By Andrew Gregory
"With this record I feel a lot less concerned about what people think about it — especially the dying record industry. I couldn't care less about that right now."
-Trent Reznor
It is only fair to first state that I am a fan of Nine Inch Nails. So please note this article is coming from a place of utter bliss. After eagerly waiting and intently listening to the Newest Album ‘Year Zero’ (released April 17th) I find myself relieved. I feel validated.
Nine inch nail’s last release ‘With Teeth’ was not received well by many ‘fans’ because it had a mass appeal. And though I happen to be deeply in love with all the songs on ‘With Teeth’ I understand the sentiment. Rest assured you will be validated too.
You should know Trent Reznor fired his long time manager, John Malm for irresponsible accounting and possible embezzlement before recording his previous release ‘With Teeth’. After the many years of making music and touring Reznor found himself in a position of questionable prosperity. He needed to sell some records or NIN would not have a future at all. This would explain the numerous radio friendly singles released from ‘With Teeth’ such as ‘Everyday is Exactly the Same’. I believe this was Trent’s survivalism kicking in. Unfortunately, this action seems to have distanced the band from much of its base. With this in mind, I feel you should listen to the whole album and think on what the songs really mean. ‘With Teeth’ was a perfect step for NIN at the time.
Reznor stated that the new album titled ‘Year Zero’ was recorded in many different hotel rooms across the world by primarily only him in collaboration with engineer Atticus Ross. With riffs of static, strange digital loops, and gritty fills in true NIN fashion the record reflects this process.
"So, I took a little bit of time as a sort of writing experiment to imagine what the world might be like in the future. -Trent Reznor
‘Year Zero’ is a concept album about the future. Not unlike the future so many fear this nation and world seems to rapidly be heading toward. It is laced with laden political and ideological posturing from various people who might be living in the prospected future.
‘Survivalism’ is a virtual argument of Deconstruction.
‘Zero Sum’ is deism.
‘God Given’ is through the eyes of a racist who subscribes faithfully to the conflict thesis and the common western mantra of infallible entitlement and privilege.
‘Meet your Master’ is an ironic role-reversal for those captives who would commonly be referred to and considered to be enemy combatants.
‘The Great Destroyer’ is written as a nihilist who endeavors the destruction of everything.
‘In This Twilight’ Is a beautiful song about one excepting the end of life when it comes.
When you listen to all 16 tracks in their entirety Reznor fills in a cold vision of a passive yet hostel future not too far removed from the one described by our modern day sages.
Unlike the previous release "With Teeth", which had a more ‘marketable rock band’ feel to it, I anticipate a strong reception for ‘Year Zero’ from NIN fans at large. With a radical new direction Trent Reznor decided to make this album into something more then just another ‘Halo’.
"I wrote the soundtrack to a movie that doesn't exist."
-Trent Reznor
There are rumors of two movies being made by Trent featuring a vivid vision from the future. Year Zero
Go to www.Imtryingtobelieve.com
*BULLET POINT*
If you want to see the future, look into how NIN promoted this album using USB ports.
ag
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