Hum - Downward Is Heavenward (10 tracks) +Album Reviews

They're Beyond Everything....

Paul H. | USA | 06/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hum is a band that can be embraced by both indie snobs and fans of more commercial rock, and for good reason. The songs are beyond compare, the lyrics are romantic in a highly intelligent, strange, and yet comforting manner. And of course, the riffs destroy just about everything in its path. Like the guitar haze of My Bloody Valentine, Spacemen 3, and Flying Saucer Attack? Check. Like the riffs of the Deftones, Failure, and The Smashing Pumpkins? Hum leave those guys in the dust. Downward Is Heavenward will perhaps remain one of the 90's most overlooked records, rather sadly. It takes the potential of You'd Prefer An Astronaut and completely follows through times ten. Whether underground or commercial sounds are more your speed, you'll definitely find something to like here."

Musical Geniuses IGNORED

StussySteveo@hotmail.com | Los Angeles, CA | 01/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have yet to find a reason why Hum is not more well known or popular (around Los Angeles at least). Sadly, Satan (the radio) mainly allowed only ONE track of Hum seep onto the radio waves and that song was "Stars" from their album "You'd Prefer An Astronaut". Any Hum fan could tell you that Stars was not their best song, maybe the catchiest, but not their most complex.

By first appearance the members don't look as intimidating as their music. Although love through a scientific microscope really isn't "intimidating" to many. Matt Talbott (vocalist) doesn't look like he could hurt a fly unless it slammed into his large bifocal lenses. The band itself doesn't resemble the cliché of "hardcore rock band". Maybe it has something to do with coming from Champagne, Illinois.

They push their instruments in all directions, from a hard ambient orchestra of grunge as in "Isle Of The Cheetah" or the tranquil yet distorted space rollercoaster of "Afternoon With The Axolotls", these 4 gentlemen could easily be mistaken for neo-grunge symphony composers. Though their intellectual aspect is seen not only through instruments but also through their lyrical sentiment. They combine love with science and astronomy and create a true uniqueness that defines Hum. I'm not going to sugar coat anymore explanatory definitions in reference to Hum, you can find an ultimate and passionate understanding here: [ http://www.h-u-m.net/bio/index.shtml ] (Oh and bookmark that site--it's amazing how much passion was devoted. Thanks Marijun!)

There may not be many fans out there, but I've noticed that the majority that are, are diehard. There has to be a reason for that impact. Maybe you should check it out and find out for yourself--then enlighten friends! After hearing an album, it shouldn't surprise you why 3/4 band members obtain their Master's Degrees. Yet, the only surprise that stands is the majority that are unaware of the brilliance that remains to echo here.

Maybe it's just that Hum is too deep for the common listener, whom prefers to swim comfortably at the surface rather than swim down into the unknown. After all, Downward is Heavenward. (Cheeeesy but true!)

-Steve"

Much better and differnt than youd perfer an astronaut

Paul H. | 09/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"last december i bought astronaut and liked it alot. then i remembered hum released a new record so i got that.i wasnt sure if it would be good so i bought it on tape. let me just tell you after listening to it at least 1000 times i still love it.hum is a very different band than others that play this type of rock because they progress and put out good albums.you can tell they know what their doing because the music is very inteligent. its a very romantic record and at times sound heavenlike and very hypnotic. if thats your thing this album is for you.i can only say that the big guitars and very technical drums make this record a huge wall of sound. the wimpy but outsanding vocals make a really good contrast against the heavy distorted guitars.this is one of my favorite albums and i dont have many. the songs that i feel are best are isle of the cheetha-green to me- afternoon with the axolotls-the inuit promise and comin'home. but those are just my favorites but the whole album is great.its very good album oriented math rock.i really cant say enough great things about this record. if you only get one hum record forget youd perfer an astronaut and get this one you wont be disapointed"

Amazing

booktyrant | 07/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"in my time I have heard people say that hum is similar to bands like Failure and Blinker the Star quite a bit. Okay, fair enough, but really they are in a league all of their own. While their music will most likely appeal to fans of those bands, hum owns a uniqueness that few have experienced but many come to love. Everything from the swelling guitar riffs to the soaring solos (if you can call them that, they usually have one guy soloing during the chorus, and the other is playing riffs), to the manic drumming, and the stuffy vocals set them apart from the mainstream. Its really too bad they didnt stick around, although it really wasnt their fault either. Downward is Heavenward starts out slow, with Isle of the Cheetah, Mat Talbot's nasal voice slicing through a lush guitar riff. It builds up slowly and gets heavier and heavier, until it fades off and gets light again. One would think this sets the mood for the album, but it really doesnt. Hum mixes in emo, pop, and rock in an amazing record. Highlights include If you are to Bloom, The Scientists, The Inuit Promise, and Green to Me. Check this one out if you havent already, I think that you will like it. Hum was a band with a lot of potential and a lot of talent. These four musicians blend together very very well, and it works extremely good. A musical masterpiece not to be missed."

A universe you never saw

nick | st cloud, mn usa | 11/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"in the great pantheon of music, one thing is clear: drug addicts write the best songs. time and again this truth is proven. radiohead, spacemen 3, pat boone (just kidding). hum should fall into that category. on the first few listens, "downward is heavenward" seems like one of those albums that sound like it was made in some magical faraway land of colorful sounds and lyrics that somehow say what our souls have been aching to scream for ages. but the more spins you hear, the more you notice how incredible the songwriting is, how phenomenal the guitar work gets, how masterfully the entire album was mixed and assembled. this wasn't a drug-induced record. these guys are just that far ahead."isle of the cheetah" is undoubtedly a rock gem. i defy you to find its equal. it serves as the portal into a 52 minute lesson about the universe you can't see with your eyes. from there, the album winds its way along, alternately chundering, melodic, and surreal. moments of pure genius are stacked all along the jouney, in every song. "apollo" is one of the top 5 "starry night highway driving" songs, hands down. and to top it all off, as if this album needed it, "scientists" purges all the guitar angst of the space-age life and leaves you breathless and desparate to listen to it all again.buy this album. it is head and shoulders above all but a select few records EVER. it stands as hum's defining and most mature effort."

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	Hum Downward Is Heavenward Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rock Track Listings (10) - Disc #1 Isle of the Cheetah Comin' Home If You Are to Bloom Ms. Lazarus Afternoon with the Axolotis Green to Me Dreamboat The Inuit Promise Apollo The Scientists
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