APC’S ‘DESERT ISLAND ALBUM’
THE good old, ‘stranded on an island’ question.
So, I have one record to choose from? Hmmmm, almost anyone who likes music and art is going to struggle here, right?
This is hard for me; I like everything from Slayer to Curtis Mayfield. I know it has to be something that ROCKS, but is it metal, punk, shoegaze, post punk, hip-hop, metalcore? I went back and forth, through the 100’s and 100’s of albums that I can go on and on about.
In the end I landed on HUM’s ‘Downward is Heavenward,’ in my opinion maybe the best record ever made. This album can be slow, soft, fast, and rock hard as hell. It has a very unique outer space sound especially for 1998 when it was released.
‘Isle of the Cheetah’ is one of the best openers to an album and one of the best songs ever. This whole album from pillar to post is a masterpiece, and while it was considered a commercial failure it still has a cult following.
I think the lack of being a huge success with the masses is another charming thing about this album. It’s not an album you bring up and everyone knows, but when you meet someone who does it’s almost like you know you have a bit of a musical bond.
For many indie artists I like and get along with, when HUM comes – up especially ‘Downward is Heavenward’ – it’s one of those, “oh that album is so awesome, those guys ROCK so hard,” moments.
This band changed how I see music and how I wanted to create music. There is no bigger influence on my own work. Sometimes I feel like I’m just trying to jam punk, metal, and my feelings into this sound, or vice versa.
I was lucky enough to see HUM live in a smaller venue, and it’s one of the top three performances I’ve seen, and I’ve seen a lot.
If you haven’t ever listened to ‘Downward is Heavenward,’ I highly suggest you check it out!
