Track Listings (11) - Disc #1| All Artists: Downset Title: Universal Members Wishing: 1 Total Copies: 0 Label: Liquid 8 Release Date: 6/1/2004 Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop, Rock, Metal Styles: Hardcore & Punk, Pop Rap, Alternative Metal Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPCs: 820041217225, 635961017424 |
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Search - Downset :: Universal
 | Downset Universal Genres: Alternative Rock, Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop, Rock, Metal
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CD ReviewsDownset's back! A. Heuer | Hamden, KS USA | 06/03/2004 (5 out of 5 stars) "OK, only one review up so far and it's negative. I gotta disagree. Downset is back with a vengeance on this disc. Musically, it's a companion to their first disc, with a bit more melody, especially in the "shout-'em-with-me" choruses. But it's heavy, and the less-polished production serves the band well. Downset is not a we're-gonna-impress-you-with-our-studio-tricks kind of band; they are raw, intense, and rejuvinated on this disc. Lyrically, Rey focuses less on writing manifestos against issues like racism and violence toward women, and more on personal issues like survival, reaching out to others, and staying in the game. But this is a vocalist who continues to share his message - and his heart - without compromise. Thank you Downset (and Hawino Records) for staying true to your original vision. Here's hopeing disc 5 follows sooner rather than later." Negative but Logical setstyle | USA | 07/17/2004 (3 out of 5 stars) "With their latest release, Universal, downset has discarded what made them a unique band that received my enjoyment.1. downset (1994) -- Their debut CD contained fast-paced in-your-face political lyrical action with mostly mediore music lines.2. Do We Speak a Dead Language? (1996) -- With this release, downset developed their music, including catchier bass lines. The vocals became tied to the music more instead of being mere rap.3. Check Your People (2000) -- In 2000 downset utilized heavy musical action supplemented by strong vocals and minor repetition.4. Universal (2004) -- Most recently, they put out some catchy slap bass and average guitar riffs with shorter weakened lyrics. The songs follow a trend of painful repetition.As you can see, I feel that downset reached a high point in 2000 with Check Your People, combining the lyrical punch of their self-titled release and the musical advances of Do We Speak a Dead Language? Naturally, I was disappointed to see the waver in Universal. I personally prefer the unintelligible jumble of political ramblings that made downset lyrics stand out from others and the music that went with the vocals perfectly." True to it's roots... JRM | Corvallis, OR USA | 06/27/2004 (4 out of 5 stars) "Downset has successfully shaken off the majority of thier rap-rock skin of the past and have really come into thier own. Now, I say most of it, because you can still tell it's the same guys who put out "Do We Speak A Dead Language". "Check Your People" is admittedly one of my favorites, so for me "Universal" has proven both a regression and evolution. Regression meaning the sound quality is beavier, but very stripped-down much like Sepultura's "Roorback". What do I mean by evolution? Well, to the casual listener it may sound like more of the same at first. But much like Fear Factory's latest, it takes a while to sink in. Universal's overall sound is distinctly Downset: Booming bass, cohesive-yet-basic heavy metal riffs, thick n' moshing hardcore breaks, and the ever-screaming Rey. I'd recommend this to fans of "Check Your People" who are looking for a step in a similar sonic direction. "Universal" is much more centered on the feel of the riffs and the feel of the vocals, rather than the message and the complexity of the music. The feel is quite pained and menacing throughout, much more hardcore-metal than rap.Highly recommended for all Downset fans, old and new. I gave it four stars because unlike "Check Your People" I have no desire to listen to this CD every day, especially on a hot summer day when I'm bouncing off the walls. Maybe if I had air conditioning this would get a higher rating, but at my brain it is grating."
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