Superunknown
was a breakthrough in many ways. Not only did the album bring
Soundgarden
a new audience, it dramatically expanded their vision, as well as their accomplishments. If
Down on the Upside
initially seems a retreat from the grand, layered textures of
, let it sink in. The sound of
is certainly more immediate, but the band hasn't returned to the monstrous, unfocused wailing of
Louder Than Love
. Instead, they've retained their ambitious song structures,
neo-psychedelic
guitar textures, and winding melodies but haven't dressed them up with detailed production. Consequently,
is visceral as well as cerebral --
"Rhinosaur"
goes for the gut, while
"Pretty Noose"
is updated, muscular
prog rock
.
is a deceptive album -- it might seem like nothing more than
heavy metal
, but a closer listen reveals that
haven't tempered their ambitions at all. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine