I agree there are definitely biased reviews here. This is nowhere as good as the two albums that followed it, but it is still solid nonetheless. Some really great tunes on here
I will go against the majority opinion and defend this as Hum's best album. It is an album for Hum fans and for anyone that considers grunge, post-hardcore, or space rock an important part of their lives, which if you're even here reading this, probably means you.
While 'Electra 2000' lacks the maturity and polish of their later albums, it packs more youthful, punkish energy. I found some of the songs on "Downward is Heavenward" were fantastically arranged, but outstayed their welcome after the 5th or 6th minute. Everything here lasts about the right length for what it has to offer.
The songwriting in particular just feels stronger to me. The way "Pewter" and "Double Dip" develop is unreal.
Listenable, but the band came into their own after this release. Easily biased opinions on this record, though, since you are going to inadvertently compare it to everything else they've done. "Winder" is a great song.
