Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow


Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow is the second studio album by American band Down, released on March 26, 2002. The subtitle "A Bustle in Your Hedgerow" is borrowed from the lyrics of "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin.

Background

Down II was the band's first album in seven years since the release of NOLA, the longest gap between their three studio albums to date. Being a supergroup, the band went on hiatus in 1996 so that members could focus on their main bands. Down reformed in 1999 with Pantera bassist Rex Brown replacing Todd Strange. The band wanted the album to have a "bluesy" feel, so they moved into Phil Anselmo's barn for the recording.
Also in 2002, the band recorded an acoustic version of "Stone the Crow" that was never officially released although it can be heard on YouTube.

Critical reception

Down II was not received as well as the band's debut release, NOLA. Blabbermouth reviewer Borivoj Krgin stated, "Down II appears to have been thrown together more haphazardly, with much of the material falling short of the standard set by Down's classic debut offering." However, UK critics were more enthusiastic, with Metal Hammer awarding the album 8/10 and Rock Sound declaring it "a storming experience from the depths" and rating it at 4/5. Despite its poor US reviews, the album debuted at number 44 on the Billboard 200.

Personnel

;Down
;Additional musicians
  • Stephanie Opal Weinstein – backing vocals on "Landing on the Mountains of Meggido"

Tour

To support the album, Down toured on the second stage of Ozzfest in 2002. They also scheduled an 18-date tour that began May 1 in New York and ended on May 25 in Dallas. After the December 1st show in Texas, the band once again entered an hiatus to focus on their respective bands until May 19, 2006.
DateCityCountryVenue
BirminghamUnited StatesFive Points Music Hall
AtlantaUnited StatesThe Roxy
New York CityUnited StatesRoseland Ballroom
PhiladelphiaUnited StatesTrocadero
WorcesterUnited StatesThe Palladium
ClevelandUnited StatesThe Odeon
CincinnatiUnited StatesBogart's
ColumbusUnited StatesNewport Music Hall
Grand RapidsUnited StatesThe Orbit Room
DetroitUnited StatesHarpo's
ChicagoUnited StatesHouse of Blues
MinneapolisUnited StatesQuest Club
DenverUnited StatesOgden Theater
Las VegasUnited StatesHouse of Blues
West HollywoodUnited StatesHouse of Blues
San FranciscoUnited StatesThe Fillmore
ScottsdaleUnited StatesCajun House
San AntonioUnited StatesSunset Station
HoustonUnited StatesSunset Station
DallasUnited StatesDeep Ellum Live