NINE INCH NAILS - Year Zero Review

It is hard to believe Trent Reznor has been doing this nearly 20 years. Between NIN's first full length release in 1989, Pretty Hate Machine, numerous albums of odds and ends, live performances, and the explosion of the now classic "The Downward Spiral" LP, Reznor has dazzled us with his musical brilliance, annoyed us with his angst, surprised us with his humanity, and shocked us with his dark vision....full text If you miss the elaborate conspiracy theories of The X-Files, you'll love Nine Inch Nails' Year Zero. A sci-fi concept album whose end-of-days, paranoia-drenched story line has been disseminated via the Internet, it will appeal to every geek with Fox Mulder's ''I Want to Believe'' poster on their bedroom wall. (In fact, a key lyric finds NIN majordomo Trent Reznor proclaiming, ''I am trying to believe.'')...full text Artfully promoted with staged leaks (an MP3 file was “found” in an American restroom), on his sixth studio album Trent Reznor imparts a vital message to his fans — the world is all messed up, or something. It romps along though, living up to the stickered promise of “16 Noisy New Songs”. Pounding beats are borrowed from Gary Glitter, and the singles Survivalism and Bush-bashing Capital G are among several highlights....full text