Comments on: Trent Reznor: Year Zero

By: Brian Jacobsen

Brian Jacobsen — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 17:16:07 +0000

This reminds of the Massive Attack singles box set, where the whole box changes artwork when exposed to heat…
Why that box isn’t represented on this site is beyond me. -NICE site though ;-)

By: Mike aka Zaun

Mike aka Zaun — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 17:42:47 +0000

Awesome, You linked to my video. Thanks for the views

By: Garfield Sexchange

Garfield Sexchange — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 22:05:32 +0000

Cut off again. ….because I was a longtime NIN listener and only in recent years has- with the exception of The Slip, which is the first album I’ve bought since ‘With Teeth’- Reznor’s ideas and creations failed to inspire me. ‘Capital G’ was the only song on YZ that did anything for me, and its remix on YZR was terrible, just like the rest of the remixes. (The Limitless Potential- an open-source fan mix- I would have bought in YZR’s place in a heartbeat, even though it was distributed for free.) Ghosts as a whole was directionless and meaningless; I guess I have a need for some vocals, and the whole thing- I bailed after listening to I-III, so maybe just those- was an instrumental, what of it I listened to, I mean. If I want that sort of ambient brainfloss, I’ll listen to Jean-Michel Jarre or Tangerine Dream and actually _enjoy_ it.

I realize my comments may come out rather harshly, but I’m one of those people who kept missing out, couldn’t afford to go to concerts and was never accepted by the local crowd that embraced NIN (though not for any lack of trying). The music is what matters to me above everything else, and that’s why I’ve been so harsh a critic.

By: Garfield Sexchange

Garfield Sexchange — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:57:41 +0000

Sorry, cut off. …. is because I was a longtime NIN listeners and only in recent years-

By: Garfield Sexchange

Garfield Sexchange — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:53:32 +0000

As much as I enjoy a piece of work that
you really have to think about (while
simultaneously enjoying it, mind), my
beef with the whole Year Zero game can
be summed up in two points: 1) Exclusitivity, and 2) Chance. It’s nice to think most of NIN’s listeners are in
regular contact with at least a couple of other fans, but I really think this is far from the reality of the situation. I suspect the vast majority of people who bought Year Zero as a CD were wondering why the hell their CD had changed colour and if it was a design flaw inherent in the disc, and had no idea that a) what to do with the
message (if they realized what it was) and b) that the organization in the slipcase note- and the message provided if the number is called- is, (thankfully!) an invention by the producers. This sort of unlabelled grandstanding is becoming the norm, and I accept that it adds to the effect, but having a recorded message at this number, especially keeping in mind its exact wording and many of actions of US government agencies since September 11th, long before YZ was ever released, was foolish and possibly dangerous.
Lastly, the bulk of the details needed for the game were supplied in random, non-replaceing locations at clubs and stadiums on Year Zero’s tour. One, these items often were found by accident and often alone. Had someone been to the bathroom or walked blindly into a darkened corner of the arena grandstand a few minutes before or after, they might have or not have found it on the basis of that short span of time. And what about the eollctibles’ market? Once, or before, the game was done, these items would skyrocket in value and make the owners a lot of money (or get them free drinks at bars for the story’s tellings), something that I believe went against the message Trent Reznor was trying to convey. All of these factors in place were required to play this game, and to actually finish it, even if one wasn’t present or otherwise left out, was not a sure thing. The album wasn’t bad- but the game, as it was, was a popularity grab and a farce. The only reason I stuck by NIN after that, the terrible Remixed YZ album, and the flat, emotionless Ghosts I-IV, is because I was a

By: cecile

cecile — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 01:59:24 +0000

massive attack also did a heat-sensitive cover (well actually packaging) for their singles boxset 90/98, both in cd in vinyl formats

By: Andrew kelsall

Andrew kelsall — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 01:10:03 +0000

It’s one of those covers you notice straight away – it grabs you! Great stuff I reckon.

By: hiab-x

hiab-x — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 18:10:49 +0000

The last comment about Trent being hypocritical, overlooks the fact that NIN were still under contract to Interscope records. As far as I’m aware, the NIN contract included obligatory releases of product. This should be considered before assuming the worst of the forward thinking Mr. Reznor (Who also encouraged fans to steal/download the same album rather than be overcharged by the labels stipulated recommended retail price.

By: Oz

Oz — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 02:47:51 +0000

Rather than a “bland” cover it is actually highly symbolic of what the album is about. Concept. Worth checking out and investigating. Just like the ARG.

By: ribbo

ribbo — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 05:40:09 +0000

fair point about Trent putting so much emphasis on the CD design, but i guess if you are still going to do a cd, you might as well do it right.

Also, as part of this, and other nin releases, they have all had hidden clues related to the ARG