Big Hero

AMG Review of Big Hero

Greg Prato
All Music Guide

One of Trent Reznor's latest signings to his Nothing label, 12 Rounds, tends to combine NIN's electro-rock with Marilyn Manson's horror musings on their second album, Big Hero. Singer Claudia Sarne's voice can best be described as a possessed Patti Smith, while Atticus Ross programs mostly creepy music as an accompaniment (such as the album's opener, "Come On In Out of the Rain"). And like Patti Smith, Sarne's lyrics at times come off sounding like a weird form of poetry, such as the track "Pleasant Smell." Also included is "Sunshine," which contains music that sounds like an alterna-rock take on The Munsters theme (which is a compliment), and the intriguing, almost solemn track "Two Miles." Also included is a collaboration with goth-rock godfather Nick Cave, "Where Fools Go," which does indeed bear some resemblance to Cave's former band the Birthday Party. What sets 12 Rounds apart from most of the electro-rock pack is that they don't partake of the over-the-top noise approach. Experimentation and strong songwriting is what makes 12 Rounds' Big Hero a success, not shock-rock gimmickry.