional NIN fans should boycott this album and perhaps encourage Trent to go back to the dreadlocks of Head Like a Hole in hopes that it might inspire him into something more artistic yet again. If you do buy this album, be wary that it may collect dust, but it does make an excellent centerpiece and even acts as a nice coaster.
Please Trent, don't bother making another album if you are going to put out more garbage like this. You are beginning to parallel those rap /pop artists who, after they make their first hit, they release kindergarten fingerpaint because they know that their name will now sell.
If this reflects the current state of affairs as far as music is concerned, then we have much more to worry about than Trent's pathetic attempt at prognostication and storymaking.
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
