Soundgarden – Down On The Upside

Soundgarden was an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil and bassist Hiro Yamamoto. Matt Cameron became the band’s full-time drummer in 1986, while bassist Ben Shepherd became a permanent replacement for Yamamoto in 1990. Soundgarden was one of the seminal creators of grunge, mixing elements of punk rock and metal to make a sludgy, murky sound through the use of fuzzy-sounding distortion in the guitars. They were the first of a number of grunge bands to sign to the record label Sub Pop, and Kurt Cobain being a fan was influenced by them to sign Nirvana with the label. Cobain also stated that Soundgarden was one of the only Seattle bands that he liked along with Tad and Mudhoney. Alice in Chains guitarist and vocalist, Jerry Cantrell also stated that Soundgarden was a big influence on his band. The band has been praised for its technical musical ability, and the expansion of its sound as the band’s career progressed. “Heavy yet ethereal, powerful yet always-in-control, Soundgarden’s music was a study in contrasts,” said critic Henry Wilson, proclaiming the band’s music as “a brilliant display of technical proficiency tempered by heart-felt emotion”. Down on the Upside is their fifth studio album, released on May 1996. Self-produced by the band, the music on the album was notably less heavy and dark than the group’s preceding albums and featured the band experimenting with other sounds. Down on the Upside would end up becoming Soundgarden’s final studio album for sixteen years as tensions within the band led to its break-up in April 1997.

180 gram Audiophile Vinyl
Remastered from Original Analog Tapes
Includes Download Card
Label: A&M Records
Cat. # 00602547924469