The Chemistry of Common Life is not a technically proficient album despite its epic leanings. Like most albums primarily consisting of anthems, its impact tapers off slightly on repeated listens. But the sheer power of the album is key.
Despite a surprisingly visceral first listen, Chemistry reveals itself to be expertly crafted record with hidden subtleties at every turn.
Chemistry is a natural and seamless masterpiece that might never have happened but for the band's own need to thumb its nose at expectations.
Whether it's their second release or their 60th (no one's even pretending to be sure), Fucked Up's The Chemistry of Common Life is really easy to get excited about. A lot's been made about how it could possibly revitalize hardcore, although framing it within genre terms tends to lead to the wrong questions: Is it too melodic and instrumentally diverse to qualify as hardcore? Maybe. Is it heavy and chaotic enough to sa
tisfy fans of the debut, even while it dramatically broadens their fanbase? Possibly. Can a band as destructive as Fucked Up really carry an entire scene on their sweaty, unshaven backs? Stranger things have happened.
Whatever shortcomings The Chemistry Of Common Life present, and there are very few, Fucked Up cancels them out with some imagination and a refusal to so easily fit into the Mallternative crowd.
Abraham’s broken-glass bellow is often matched with folk-siren backup vocals that disorient more than they soothe. Multi-tracks thicken and slur the guitar riffs, heightening both tension and complexity.
‘The Chemistry Of Common Life’ finally proves that rather than being a messy gimmick, Fucked Up are a startlingly talented punk rock band.
The Chemistry of Common Life, is a lush, expansive masterpiece that dismisses the theory that punkers have to follow a concrete formula of short and fast songs with raw-edged production.
The Chemistry of Common Life is made by an expansive search party of scalpels, each handled with surgical precision. And together, they make a pretty deep cut.
Despite their juvenile name, The Chemistry of Common Life proves that Fucked Up are much more than just an idiotic, nihilistic punk band who leave trails of destruction and wrecked studios in their wake.
There’s some talent behind these songs; there isn’t a single instrumental dud on The Chemistry of Common Life. But while the instrumentals leave room for some kind of epic lyrics from the right lyricist and singer, Abraham is neither of those things.
POLARIS MUSIC PRIZE WINNERS DEEP DIVE (for @Dax_Wilder): 2009
Oh boy, what a journey this was! What we have here is a genre blending post-hardcore concept album discussing deeply existential themes, particularly the mysteries surrounding life and death. I'm not one for existentialism as it makes me feel rather paranoid, but regardless the lyrical content on this album I found to be consistently fascinating, and the instrumentals just kick so much ass. My favourite of the Polaris winners so far
Best Track: Son The Father, Golden Seal, Royal Swan, or The Chemistry Of Common Life
Worst Track: Days Of Last
Most Overrated Track: Crooked Head
Most Underrated Track: Days Of Last
After listening to their latest album back at the beginning of 2023, I grew an interest for these folks. They had a slight but noticeable style, mostly thanks to the singer; but they felt kind of tired and not very imaginative. I also saw that some people where talking about how they were fans since 'the beginning', then seen the average score they have and realizing that (according to the AOTY scores only) that album could be considered their big flop. Also also I saw them credited at the ... read more
1 | Son the Father 6:32 | 70 |
2 | Magic Word 3:21 | 74 |
3 | Golden Seal 3:35 | 75 |
4 | Days of Last 4:31 | 81 |
5 | Crooked Head 5:55 | 77 |
6 | No Epiphany 4:19 | 71 |
7 | The Peaceable Kingdom 4:25 | 72 |
8 | Black Albino Bones 4:14 | 79 |
9 | Royal Swan 4:49 | 77 |
10 | Twice Born 4:29 | 79 |
11 | Looking For God 3:16 | 76 |
12 | The Chemistry of Common Life 7:23 | 83 |
#2 | / | A.V. Club |
#4 | / | Spin |
#16 | / | PopMatters |
#17 | / | Pitchfork |
#19 | / | NME |
#24 | / | MOJO |
#44 | / | Drowned in Sound |
#45 | / | No Ripcord |
#91 | / | Consequence of Sound |