Customer Reviews

Downer

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Downer broke up probably six months after this record was released. Although Aaron has tried to start other bands since (some involving Jed), as of last time I talked to Aaron (over a year ago) nothing had come together yet.

Sorry for the bad news folks.

Its 2004, and I just now listen to Downer's self titled CD. Im so damn mad at myself for falling asleep while great music drives on by. This CD is without a doubt the best 2001 CD purchased in 2004. J. Scott is one of the best singers of this genre for what reason(s) I dont know. He doesnt have a melodic voice, yet he doesnt scream.. but his vocals come across "heavy". Aaron Silberman is outstanding on guitar, Jed Hathaway rocks on bass, and Tracy Sledge is extremely good at tossin' 'em.

Over the last week, I've listened to this CD 4 times, and each time I like more and more of its little things that make up the whole picture. Other than being angry at myself, I have 2 complaints:
1. Where are they now? I can not find anything about Downer thats recent. Please dont tell me they went the same way as Ultraspank!
2. Who the hell was in a hurry on this CD..the band itself or the producer? Half of the songs border on punk speed. When I like a song as much as I like all of these songs, I hate to see them winding down or finishing at the 2:40 mark!!

I got hooked to the stylings of nu-metal rock only recently, thanks to Godsmack, and scored Downer on the account of their 30-second music clips on a music club's web catalog. I knew that what I was hearing was great rock music but I wasn't prepared for what I was about to hear when I got the CD. Thirty-second clips don't tell exactly how it is, BUT the minute I played the CD, my jaw just dropped to the floor. Downer music has got to be one of the most original sounding rock music I've heard in a long time, which is not short of groundbreaking. Downer, the CD, is beautiful melodically and downright heavy from beginning to end. Topnotch musicianship all the way here with monstrous riffs making every song a WALL OF SOUND. Nevermind if they are not trying to be metal because they are anyways.

The singer is great and can't be compared with a lot of the generic sounding nu-metal singers that are out there today. Not that they are bad but only because John Scott sounds different. Melodically, Downer gives me an '80s new wave feel while the vocals have that new wave spank while keeping it riff heavy from beginning to end. Nevermind if new wave music was opposed to everything we liked about heavy metal during the cold years but a lot of the new wave music then had great melodies to their songs. What is important is that these songs ROCK and rock HARDER. Yup, don't let what I had just written above fool you or discourage you in any way from buying this CD if it is still available because their music is DEFINITELY heavy. And, yup, the mix to Downer is clean, polished and loud, and I think that is what gives it its heaviness. Lyric-wise, the songs take you to darker passages.

The pace and tone of the CD is set by opener "Flex" through "Bi-Furious" and "Last Time", probably the CDs most identifiable track, but it is on tracks "Weed Eater", "Born Again", "Speed Teeth", "Punching Bag" and "Ventilation" that their monstrous, power riffs begin to groove. But the remaining songs are equally powerful with CD closer "Curbed" being one of my favorites along with "Punching Bag". It was not easy to choose a favorite song here, not even after I'd listened to the CD countless of times because they are all beautiful.

The Downer bio on the Roadrunner web says that Downer released it's first self-titled EP and subsequent full-length CD, Wrestling With Jesus in 1997 on the tiny Ammunition label. I checked on the Ammunition label site but no information is available. I think the web is under construction or something. Anyhow, I hope that anyone with information on Downer, whether it is about their previous recordings or current status will write a review here. Sadly, the last Roadrunner update on Downer dates back to 2001.

Get this CD, friends, and you won't regret it as I am still drooling over this CD. WOW! Truly amazing stuff is all I can say.

Ok fellas, and fella-esses... Get this damn CD, and get it NOW! Last Time, Bi-Curious, and Flex are the best songs I have heard since... since... a long bloody time ago!!

If you don't have this CD, and you like good quality listening, what are you waiting for ?

GET IT NOW!!!

This CD is not bad at all. I don't think that Downer is trying to be a metal band at all, rather, they are a pretty good rock band that carries and edge with it. I would much rather listen to Downer than any of the stuff on the radio. Don't get me wrong, they are no Slayer or Pantera, but they don't even try to sound heavy. I find the music melodic and refreshing after a hard day's worth of death and speed metal. Downer is true alternative, unique rock. Good stuff and worht a listen.

Every once in a great while a debue album comes along that catches everyone's attention. Albums like Opiate from TOOL and KORN'S self titled debue. While this album is not quite on the same level as those artists, there is a ton of fresh and original sounds on this offering from a band whom I had never heard of. Let's get down to it shall we?
THE GOOD: 1) SOUND. Yup, this one has what it takes to make a huge impact in the music industry. There is no washed up back beats or burned out cliche lyrics here, only good and original stuff from these guys. 2) POLISHING. Whether it took an extra few months in the studio or the production staff took their time with this one, each track is nice and clean. There is no unnecessary distortion or useless garbage that seems to clutter up so many new releases out today. 3) GUITAR AND DRUMS. I find it hard to believe that these guys are new, there sound is that good. This just goes to show how much of a role good band chemistry goes play in the success equation.
THE BAD: 1) LEAD SINGER. While the rest of the band is very advandced, John Scott needs to grow some. Just as with any successful band the vocals need to catch up with the guitar playing. Look for this to happen on their next offering. 2) SOUND. While it is very polished, there are times when it can become repetative. For example, I can listen to any TOOL album 100's of times in a row and still hear new things and groove to the sound. These guys do not have that same listening power, but then again not many bands do.
THE BOTTOM LINE: I first heard about these guys when I went to a club show in LA. I recieved a demo from a friend and I could not put it down. Now that their first album came out, I have not stoped listening to it. Run out and buy this one friends, you will not be sorry. This album is a MUST HAVE album for any collection that does not include Kenny G or Michael Boulton.

But why pimp this title Irish? The band broke up mere months after the album was released! How good could it be??

As a fluke, I originally picked up this CD a few months ago in a thrift store. On the first listen, was blown away how heavy this album is - how good it sounded - how the vocals resonated - the lyrics.... Yea, it is that good. Highly recommended to the fellow rock/hard rock/metal fans.

I bought this used cd for a penny and it's worth way more than that. The product looks brand new and plays perfectly. I am very pleased with this purchase.

Only thing I can compare this cd to, is Tool's Opiate. Similiar kind of sound.. awesome.

I first heard one of they'r songs on "search for the holey trail", liked it and decided to buy the cd.
VERY VERY good band.
My personal favorite song ins "last time"
its worth the money all songs are good