Year Zero
by Nine Inch Nails
  • Record Label: Nothing
  • Release Date: Apr 17, 2007
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 256 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 235 out of 256
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 256
  3. Negative: 12 out of 256

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  1. TannerM
    Apr 25, 2007
    10
    This album works best as a whole. great songs. great music, great message. Zero sum could easily go down as one of the best closers of all time
  2. TRuiner
    Apr 25, 2007
    10
    Staying 2 years ahead of everyone else as usual.
  3. MaxL
    May 24, 2007
    10
    I think that Trent Reznor has just proved he's still alive and kicking. Year Zero is as fine as all his other works, yet it feels simpler. For this, I say at last, someone isn't afraid to do simple and well constructed songs (as the Beatles were doing in their time) There's a lot of work in it, a lot of thinking and you can hear that quality has mattered in the creation of I think that Trent Reznor has just proved he's still alive and kicking. Year Zero is as fine as all his other works, yet it feels simpler. For this, I say at last, someone isn't afraid to do simple and well constructed songs (as the Beatles were doing in their time) There's a lot of work in it, a lot of thinking and you can hear that quality has mattered in the creation of that album. The general feel of it keeps going all along, yet you almost feel like listening to hip hop at some times (My Violent Heart, The Greater Good) , and hard rock in others (Survivalism, Meet Your Master, The Beginning of the End) with catchy chorus and great instrumental parts. Overall, this is the most complete and fitting with itself album Nine Inch Nails' brain has made since The Downward Spiral.… Expand
  4. JesucristoElSeñor
    Jun 23, 2007
    9
    Although Year Zero might not be as uncompromising and angst-ridden as Reznor's previous albums (the exception being WIth Teeth), it is a multilayered, musically vigorous and urgent piece of work. As an album it is extremely cohesive and is minimally self-indulgent (remarkable coming from the artist who created Pretty Hate Machine and the Downward Spiral) and provides the some of the Although Year Zero might not be as uncompromising and angst-ridden as Reznor's previous albums (the exception being WIth Teeth), it is a multilayered, musically vigorous and urgent piece of work. As an album it is extremely cohesive and is minimally self-indulgent (remarkable coming from the artist who created Pretty Hate Machine and the Downward Spiral) and provides the some of the most compelling lyrics of any Nine Inch Nails album. The songs are catchy, the production is stellar, and the tracks present strides in the development of the band's sound.… Expand
  5. booyah
    Jul 18, 2007
    10
    This album is awsome. 'Me, I'm Not' and 'Capital G' are definate standouts but the whole album rocks. I can't wait for part 2 next year
  6. Hellion
    Nov 25, 2013
    2
    I have a lot of respect for Trent but ever since With Teeth hit the scene its been downhill ever since. The Slip and Hesitation Marks are a step in the right direction (no emo lyrics and more experimental) though. I have to correct the guy who rated it low saying there are 3 different kinds of NIN fans. Wrong. There are 2. Those that really like the first 3 recordings (PHM, Broken andI have a lot of respect for Trent but ever since With Teeth hit the scene its been downhill ever since. The Slip and Hesitation Marks are a step in the right direction (no emo lyrics and more experimental) though. I have to correct the guy who rated it low saying there are 3 different kinds of NIN fans. Wrong. There are 2. Those that really like the first 3 recordings (PHM, Broken and Downward) and then when Fragile hit with its softer approach it got the next wave of fans. As others have said. This album and With Teeth are incredibly boring. Personally I have always thought Trent had something special going on with those 3 first recordings and the Quake soundtrack. That industrial decayed edge. I suppose we all go through changes. Rated a 2 for the 2 good songs and thats it. Me, I'm Not and God Given.… Expand
  7. RedAFX
    Apr 11, 2012
    10
    Nine Inch Nails' most ambitious offering to date, with a concept based around the future of the human conciousness we see Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross exercising their most experimental works into pop/rock anthems, a benchmark for modern music production.
  8. JLuis_001
    Sep 6, 2018
    7
    A great conceptual album with a huge background story, perhaps its mistakes lies in certain songs that feel similar and at times the album feels too passive and too electronic.
    Maybe Trent left the rock a little more on the side and although it is not a bad thing, I did expected a darker album.
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Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Most Discussed Album of 2007
32
#32 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Sputnikmusic
    80
    Make no mistake this is NIN as usual, but [it is] an effortless, inspired, and unaffected Trent Reznor the likes of which we may not have had the pleasure of knowing for almost a decade and a half.
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Amid its carefully calibrated sonic assaults, Year Zero has a number of tracks that will stop you in yours.
    Read full review
  3. The Guardian
    60
    Its nihilism can grate, but it makes an impression.
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