Year Zero

[Myles Becker]

Like most of you, you've probably had Year Zero in heavy rotation for a little over a week after NIN made the album available to listen to online (and the subsequent FLV-to-audio ripping that occured just mere hours later so that you could get the message to the masses).

I described it to a friend of mine as Trent going back to his industrial roots, but bringing a more accessible album to the world. It's fresh, it's got a scary message and frankly, it is probably the best album that he has put out.

I don't say that lightly, either.

I've been a fan since an old roomie of mine let me borrow Pretty Hate Machine on a tape in 1991. I listened to it while going to sleep one night and the dreams and nightmares I had that night are still hanging around...

I'm a huge fan of most of the things that Trent has put out, and while The Fragile was his most mature album to date, Year Zero gets my vote for best. I don't know if it's because he wrote it in such a short period of time so as not to lose the stream of consciousness, or if it's just so relevant right now, but I feel like he just hit the proverbial nail on the head with this album.

Favorite tracks so far are:

04 - The Good Soldier

03 - Survivalism

14 - Another Version of the Truth (I'm a sucker for instrumentals)

09 - The Warning

08 - My Violent Heart

And, while it may not need to be said, the ARG (Alternative Reality Game) that has been going on for the past few months is just plain brilliant. The sheer volume of sites and secrets that have been uncovered is amazing. The interactivity with the phone calls, e-mails, etc. is incredible, Definitely the best thing I've experienced in a very long time.

I'm sure most of the folks on here have received their CD, or have at least listened to the album several (hundred) times, but in the off chance that you haven't yet, do yourself a favor and go grab it now...great stuff.

Thanks for listening!

-m-

[r303blue]

Good show. Totally agreed, it's a really solid album, and so right about not losing focus throughout. I still for some reason love TDS as my top choice, but this is coming in second I think. Fave tracks:

5. Vessel

10. God Given

13. The Great Destroyer (that Queen-like singing caught me!)

14. Another Version Of The Truth (agreed on insturmentals, some of his best work. Warm Place anyone?)

PS Have you noticed how many time he says something about being on your hands and knees? Count em, weird!

[Myles Becker]

Thanks for the comment...honestly, it's hard for me to pick and choose favorites, because each album brings something to the table that no other album does. I 100% respect your choice of TDS, because that was a very powerful, angry, pissed off Trent at the peak of his industrial strength. Great album...

I think the main reason this one is my favorite is because of all the extenuating circumstances, you know? The ARG, the theme, and the extra length he has gone to make it more than an album...it's an experience...and for that, I give him my top spot. :-)

Thanks, again, for the comment!
-m-