Nine Inch Nails Year Zero Remixed

I'm going to try something different for this Nine Inch Nails newbie - commentary.

1. "Gunshots by Computer" - Saul Williams
Have you ever wondered what the lyrics would be to an instrumental track? This is the answer to "HYPERPOWER!"

2. "The Great Destroyer" - Modwheelmood
You won't hear the "Transformers" "great destroyer" chant before the noisy clatter, but you do hear the lyrics (part of) more clearly.

3. "My Violent Heart" - Pirate Robot Midget
Much like the original track, you nod your head and get some dancing action to this tune.

4. "The Beginning of the End" (J-Type Overdrive Mix) - Ladytron
I might be biased, but this is up there with Ladytron's take on Placebo's "Because I Want You To." In other words - fan-freaking-tastic! You hear faintly in the chorus Helen Marnie, one of the two female vocalists (the other Mira Aroyo), with Reznor's growl along with her haunting calls. The best part (besides the whole song) - the ending. I won't spoil the surprise. Reznor's next project should be: remix Ladytron songs!

5. "Survivalism" - Saul Williams
The lyrics did some "simma-down-now" that worked out to Reznor's new discovery, Saul Williams. Instead of bobbing your head, your slowly nodding your head.

6. "Capital G" - Epworth Phones
Reminding me a lot of Underworld, a great dancie tune you'll lose track of time to especially when you "drop, drop, drop, drop, drop... the bomb." It's something you'd hear at a trendy Wendy nightclub with good taste... MJQ?

7. "Vessel" - Bill Laswell
If your got a fever from the original, they used more cowbell on this track (aka: hotter!). A slight bit of an echo to the vocals adding more grit if that was possible. This is the one track that stayed very close to the instrumentation of the original - that's not a bad thing.

8. "The Warning" - Stefan Goodchild featuring Doudou N'Diaye Rose
The beginning reminded me of the movie Halloween, but ended up with tribal tom-toms accompanying the vocals. Definitely a different take.

9. "Meet Your Master" - The Faint
Much more upbeat and giving more personality, something else you'd hear at MJQ... maybe.

10. "God Given" - Stephen Morris & Gillian Gilbert
The reduction of the "noise" makes you listen more intently to the lyrics - although I do miss the abrupt pause and start up of the music. During the I'm-telling-you-a-secret transitions Trent whispers there is a happy beat playing which is quite nice to hear.

11. "Me, I'm Not" - Olof Dreijer
One of the longest instrumental songs I've heard (it's 14 minutes and 1 second long), this put me in a trance and walked with zombies... in a good way. This isn't like "La Mer," but more like driving down a long road in the middle of the night thinking of Lost Highway or David Lynch in general accompanied by whales. Like "Gunshots by Computer" gave lyrics to "HYPERPOWER!," Dreijer did to "Me, I'm Not." Track 11 is very strange, but a lovely surprise.

12. "Another Version of the Truth" - Kronos Quartet & Enrique Gonzalez Müller
I can't help but think of "The Frail" (on Things Falling Apart) and Requiem For a Dream when I heard this. I can't say anything more than it is heart-breaking, complex, terrifying and stunning.

13. "In This Twilight" - Fennesz
I hear a lot of With Teeth in this track ("The Line Begins To Blur"/"Beside You In Time"/ "Right Where It Belongs"). It's very self-reflective and much more powerful.

14. "Zero-Sum" - Stephen Morris & Gillian Gilbert
I'm very pleased they raised the volume on Reznor's "vocals" on this one.

So... should you buy it? That's totally up to you. If your a big fan of NIN, you should have it already! If you're looking for something different, I'd suggest getting the original Year Zero album before venturing out to this one. As far as I rate it - Trent baby, you did good.

Labels: CD Reviews, New Releases

posted by Terri @ 10:45 PM