One Nation Under

One Nation Under

From Zero

Arista Records, 2001

REVIEW BY: Christopher Thelen

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 09/05/2001

We all know the old saying, "Appearances can be deceiving," orits brother, "Don't judge a book by its cover." Unfortunately, whenyou're staring at a press picture featuring a guy whose only hairis positioned into green-colored spikes, and he's wearing botheyeliner and a dog collar, well, I'm sorry, but one is definitelygoing to start making judgments. (Pictures like these I usuallypost on the walls of the Pierce Memorial Archives, and I askvisitors, "Would you buy a used car from this man?")

The subject in question is Jett, the lead vocalist for theChicago-based industrial band From Zero. And, to be truthful, Iprobably would have sat on From Zero's debut release One Nation Under for some time had it not been thanks to anincident at my local Target. I was happily shopping through themusic section, wondering how the industry could overinflate theprices on their product, when I heard a wonderful melody playingfrom the department's in-store TV programming. I looked up - and,egads, Jett was staring back at me from the monitor. This was From Zero?

You see, on first glance, I had expected the band to be ahard-edged industrial group with an appetite for cacophony. Infact, From Zero is a band who stresses melody and harmony first,intensity second - and, frankly, it's a helluva refreshing pace. One Nation Under had been harshly pre-judged by me - and, inall actuality, is one incredible disc.

The album's first single, "Check Ya," sets the pace for thegroup. Oh, sure, you have flashes of heaviness provided from theband - Jett, guitarists Joe Pettinato and Pete Capizzi, bassist RobLikey and drummer Kid - but there's actually a melody you could humthat is the backbone of the track. Jett's vocals are so clearlydelivered and mixed that it's almost like you're listening to a Top40 hit. And - good grief - they dare to use harmony vocals! This isnot your brother's industrial; this is intense rock taken to levelsI don't think have been achieved before. From Zero knows they'reonto something special here - and, quickly, the listener is let inon the secret.