The Inevitable Rise And Liberation Of Niggy Tardust : Saul Williams : Review : Rolling Stone

This auspicious collaboration between poet-dancer-actor Saul Williams, a notably independent and militant underground hip-hopper, and Nine Inch Nail Trent Reznor, the rare rock dystopian who has been humanized by success, has many virtues. It showcases two indubitable rebels against oppression both micro (record biz) and macro (cryptofascism). It joins a black performance artist who has a penchant for hard beats to a white studio wizard who specializes in them. And it's downloadable at a suggested five dollars — or, if you prefer, zero cents. So you have nothing to lose but your processing time to discover that this arresting and intelligent music is less songful than Nine Inch Nails' 2007 Year Zero and less articulate than Williams' 2004 Saul Williams. Inspired above all by Public Enemy, whose "Welcome to the Terrordome" loops obsessively through the beat-y "Tr(n)igger," NiggyTardust! tends to smelt sonics and lyrics into sludge rather than forging an alloy. The metaphor is an overstatement — more than most soundscapes, the album is full of ideas. But how important these may be is left unclear.

ROBERT CHRISTGAU

(Posted: Nov 29, 2007)

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Review 1 of 4

5of 5 Stars

The official review is all wrong. I suppose is the kind of things you write when you expect another 50cent album and then you discover a real piece of good music. I have never liked hip hop or rap (except some things from public enemy and run dmc) but this album really capture me.

Dec 4, 2007 00:23:06

Review 2 of 4

5of 5 Stars

The supposed 'real' review has it all wrong. You can't just listen to this album once and claim it's mediocre. Great albums get better with each listen. NiggyTardust flawlessly fuses the hip-hop and industrial genres with a lyrical flow that would make the toughest rapper weep. Anyone who is a fan of music should download this album. Remember people, it's FREE.

Nov 25, 2007 16:18:14

Review 3 of 4

5of 5 Stars

This 'official' review is terrible. This is a great album and there is much more to which some people fail to realize.

Also, "It joins a black performance artist who has a penchant for hard beats to a white studio wizard who specializes in them." Yeah...was pointing out the color of Williams and Reznor really that important? If by that you are implying that black + white doesn't work musically, I beg to differ.

Nov 21, 2007 23:41:42

Review 4 of 4

5of 5 Stars

Robert Christgau, like the vast majority of Rolling Stones music "critics", has not a single clue as what great music is. 'Tardust' is worthy of a FIVE star review. Reznor and Williams are a match made in heaven. I hope this is only the beginning of a long working relationship. A VERY STELLAR MUSICAL WORK!!

Nov 19, 2007 05:52:33

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