REVIEW: Downset, Downset (Mercury)

- P. Nina Ramos

Downset have been compared to Jane's Addiction and Rage Against the Machine in as close to the same breath as anyone can come to in those two extremes. What do I think? My favorable bias begins with the statement inside the jewel case. It says, "1 out of every 3 women will be raped in their lifetime. STOP SEXUAL VIOLENCE NOW!" That men would be that vocal concerning such an issue is commendable. But that these men should happen to be Latinos is amazing to me. Being a Puerto Rican myself, that is not a stance I often encounter.

On to the music. Hardcore has always been a great stomping ground for making your mark. There's something about releasing rage through music that is downright liberating. It seems Downset agrees with me here. When I first listened to the CD it felt like it did eight years ago at City Gardens, a punk club in Trenton, New Jersey. Any one of the current popular hard core bands could've been playing. Government Issue or Gorilla Biscuits would pack the place to the brim. 7 Seconds, Circle Jerks...where did they get Jane's Addiction out of Downset? Sure, there's message in all their music but Downset definitely stand apart.

I can't say that Downset has created any new sounds or that how they present themselves is that different from any other angry young man band. But what I can say is that they're the most honest band out there.