Downward Is Heavenward

Downward Is Heavenward
Studio album by Hum
Released	February 1998
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
"Comin' Home" Released: 1998 "Green to Me" Released: 1998

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

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

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

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.