Trent Reznor, the one-man mastermind behind Nine Inch Nails,
has placed his 2007 album Year Zero, back on the mixing board to rework it
into the novelty hodge-podge titled Y34RZ3R0R3M1X3D
(Year Zero Remixed). On this remix
remake, Reznor opens even more creative outlets with Year Zero by bringing in 10 musical artists to twist the already
electronically distorted industrial rock album. The contributing artists'
concepts unfold new layers of eccentricity as each track creates a strong
manifestation of originality while still displaying a theme of futuristic
warfare found within the original album.
Against a tension-building drum line, Year Zero Remixed exposes the fast-burning, rage-fueled vocals of
Reznor on "Guns By Computer." Saul Williams, a modern hip-hop marvel who
remixed the track, lends his voice to narrate the revolt against a
technological anarchy. By taking the instrumental baseline of the original song
on Year Zero titled "HYPERPOWER!"
Williams amplifies the track by fusing it with abrasive power-punching lyrics
to create a result more potent than the original.
The next song, "The Great Destroyer," is the black sheep of
the remix record. Instead of enhancing it with techno contortions, Modwheelmood,
the electronic-alternative band who remixed it, strips the song down to nothing
but its bare essentials. By taking out the bombastic beats and replacing the
electronic guitar with acoustic, the song exposes Reznor's musical ability
through simplicity.
"Survivalism," also remixed by Williams, makes the best of
the mixing board by crafting alterations to enhance the song's original concept
of rebellion. The song is slowed down to engulf listeners in lyrics like "I got my
propaganda, I got revisionism/ I got my violence in hi-def ultra-realism." With
the insertion of a steady clap and a slight essence of echoing, the song is
able to musically mimic the riot it speaks of in the song.
A classic remix approach comes through on the songs "Capital G," and
"Meet Your Master." The darkness initially characterized by both songs is pumped
into a whirlwind repetition of funky techno beats to create an alluring — dare
I say — danceable new tune. This classic remix formula lightens the corrosive
undertones, leading the songs to a broader audience base to be more
commerically accepted.
Although unique in sound, "Me, I'm Not" is an experimental mess that
boils down the quality found in the former song. Pushing 14 minutes — nine
minutes longer than the original — the song is a string of synthetic noises
that sounds like a gothic trip through Bowser's Castle. Void of any lyrics or
structure, the track remains stagnant through its entire 14 minutes.
Despite a few altercations, the 14-track compilation is able to take an
innovative approach in creating a stimulating counterpart to Year Zero. The artists involved in the remix successfully incorporate new
elements without overwhelming the final product. Y34RZ3R0R3M1X3D is also significant in representing Nine Inch
Nails' breakaway from the conglomerate record company. With the completion of
the remix to meet contractual obligations with Interscope Records, Reznor is
now in complete control of all future music released under the band's name. Y34RZ3R0R3M1X3D marks the end of
Reznor's 18-year commitment to record labels and a remix in the way things will
be done for Nine Inch Nails in the years to come.
3.5 out of 5 stars
