Downward Is Heavenward

Downward Is Heavenward is the fourth studio album by the Champaign, Illinois post-hardcore band Hum.

Downward Is Heavenward
Studio album by Hum
Released	January 27, 1998
Recorded	1997
Studio	Pogo Studio, Champaign, Illinois
Genre	Post-hardcore, space rock, shoegazing, alternative metal
Length	52:04
Language	English
Label	RCA
Producer	Mark Rubel, Hum
Hum chronology
You'd Prefer an Astronaut (1995) Downward Is Heavenward (1998) Inlet (2020)
Singles from Downward Is Heavenward
"Comin' Home" Released: January 1998 "Green to Me" Released: 1998

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
The A.V. Club	A−[2]
Pitchfork Media	8.3/10[3]
Punknews.org	[4]
Ultimate Guitar Archive	9/10[5]

Release

Downward Is Heavenward was recorded in 1997, and first released on January 27, 1998 by RCA Records. Some websites such as AllMusic list it as being a 1997 album rather than a 1998 album,[1] presumably because all versions of the album bear a 1997 copyright date.

Reception

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."[3] 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 1990s.[6]

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" – 3:56
7. "Dreamboat" – 6:07
8. "The Inuit Promise" – 6:07
9. "Apollo" – 5:47
10. "The Scientists" – 5:26

Bonus single (received by fans who pre-ordered the album)

1. "Puppets" – 4:11
2. "Aphids" – 6:08

2018 vinyl release bonus tracks

11. "Puppets" – 4:11
12. "Aphids" – 6:08
13. "Boy with Stick" – 5:42

Personnel

Hum

• Jeff Dimpsey – bass guitar
• Tim Lash – guitar
• Bryan St. Pere – drums
• Matt Talbott – guitar, vocals

Additional personnel

• Mark Rubel – production

References

1. Ragget, Ned. "Downward is Heavenward — Hum". Allmusic. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
2. Thompson, Stephen (29 March 2002). "Hum: Downward Is Heavenward". Retrieved 17 March 2012.
3. DiCrescenzo, Brent (1 February 1998). "Hum: Downward Is Heavenward". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on 6 March 2007. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
4. Williams, Mark (28 April 2001). "Hum - Downward Is Heavenward". Retrieved 17 March 2012.
5. "Downward Is Heavenward Review". 22 March 2010. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
6. "Pitchfork's Top 100". Archived from the original on 2006-08-06. Retrieved 4 October 2011.