Downward Is Heavenward

Downward Is Heavenward
Studio album by Hum
Released January 27, 1998 (1998-01-27)
Recorded 1997, Champaign, Illinois, United States
Genre Post-hardcore, space rock, alternative rock
Length 51:58
Language English
Label RCA
Producer Mark Rubel, Hum
Hum chronology
You'd Prefer an Astronaut
(1995)		 Downward Is Heavenward
(1998)
Singles from Downward Is Heavenward
  1. "Comin' Home"
    Released: 1998 (1998)
  2. "Green to Me"
    Released: 1998 (1998)

Downward Is Heavenward is the fourth and last studio album by the Champaign, Illinois post-hardcore band Hum. It was released on January 27, 1998 by RCA Records.

Contents

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [1]
Pitchfork Media 8.3/10[2]

Despite selling fewer copies than its predecessor You'd Prefer an Astronaut, the album was critically acclaimed. Brent DiCrescenzo from Pitchfork Media praised the abrasive but graceful nature of the album, writing, "A listen to Downward Is Heavenward actually scrubs off a layer of skin, yet Hum still manage to infuse grace and control into their skyward swirl."[2] Ned Ragget from Allmusic wrote, "Having scored their fluke hit with 'Stars', Hum hunkered down and created a follow-up album that went nowhere, leading to the band's splintering. An unfortunate result all around, because, arguably, Downward Is Heavenward isn't merely the group's best album, but a lost classic of '90s rock, period."[1] In 1999, Pitchfork Media placed the album at #81 on their top 100 albums of the 90's.[3]

Track listing

  1. "Isle of the Cheetah" – 6:38
  2. "Comin' Home" – 2:45
  3. "If You Are to Bloom" – 5:11
  4. "Ms. Lazarus" – 3:38
  5. "Afternoon with the Axolotls" – 6:27
  6. "Green to Me" – 3:55
  7. "Dreamboat" – 6:06
  8. "The Inuit Promise" – 6:06
  9. "Apollo" – 5:47
  10. "The Scientists" – 5:25
Bonus single
  1. "Puppets" – 4:11
  2. "Aphids" – 6:08

Personnel

References

  1. ^ a b Ragget, Ned. "Downward is Heavenward — Hum". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/album/downward-is-heavenward-r333002. Retrieved 4 October 2011. 
  2. ^ a b DiCrescenzo, Brent (01 February 01 1998). "Hum: Downward Is Heavenward". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on 6 March 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070306215143/http://pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/18578/Hum_Downward_Is_Heavenward. Retrieved 4 October 2011. 
  3. ^ "Pitchfork's Top 100". Archived from the original on 2000. http://tclub.obninsk.ru/psb/pitchforkmedia.html. Retrieved 4 October 2011. 
Hum
Matt Talbott • Jeff Dimpsey • Tim Lash • Bryan St. Pere
Andy Switzky · Baltie de Lay · Rod van Huis · Joe Futrelle · Akis Boyatzis · Jeff Kropp
Albums
Fillet Show · Electra 2000 · You'd Prefer an Astronaut · Downward Is Heavenward
Singles
Tribute albums
Related bands