Fucked Up - The Chemistry of Common Life
Artist: Fucked Up
Album: The Chemistry of Common Life
Label: Matador
A prodigious string of released EPs—some released online; others, if pressed, only in quantities in the hundreds—scribbled and confusing album art and liner notes, violent live shows, multiple pseudonyms for bandmembers, debatable misrepresentation to the press, and a name considered by some to be unpublishable: for these reasons, among others, Fucked Up has been a band thoroughly (and intentionally) unfit for the traditional marketing of mainstream record labels.
Is it surprising, then, that the band is now reaching to a larger audience after seven years of marketing transgression? That Matador has chosen to re-release old material and put out this full-length album? In light of their superficial history, yes. A listen to the music, however, marks otherwise. Fucked Up do for hardcore what The Pixies did for rock, mixing pop hooks with gristle and grit. They make a debased nature somehow noble and fun, perfect for parties that slip into that I’ve-had-one-too-many-and-everyone’s-leaving moment.
Fucked Up – Twice Born
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This, like many of their songs, can be surprisingly catchy and disturbing. It is their knack for turning great melodies into something upsetting that makes Fucked Up a great band.
Fucked Up – No Epiphany
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A hardcore band doing shoegaze? Pretty good, I’d have to say. The atmospheric background vocals, buzzing background, and cascading guitars lend to, rather than distract from, the screamed lead vocals.
Anyway, check out the band’s blog, their wikipedia entry, and the Matador site. And as always, buy the album!
3 Responses to “Fucked Up - The Chemistry of Common Life”
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Miles, have you heard the new Deerhoof album, “Offend Maggie?” I gave it my second continuous listen tonight, and this album has blown my mind in a way that hasn’t happened since Unwound’s “Leaves Turn Inside You,” way way back.
I’d send you the link I got it from, but the file has been removed. The first 3 songs alone are well worth the $10 you’ll spend getting it on i-tunes, though. In fact, the 2nd track alone is probably well worth $10.
Oh, and (feel free to filter this one from publication) using a form of the word “debase” right after mentioning the Pixies? That’s either brilliant or shameful. I can’t and won’t make that call.
Filtering is for wusses and, you know, people with actual web traffic. I’ll check out the new Deerhoof album; thanks for the recommendation. Take care, Jeff.