For those of you that are familiar with the music of nine inch nails, you may be interested in Trent Reznor's album Year Zero. This album is an instant hit with me. I am thoroughly impressed. This is the nine inch nails album I have been awaiting since The Downward Spiral, which, like Year Zero showed a superior amount of creativity as well as genuiness.

A notable characteristic of all of Reznor's music is the emotional intensity injected into the vocals. Reznor makes the listener believe that the lyrics come strait from the darkest depths of his soul. Known for having dark lyrical themes, (including among other things, suicide, insanity, self-loathing and sadomasachism), the last couple of albums have been a bit lighter in mood, however, this does not take away anything from the latest album. It is as rock solid as any of his previous works.

Another thing worth mentioning about the new album is the bold exploration of melody combinations that is usually reserved for Reznor's remix albums. In a recent interview he mentions that he made this album not really caring what others would think about it. This may have given him the freedom to do some real experimenting unhindered by the perceived reactions of others. It is apparent that he does not feel tied to previous lyrical themes and has shown personal growth as far as his perception of himself in reguards to the world around him. For example, he seems to have taken an interest in social issues such as the gap between the rich and poor as well as political elections, and the environment. This is a huge leap from the days when he would focus intensly on intra-psychic processes like self perception, lust, guilt, isolation, and self-directed rage.

Trent Reznor, while still drawing from intense emotional depths in his vocals, has grown intellectually, and socially with his lyrics while boldly, and unapolligetically thrusting his unique musical style deep down inside our ears.