I have a penchant for fast hardcore punk. It’s aggressive lyrics and fast guitarchords are the majority of what I pumped through my ears from the ages offifteen to eighteen. It doesn’tcome up on my squeezebox too often these days, but when it does, it comes with heavydoses of nostalgia.
Couple Tracks is a compilation of previously released tracksspanning 2002-2009. It is not expected to be the highly anticipated sequel totheir Polaris Prize winning album The Chemistry of Real Life….so don’t expectwild innovation on these tracks, it’s mostly conventional hardcore with a bitof twists.
The two disks (witha total of 25 tracks) give you plenty to bob your head to. Mr. Damien aka Pink Eyes appears to beshouting and growling with purpose.‘No Parisans’ is about the Spanish Revolution while ‘Toronto FC’ appearsto be about the troubles of their city.F**ked up chart off the hardcore map sometimes: ‘David Comes to Life’with the use of synths and chord progression more liking to 70’s rock and ‘IHate Summer’ uses cellos to lighten the aggression. ‘Anorak City’ is myfavourite with it’s 1950’s inspired sound in the guitars yet stays true withMr. Damien’s growly lyrics of love.
I’ve been intrigued by F**ked Up for sometime, particularlyafter their Polaris win. ThePolaris prize of $20 000 is based solely on artistic merit, decided from thebest Canadian artists by the best Canadian experts. Since it’s creation four years ago, pretty acts such asPatrick Watson and Final Fantasy have been the winners. The Chemistry of Common Life winningshows how progressive Canadian critics and artists can be. Yet, upon listeningto Couple Tracks, I’m unsure of how they won. In many ways, they are just a regular hardcore band, withgrowly voices and standard guitar rifts singing about anger and love.
So, thanks F**ked Up for bringing me down memory lane with‘Couple Tracks’. But your aggression and angry lyrics aren’t for everyday use. I’ll remember you on my squeezebox forthose special times when I really need to rock out.
-7.5/10
http://www.myspace.com/epicsinminutes
-BROOKE
COUPLE TRACKS is available from ROAD RECORDS