Fucked Up

Hidden World

Jade Tree

Pras Rajagopalan (CHARTattack)

11/14/2006 9:27pm

Since their conception in 2001, Fucked Up have released a long string of EPs and singles, most wholly unmarketable due to the fact that they contained no more than two tracks. So naturally it's a little puzzling that the Toronto hardcore outfit have released a debut record that clocks in at more than 70 minutes and boasts notable, if not necessarily prominent, contributions from Toronto "it"-boy Owen Pallet (Final Fantasy). The surprise is welcome, though. These 13 songs are wholly emblematic of Fucked Up's unconventional approach to hardcore punk. They manage to sound both aggressive and pensive, equally capable of melody, experimentation or unfettered thrash. This is all delivered with serious musicianship — a four-letter word in the punk lexicon — and the band don't engage in bouts of useless guitar shredding. Check out the standout title track, which begins with an ominous rumble before bursting into a classic red-blooded '80s American hardcore anthem that features both a fake ending and a whistled coda. Hidden World is exhilarating it from start to finish. Pras Rajagopalan