Take Time For ‘Downward’

Sun., Jan. 25, 1998

By Winda Benedetti windab@spokesman.com

Hum

“Downward is Heavenward” (RCA)***

Listening for the first time to Hum’s fourth full-length album (second for RCA) requires a bit of patience. Swooping melodies careen through crushing riffs and shards of dissonance, landing the listener in the depths of some sonic neverland the ears can’t … quite … plumb. But take time to soak in this Illinois quartet’s work. At its core, this is soaring pop rock, layered thick with fuzzed guitar and competing harmonies.

At times, singer Matt Talbott’s voice seems almost too simple and pretty for the setting, until you realize it’s the perfect counterpoint to the maelstrom around him.

“Downward is Heavenward” can’t seem to decide whether to be in your face or at a quiet distance. As it turns out, both are just fine.

, DataTimes

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