Customer Reviews

Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow

5 star:		(67)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Down's debut album, 1995's "NOLA" was a true masterpiece that took seven years to follow up. Now Phil Anselmo (Pantera), Pepper Keenan (C.O.C.), Jimmy Bower (C.O.C. and Eyehategod), Kirk Windstein (Crowbar), and Rex Brown (Pantera, replacing Todd Strange) return with Down's highly anticipated sophmore effort. First off, if you've listened to "NOLA" countless times like I have, you'll realize that the new album isn't as good but has a different vibe to it, and that is a rather good thing. I love "A Bustle in Your Hedgerow", everything about it is so great. As on the first album, Phil sounds a lot different, you hear that he can actually sing instead of the screaming he's famous for in Pantera, and Rex is one of the best bassists around today, and he shines on "Lies, I Don't Know What They Say But..." as does Jimmy Bower on "Lysergik Funeral Procession", and Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein are a great guitar combination. Phil's wife Stephanie Opal lends some her vocal talents to album closer "Landing on the Mountains of Meggido" which sends the album off with a bang (check out her band Southern Isolation which even has Phil on guitar). Other standout tracks include the southern fried "Stained Glass Cross", "Ghosts Along the Mississippi", "Learn From This Mistake", "Beautifully Depressed", and "The Seed". If you are a fan of Pantera or Corrosion of Conformity and have never had the chance to listen to the first Down album, I suggest picking up both Down albums for a fine real hard rock/heavy metal experience. I can't wait to see them on OzzFest, they're the only reason I'm going in the first place.

I'm a child of the South myself, so this has nostalgic value. These days, on humid summer evenings, it's nice to take this out to the front porch along with a six-pack and reminisce of the good old days as a kid in Texas. Nostalgia and childhood memories aside, Down II does evoke feelings of bayou culture, swamps, smoked salmon, po' boys, and a certain leafy substance whose name escapes me now. Light years beyond NOLA, in musicianship, diversity, and lyrics. Although NOLA had some amazing gems like "Rehab," and "Stone The Crow," Down II is the better album in my opinion. The whole album is a 70's-meets album. Imagine Deep Purple mixed with Skynyrd, and toss in some Sabbath-style sludge for good measure. That's the sound of the album. Even the title is a reference to Zeppelin's "Stairway To Heaven."

I'm done rambling. Down to business. After six long years, the who's-who of metal decided to get back together, bringing Rex on to replace the previous bassist. Phil, Pepper, Kirk, Jimmy Bower--the whole gang, and new producer Warren Riker, all headed into an old barn on Phil's vast property down in Louisiana called 'Nosferatu's Lair.' They spent 28 days with rented equipment, some weird 60's porn, and plenty o' the leaf, and cranked out this mofo.

"Lysergik Funeral Procession" kicks the album off with a 70's metal bang and a memorable riff to boot. The production is a lot less 'metal' this time, and more 'hard rock,' with plenty of other quirky musical effects, from a Hammond B3 to a 1930's steel guitar. Blues and country are further explored, evidenced by amazing songs like "Where I'm Going," and "Stained Glass Cross." A weird interlude and a drum n' bass jam, and well as a few folksy/bluesy jams are also tossed into the mix. Phil sings through 96% of this album, and it's great to hear his clean voice instead of the cat-in-blender thing we get with Superjoint Ritual and Pantera. Pepper tosses in a backup vocal here and there as well. The metallic numbers are still rockin'. "Dog Tired" and "New Orleans" are two good examples.

My fave cut would have to be "Ghosts Along The Mississippi," just for the title, and the song happens to be amazing as a plus, with a sick tempo change at the end and great solo. There's plenty on here to like, mind you. It's over an hour of tripped out music, and I love it. Most fans were let down, but I find it much superior to NOLA, and reckon folks should get this one first to partake in the glory before moving on to NOLA.

Shout it with me now: "Perfection of the Seed!"

Those familiar with Down's epic first album NOLA will undoubtedly find a great deal to like on its followup, "A Bustle in Your Hedgerow." The band's trademark sludgy Southern-style riffs and thick grooves are present on old-school metal tracks like the monstrous opener "Lysergik Funeral Procession," "New Orleans is a Dying Whore," and "Dog Tired." The abrasive grind of the guitars give the band immense potency on these hard-hitting tracks. However, beyond the expected nods to Black Sabbath, the band also shows some signs of branching out. "Stained Glass Cross" has a somewhat funky sound, and "Learn from this Mistake" and "Where I'm Going" slow things down almost to the point of a dirge, with some rather mournful vocals from Phil Anselmo. Phil is his usual excellent self, with vocals going all over the map from plaintive singing to rousing shouts, and the band behind is in fine form once again. I don't like this album quite as much as its legendary predecessor, but it's still more than worth your time and money.

I've honestly been praying to hear from Down again since the first time I heard "NOLA." When I found out "II" was finally coming out I was exstatic. When I first popped the new album in I was shocked. I had heard nothing in the media as far as the content on this cd, so I was expecting it to be similar to NOLA. Was I ever wrong! This cd has less of the Pantera style Metal feel to it and more of a Led Zep/Skynyrd rock feel. It has its heavy points (The Man That Follows Hell, Stained Glass Cross, New Orleans is a Dying Whore), but it also reveals a melodic side (Learn From This Mistake, Landing on the Mountains of Meggido). It is nearly impossible to pick a favorite song on this cd, personally I would give the nod to either Stained Glass Cross, Beautifully Depressed or New Orleans is a Dying Whore. This could possbly be a ground breaking album, because it is true to form you don't hear any hip hop elements like most metal acts you hear today. Phil catches you off guard with his singing ability, and Pepper and Kirk pound out riff after riff of amazing guitar play. Rex and Jimmy deliver the low end swampy feeling needed to make this cd what it is. I haven't been able to stop listening to this cd for a week now and that doesn't bother me a bit. A+ job from an A+ band.

I'll just start out this review by saying that n.o.l.a. is probably my favorite album of all time, along with koRn's 1st album and bloody kisses. I had a feeling DOWN's new record would be a bit dissapointing and for the most part, I was right. Of course it would be nearly impossible to make a record that sounded as good as nola did. For the most part DOWN II is a shadow of what nola was. There's only a few songs on this album that could hold their own against nola. The high points of the album are "Theres Something One My Side", "Ghost Along the Mississippi", "Where I'm Going", "New Orleans is a Dying Whore", "The Seed", and "Landing on the Mountains of Meggido". As for the rest of the album, its best described as southern blues rock, which is decent to chill to, but i think DOWN could do a hellava lot better. Real DOWN is "Bury Me in Smoke", "Rebab", "Jail", etc. You won't find anything like that on this record. Overall the album isn't very heavy at all, and Phil rarely screams. On a positive note however, this is an important record to remind us of what "real rock" is, when bands like Linkin Park are dominating the charts, which is very sad. Give DOWN credit for putting out an original piece of work. But overall, after listening to nola over 50,000 times, DOWN II pales in comparison.

What can I say about Down II? It's ok. It doesn't come close to the intensity or punchy agressiveness of Nola in any way. It's more of a southern rock feel on most of the songs. It's not terrible, but if you bought it (like I did) expecting more of the electricity of their first album, you'll likely be a bit disappointed.

Still, there are some great songs on the album. It's got a good feel and some solid songwriting. It's just not the jewel that their first one was.

Overall - If you're a big fan of the band, get it. If you're a big fan of the first album, probably oughta borrow it from a buddy first and hear what you're getting before you drop the coin on it.

I was so excited when I heard that a new Down was coming out, however, that excitement set me up for a letdown. The album is good, it has the heavy sabbath-esque riffs you expect, and Phil is a good metal vocalist. Its just that nothing really blew me away like the first Down. In fact, I found myself getting bored with it after a while. There are decent songs on here, just not enough of them stand out. It is worth owning for Down fans, however, don't expect it to blow the NOLA release away.

I think Nola is one of the greatest heavy metal albums ever and I too was anticipating the next album. I wish they waited 7 years more because this one was really disappointing. First off, the production really [stinks] compared to the first one. Someone said in one of the reviews that the drums were too loud. I disagree, I think they weren't loud enough! The other person probably had that opinion because the guitars sounded bad as well. Vocals weren't as great either. The production wouldn't have been much of an issue if the songs were better as well.

Who knows I remember that I didn't like the first one when I first heard it either. Maybe in time it will grow on me. I've only listened to it twice since I got it (like two months ago). I hope the next one is better and doesn't take so long to put out.

Side note: I saw them live just last week and they did rock although Phil Anselimo was zonked out of his mind. I wish he could have been sober but they were still great.

Okay metal freaks, you can breathe now! I think far to many of you have been holding your breath far to long for this damn record. Okay, exhale! Down returns with a winner. When you listen to this record you would swear Phil, Pepper and the boys took these songs from their first studio session for "Nola". The production is the same as "Nola", and the band sounds like...well...Down! So here is the suggestion I got for you! Roll the bud, break out the JD and as Pepper puts it "Sabb Out" to 15 tracks of sludge and a southern way of thinking.....if you catch my drift!

The very first lick of "Lysergik Funeral Procession" will be heaven for herbing Down fan. What is different this time is Phil starts off doing that low end speaking voice that he has used on recent Pantera records. But fear not, the southern fried grubby sound kicks into high gear. Phil defiantly bellows " I get up...to face this world". The band from there jams, and Phil mouths off about being mad...in fact so ...mad...and then the band carries you out. Yeah...you could say Down is back!

"The Man That Follows Hell" has some of the best guitar work of the record. Fuzzy and just dirty the licks supply the mood for Phil who screams and barks his way through a track that has some parts that remind me of Clutch! The whirling licks make the track, and there is guitar solo that kind of goes off on it's own path, only to go high and let the whammy bar slam! Some sick harmonics follow as Phil smokes...and lets the band jam, jam and ...jam some more! How's that cloud of smoke coming?

"Stained Glass Cross" is the most creative song Down has ever written. Pepper sings to start, and an organ accompanies him. The tone is more light hearted, but don't worry, it is still jam happy, only the organ creates a different feel. Again I can't help to think of Clutch in the guitar work. And the chorus.....it is catchy as hell! Phil sings! He ain't done that to often. Different track! I could see this song buzzing on the airwaves! And be sure to check out yet again the guitar solo's!

Load up your pipe and light it. "Learn From The Mistake" is mellow...There is an occasion musical flare up, but for the most part this is a tune that will make fans of Pink Floyd stand up and take notice. Phil shows his softer side as he mumbles through the track. Forget what he is talking about...there is no point. This is one of those songs where you let the mood become you! Or the leaf...your choice my brothers!

`Where I'm Going" has a banjo in the beginning. All I can think of is a video showing a gas station in the hot south! A fat guy is sleeping in his chair with grease all over his overalls, and about 15 beer cans surround the man. And that is it...the whole video is just that one laid back moment with an occasional bird flying over head? Do you know where I'm going with this? Just listen, and I'll shut up now! Just know it is mellow, and I never thought I'd hear Phil sing to a banjo and like it!

Where's the beef? On "New Orleans Is A Dying Whore". All the meat and potatoes you can eat. Heavy...guitars drive this track. Phil snarls while the band builds momentum and lets go of the urge to jam like only a bunch of self proclaimed rednecks could. Killer guitars...killer!

"The Seed" is just brutal...nuff said!

What is lacking on "II"? Not much! It has the same sound production wise as the first record. The jam sessions are just as mesmerizing, but the songs lack the hard edge of the first record. Maybe this was done on purpose, or maybe they are just getting old. Either way you dudes will like it. There is no other band out there that can make you want to have a barbeque and drink beer with friends the way Down does. Eat and smoke this...up!

Why are the back up vocals overdubbing phil on phil while pepper is a great singer. Plus the first album had a much more bluesy, southern rock style that I think made it great. This album is for the most part dark and gloomy and depressing. Hell, darkness and pain are all played out metal themes. Nola could be put in from beginning to end but I guess that was a different time and I was a different person.