Artist: Down
Label: Elektra Records
Release Date: 3/26/02
|
|
Title: Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow Artist: Down Label: Elektra Records Release Date: 3/26/02 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
|
4 | ||
|
5 | ||
|
5 | ||
|
|
Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
Yeah, yeah, I know. We've been waiting for this one for a long time. I almost find it hard to review this album because the anticipation has been so high. I was hoping for a follow up about a year after NOLA came out, and I had no idea I'd end up waiting for over seven years!
"I almost find it hard to review this album because the anticipation has been so high." Well the time has finally come as Phil & Co. have finally delivered. Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow has all of the southern swagger and doom and gloom you have been waiting for, and it's easy to declare this one a success right off the bat. The harder question becomes, how much of a success is it? Has their sound expanded in the last seven years? Do we even want it to expand? I think most of us who enjoyed their first effort would say no. Down remain a loose knit band that get together every once in awhile to crank out some tunes.
Their mid-paced style of doom metal remains intact, and Phil uses the laid back atmosphere to attempt some of the more soulful vocals of his career. Fans will be happy to know that the band shoved a lot of material onto this disk, and it's all up to snuff, even if there's no individual track that lives up to "Bury Me in Smoke". And I guess that's my biggest problem with this album. I was so blindsided at the first one that it seemed new and unique. Since I pretty much knew what to expect this time around, I am unable to get as excited as I was for the last album.
"While there are many more good songs on this record, I'm not thinking of it when I'm not listening to it, which I find disappointing." There are some really great songs on this album, however, "There's Something on My Side" and "Stained Glass Cross" combine melody and riff and emotion that is a wonder to behold. But while there are many more good songs on this record, I'm not thinking of it when I'm not listening to it, which I find disappointing. But for the less schizophrenic listeners out there, there is very little to be upset with here.
This is a great album, if not amazing, and I've spent the past few days trying to figure out if this was going to get a 3 or 4 rating because neither of them seemed to fit. I chose the 4 rating because I didn't even find my own arguments against this album all that convincing. So I just have a little bit of advice: if you didn't like this band before, you certainly aren't going to change your mind, but if you're a fan then make like Denny Terrio and get Down!
Death's Review:
The new Down album kicks serious ass. I fucking love it. First, hearing Anselmo actually sing again (as opposed to scream) and even hit the occasional high note is reason enough to own this album. Second, the style has evolved from the first record but surely hasn't changed, ending up as killer combo of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin (thus the title?), Pink Floyd, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and of course, Pantera, C.O.C., Crowbar and Eyehategod. Third, the songwriting is excellent. I can really get into these songs. Tracks like the opener, "Lysergik Funeral Procession," have me banging my head and screaming lyrics like "I'm so damn mad. So fucking mad!" at the top of my lungs. Other favorites include the catchy as hell "Beautifully Depressed" (I fucking could smash every breakable object in the house if I let my wild instincts take control when the "Push me to the limit. I ain't afraid to die" part comes on!), the heavy, Sabbathy "There's Something on My Side" (the last half of the tune reminds of something off of Sabbotage or Sabbath Bloody Sabbath), the fucking brutal and strikingly titled "New Orleans is a Dying Whore," and the wildly trippy and brilliantly erratic closer "Landing on the Mountains of Meggido" (although you're almost BEGGING for this song to come in heavy, and they surely missed an opportunity to turn this into an all-time great track by failing to do so - check out Phil's warbly voice on the "This is what wars are made of!" part - I love it).
"I fucking love it."
Down II has more classic moments on it than the last couple Pantera and C.O.C. albums combined (and that is saying something as I am a fan of both bands and especially liked the last Pantera record). Sure, it's definitely as much a "classic rock" album than it is metal, but, like the last one, there is a strong doom/stoner influence as well. This is a really great album, rising to a level of originality (sounding fresh, even as it evokes the classic rock greats) and integrity that most music never comes close to. Time will tell, but this may one day be remembered as an all-time classic.
"This is a really great album, rising to a level of originality and integrity that most music never comes close to."
Hel's Review:
Favorite Track: "Beautifully Depressed"Here's the history: I got NOLA as soon as it came out, way back when. At the time, I was a fan of both Corrosion of Conformity and Pantera, and I certainly couldn't think of a reason not to buy it. I was blown away by what I heard. Upon listening to the long-awaited follow up, I realized that what was true back then remains true today: Down resembles C.O.C. far more than they resemble Pantera.
So I've been listening to Down II for a few days now. I've been enjoying it, but as I was considering how to approach my review, I found I could not really draw any comparisons since "Stone the Crow" was the only song I could clearly recall. This made me go back and sample NOLA for the first time in ages. The result of this exercise was a startling conclusion: I may like the new record better!
"It seems to me that this album finds the band settling into more of a groove."
It seems to me that this album finds the band settling into more of a groove. They've done this once already, and it's likely that each of the band members came back to the project with specific memories of why playing in this band was special for them, and that probably played into the predominate style that emerged. Part homage to Sabbath, part stoner doom, Down is a beautifully dark and gloomy journey through the swamp.
"The entire album is infectious." Phil's vocal performance seems particularly inspired. His voice is clear, strong and sure. Melody is a strong aspect of this record as a whole, and this is especially true for Phil's vocals. The entire album is infectious. Now some people may pooh-pooh this record because it is on a major, and theyill point to Phil and mutter about Pantera - for them, I will reiterate and make my point clearer all at the same time: Down bears almost no resemblance to Pantera whatsoever. The album is good in the same way the last one was good. If you liked NOLA, I can't imagine why you wouldnit like this one. I do.
[- Metal Judgment Home -] [- Email Metal Judgment -]
©1999 Metal Judgment. All rights reserved.