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Re: Evo Album of the Week: Soundgarden- Down on the Upside
1. Pretty Noose
2. Rhinosaur
3. Zero Chance
4. Dusty
5. Ty Cobb
6. Blow Up the Outside World
7. Burden in My Hand
8. Never Named
9. Applebite
10. Never the Machine Forever
11. Tighter & Tighter
12. No Attention
13. Switch Opens
14. Overfloater
15. An Unkind
16. Boot Camp
Recorded November 1995 '“ February 1996
Released May 21, 1996
A & M Records
Re: Evo Album of the Week: Soundgarden- Down on the Upside
Well, I think we all know my opinion on this record. 
Consider half of it to be approaching filler territory while the other half is some of the best music ever recorded. There are very few songs in existence better than Overfloater. Applebite is amazing musically but definitely sounds unfinished from a lyrical standpoint.
While the whole band kicks ass, Shepherd is just on a different level on this. His bass tone is probably the best I've ever heard ANY bass, and his songwriting skills(Switch Opens, An Unkind, Ty Cobb) are untouchable. I actually wish he had done lead vocals on one of those tracks, preferably Switch Opens.
The only Thayil track(Never the Machine Forever) one of the highlights, and is actually the last track they recorded for the album. Makes you wonder how it might have turned out had he been let loose for a couple more months instead of wrapping things up so quickly.
I know there's a few people here that still haven't heard this.
I think it's time....
Re: Evo Album of the Week: Soundgarden- Down on the Upside
I loved Superunknown to no end but could never get into this one. Honestly, almost 15 years later, I can only remember the "hits."
Same here. Two years ago, I "rediscovered" this record. It was like getting to hear a new Soundgarden album. Was immediately blown away by several of the deep cuts, and have listened to the album regularly since.
You should give it a fresh listen.
Re: Evo Album of the Week: Soundgarden- Down on the Upside
I have to disagree James that half the album is near filler quality. It may have taken a while to set in for me, but there are only a couple songs I would rank in that category. The album starts with this amazing guitar line and it just doesn't let up any intensity until it's done.
That's one of the things I admire about Soundgarden the most. They can take a softer song like Zero Chance and Overfloater and still put so much intensity behind it. Usually bands release albums and the faster songs have all the intensity and then you get to the slower ones and it just falls flat. Soundgarden, no matter what they do, they bring such energy and life into the music, it just blows me away. It's something that is seen far too little, especially into today's realm of music.
This album above all else gets me excited to see what Soundgarden could do in the studio. I'd like to see the natural progression they take after this one.
Off this album my least favorite songs are Never Named, Applebite (amazing musically but lacking lyrically) an An Unkind. Everything else I love.
This however is one of those albums that I listen to straight through.
- metallex78
- Rep: 194
Re: Evo Album of the Week: Soundgarden- Down on the Upside
I bought it when it first came out back in the day, but regrettably sold it a few years later when I needed some cash. If someone would pm a copy to download, I'll gladly give it another listen. Superunknown still blows me away, but I wasn't as impressed with this album when it was released.
Re: Evo Album of the Week: Soundgarden- Down on the Upside
I have to disagree James that half the album is near filler quality. It may have taken a while to set in for me, but there are only a couple songs I would rank in that category.
Masterpieces:
Applebite
Never the Machine Forever
Switch Opens
Overfloater
An Unkind
Boot Camp
Ty Cobb is killer, and out of the singles, Blow Up is probably the best. Listening to Dusty right now, and its not that bad. Kinda funny that Ben wrote this when he was a teen, wiped the cobwebs off it and let Cornell add his touch to it.
I can live without everything else on the record.
