Difference between revisions of "Vessel"

Revision as of 15:25, 21 August 2008

Album:Year Zero

Length:4:53

Tempo:{{{BPM}}} BPM

Versions:Vessel
Vessel: Bill Laswell
Vessel (Mix 1): Bill Laswell
Vessel (Mix 2): Bill Laswell

"Vessel" is the fifth track on the 2007 release Year Zero.

Musically, the song consists of heavily distorted drums, a wall of synthesized sound that hits in a percussive way locking up with the drums, Trent Reznor's vocals not as obscured as on other songs, and ending improvization using a set batch of sounds reminescent of a traditional guitar solo. However, this section is not performed on guitar, but was the result of estensive computer editing of programmed parts that allude to a traditional guitar solo.

There is a theory that "Vessel" is about John of Boston. In the transcript of his discussion with the facility member he mentions that he is a vessel for the truth. Another theory is that the song is about pills given to US soldiers to counteract the effects of Parepin or Opal. ("When I put you inside of me, none of that matters anymore" and "I am turning into God" suggests this.)

Appearances

Halos

Year Zero
Y34RZ3R0R3M1X3D

Versions

Vessel

This is the original album version.

Vessel: Bill Laswell

This official remix appears on Y34RZ3R0R3M1X3D. The intro mixes the glockenspiel melody and "alarm" sound with percussion elements found within the song. A guitar can be heard playing along to the percussion beat. An echo effect can be heard in the vocals, making it sound as though a voice is whispering underneath the vocal melody. A percussion breakdown comes in after the first chorus and other sound elements come in over the beat. Many of these elements drop out before the second verse, leaving only a rhythmic percussion beat. As the second verse progresses, sound elements from the original version are added. The outro is similar to the original version as well, with the exception of a couple of new noise elements added.

Song Credits

Mix translation and additional production: Bill Laswell
Additional beats: Fanu
Created at Orange Music

Engineer: Robert Musso
Assistant: James Dellatacoma

Mastered by Michael Fossenkemper at Turtle Tone Studio, NYC
Administration: Steven Saporta/Invasion Group

Vessel (Mix 1): Bill Laswell

This remix appears on the vinyl edition of Y34RZ3R0R3M1X3D. It begins with an extended instrumental introduction, incorporating many sound elements from the original Year Zero version. Lyrics are very sparse in the first half of this mix, making it seem more like a dub mix. At almost 4 minutes in, the lyrics truly enter into the mix as many of the sound elements drop out, before gradually coming back in. The vocals contain some distortion which makes them sound far less organic than those in the original version.

Vessel (Mix 2): Bill Laswell

This remix is on the vinyl edition of Y34RZ3R0R3M1X3D. It's essentially "Vessel: Bill Laswell" with an extended ending—an "appendage—with a running time of about seven minutes, bringing the total length of this version to over 13 minutes.

Live

"Vessel" made it's live debut at the Edmonton, AB show on 07/28/08.

A picture while it was being played was posted on nin.com's blog.

Miscellaneous

The alarm sound looped in the WARNING box on the Art is Resistance website is a sample from this song (heard at 1:48).

Lyrics

    I let you put it in my mouth
    I let it get under my skin
    I let you pump it through my veins
    I let you take me from within
    They tell us what we can and cannot do
    Same thing we've heard a hundred times before
    When I put you inside of me
    None of that matters anymore
    
    My God
    Can it go any faster?
    Oh my God
    I don't think I can last here
    
    I am you and you are me
    We will never be alone
    I have finally found my place in everything
    I have finally found my home
    I can leave all of this flesh behind
    I can see right through this whole façade
    I am becoming something else
    I am a turning into God
    
    My God
    Can it go any faster?
    Oh my God
    I don't think I can last here

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 | length = 4:53
 | versions =Vessel<br>Vessel: Bill Laswell<br>Vessel (Mix 1): Bill Laswell<br>Vessel (Mix 2): Bill Laswell
-| live = N/A
+| live = [[Lights in the Sky Tour]]
 }}'''"Vessel"''' is the fifth track on the 2007 release ''[[Year Zero]].''