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THE REVIEW
1996: what was once defined as grunge no longer exists. Or rather, it still exists, but less so: there are a few remnants left, and even those have now changed direction, with different intentions. "Down On The Upside" reflects all of this, acting as the finale of both the most intense season of the decade and one of the bands that best represented it, Soundgarden.
Fresh off the worldwide success of "Superunknown", and on the verge of breaking up due to internal disagreements, the band delivers an album that is absolutely not essential but certainly dignified, where the melodic vein of the previous work is further explored, often with even better results: above all the wonderful "Switch Opens", a masterpiece from the album suspended in an airy and warm atmosphere; just as warm are the grand opening "Pretty Noose", the repetitive and oriental-flavored "Dusty", and the ironic "Burden In My Hand".
To keep the aggression of the band's early works alive, there's the overwhelming "Never The Machine Forever" (written solely by Kim Thayil; he often found himself arguing with Cornell, who insisted on leaving the metal harshness behind to make way for softer, more melodic work), the defiant "Ty Cobb", which even features a mandolin (!), the fast-paced "An Unkind", and especially the excellent "No Attention", which midway through slows its tempo to grow in intensity: a definitely appreciated insight. Accompanying them are minor or decidedly unnecessary tracks like the very annoying "Applebite", the monotonous "Overfloater", and the bland "Bootcamp", as well as nice but non-essential tracks like "Rhinosaur" or "Tighter & Tighter".
The band did what they wanted, playing and "experimenting" (this term should be used cautiously), resulting in an album that is qualitatively uneven but overall acceptable as the concluding chapter of their artistic journey and probably of the entire Seattle scene.
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Summary by Bot
Soundgarden's 'Down On The Upside' serves as a reflective close to both the grunge era and the band's high point. Although not essential, the album explores melodic directions with standout tracks like 'Switch Opens' and 'Burden In My Hand.' Internal band conflicts influenced the mix of aggressive and melodic songs, resulting in uneven but overall dignified work. Some tracks feel unnecessary, but the record remains a notable finale.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Soundgarden
American rock band formed in Seattle in 1984, central to the 1990s grunge scene; best-known for albums such as Superunknown and Badmotorfinger and for Chris Cornell's distinctive voice.31 Reviews
Other reviews
By 3poundsoflove
Down on the Upside turns out to be far more substantial than critics had to say.
If you have loved this band, or the future evolutions of the good Cornell, you will easily admit to yourself that this is an album to bring, hidden from the eyes of the narrow-minded, to the deserted island.
By 47
"The sounds: these sounds are beautiful. Rich, polished, soft, they are the best possible attire for a multiform rock."
"Maybe take it out of the drawer, give it a listen. Perhaps like me you'll discover it with few wrinkles stiffening its features, which are still fresh and young."
By FabbioAW
‘Down On The Upside’ offers many points for reflection and had the potential to be Soundgarden’s magnum opus.
It is an album capable simultaneously of exhausting and elevating the mind.
By Ynamusic
The most splendid thing about the album is, in my opinion, Cornell’s voice, dazzling and gritty, complete with that bold attitude that made the most arrogant faces of rock envious.
Music also lends itself to being a particularly truthful mirror of our society, explaining it much more clearly than a newspaper snippet could do.
