Well some of you may not know, but I like creative and experimental music. I am a fan of KillingJoke, of most things Mike Patton is involved in, of Isis, Jesu and Mogwai and also of Refused. I have recenly rediscovered Jazz, in th form of John Coltrane and Miles Davis, an also John Zorn. I have also recently discovered drum n bass and trip-hop and also Hip-hop acts like The Roots. This liking for the experimental began roughly 3 years ago after the 2003 summer holidays, when i set my sights on the new sound. But this is not a biography of me, I'm here to review the album that got me into all of this stuff. That album is The Shape of Punk to Come.
Refused are:
Dennis - Vocals
Kristofer - Guitar, Bass, Drums
Jon - Guitars and Samplers
David - Drums, Guitars, Melodica
additional musicians fo this album are:
Magnus Bjorklund - Bass, Cello
Torbjorn Nasborn - Violin
Jakob Munck- Upright Bass
Pelle Henricsson- Tambourine
1. Worms of the senses/faculties of the skull:
Beginning with spoken word and leading into the abstract effects driven screeching noise this track transforms into a unique and powerful song. The riff starts off as an epic up and down hardcore riff and jumps freqently between this ans a rock n roll style riff. Ferocious vocals from Dennis such as "I've got a bone to pick with capitalism anda few to break" punctuate this musical blast . It then breaks down into a effects drive Guitar/Bass section which is brought back to the orginal strutcure by more ferocious vocals. Then it is led off in a entirely different direction. Then the pounding riff and the effects are combined, making a truly amazing song. Then it breaks down to a multiple riffage section before ending on an eccentric high. At the endof this song we are given an insight into things to come with an electro-dance section. Before coming oto the next track.
2. The Liberation Frequency:
Beginning with a melodic riff and high tuned vocals from Dennis, is song begins on a high and upbeat note. Then it builds up of the Heavy section with more empowered screams from Dennis. Almost as soon as it has arrived the chaotic section has swiftly returned to to earlier melody. Then comes a mencing bassline with Dennis shouting "we want our airwaves back!" before leading to the melodic riff with the heavy screamed vocals. This song is 4:08 mins long, but seems so much shorter because it is simply too good.
3. The Deadly Rhythm:
Beginning with a 50s sample from way back, this song is based on a thunderous and menacing drum beat. The rhythm guitar and bass build the song up and thn frantic widdly style lead gutar fills this out. again this is all topped off by the Husky screams of Dennis. Before you know it you have come across and Double Bass part with Dennis giving a spoken word section. Then it builds up to the frantic hardcore of earlier before mellowing out again and then lading to an epic metal/hardcore ending! Brilliant stuff.
4. SummerHolidayvsPunkRoutine:
This song is a song for all you aspiring musicians. If you can write a song this good about you frustation of not having made it yet then you are a genius. The structure of ths song is once again random, with a mixture of rock n roll riffs, hardcore fury and electronic effects. Basslines at certain times take the centre and tend to be uplifting. On this song Dennis is seemingly spectacularly passionate. This song puts me in mind of performing onstage. Its the kind of song that i you try an connect to it, it will build your self-confidence.
5. Bruitist Poem #5:
An excellent instrumental electonic piece. Reminiscent of ambeint Dance or Trip-Hop but with the use of instruments cleverly placed in the mix. It has effects and atmosphere aplenty. It's definitely worth listening to even tho it may not appeal to your usual hardcore fans.
6. New Noise:
An upbuilding Lead riff backed up by thunderous bass leading into an electronic section before ......."CAN I SCREAM?!?!?" The answer is yes as the Chorus is delivered in shrieking fashion. It is adrenaline-filled in a truly powerful and amazing way. Then it comes back down for the spoken word verse in which Kristofer provides angrier vocals to back up Dennis. The riff is brought back in for the chorus as Dennis returns to ferocity. Then Dennis says the Key lyrics "How can we expect them to listen if we use the same old voice? We need new noise!" only to be perfected by Kristofer's "New Art for the real people!" before leading into a Epic chorus followed by an electronica spaced out build up. Behind the electronic effects the Band build up to a final powerful as hell chorus. This powers though your system and then all cuts out except vocals as Dennis screams 'The New Beat!" repeatedly.
7. Refused Party Program:
Opened with spoken word leading into an urgent riff. As This song defiantly rips you a new ear hole you'll enjoy it, but probably realise it is one of this less creative pieces of music on the album. at 2:38 mins it could easily be any old hardcore song if wasn't for the Mr. Bungle-esque feel to the bassline. Good, but not for Refused.
8. Protest song '68:;
Beginning by quoting H.Miller withan upbuilt palm-mute riff this so is reasonably difficlt to predict. The struck chord an screamed vocal style that follows is so incredibly angry. This loud/quiet dynamcs is repeated. The lyics hear are truly politicised and include lines like "Could be dangerous, art as a real threat." . The melodic lines of this song are its strong point. But the smooth transition should also be noted. The song ends on a chaotic note that makes use of an incredible fade out until only the lead guitar is left playing itself away. Or so you think, the song ends on some amazing drums.
9. Refused Are F**king Dead:
Begins with a slugde style-riff which then leads into a riff falling between old school rock n roll and palm muted anthrax style thrash. The song cotinues into a collection of crazy riffs with Dennis Shrieking his manifesto style lyrics. The use of effected based bass adds a bit of flavour to the proceedings. Then comes the amazing lyric: "A naive Secret for the new romantics, We express ourselves in loud and fashionable ways"
10. The Shape of Punk to Come:
This is the title track for a reason. It's Amazing. Beginning with Repetitive drums and an amzing lead riff it is soon fleshed out to an urgent beat from all involved. This is a funky as hell Hardcore song with the use of electronica also present in the basslines. Dennis Comes forward as a real "voice of the generation" with the lyrics like "Adolescent beats is a new thing to see.". It is all Incredible as the effects laden guitar and bass drive off in different directions only to return to the original urgent rock n roll ferocity. The vocals of this track jump between screamed, shouted and sung erratically.
11. Tanhauser/Derivé
A pratically instrumental piece with few lyrics, it is driven by the strings players. The piece is bult up with the use of all instruments as they back up the cello and violin. Then comes the epic sounding metal riff. The guitar hear is very cleverly echoed across the entire track. This piece is much more epic then you come to expect from a punk band. The vocals come in later but don't take centre stage until Dennis makes a philosophical/political speech. The section echoes out and leads to a quiet plucked strings instrument. Then you are corrected if youthought you ad seen these guys get really angry. Continuing on a ferocious note, this song is Refused at their angriest. Then it ends on an accoustic folk note too. Crazed beyond belief.
12. The Appollo Program was a Hoax:
This song mainly takes place in an accoustic style. Beginning with blues style Double Bass, and folk style plucked strings this piece is pretty clever. The vocals are muffled and quiet but the lyrics are inspired an witty, as well as being driven by revolution. The lyrics could be easily screamed out to one of the amazing riffs of the previous tracks, but Refused are not a one-trick pony. Then comes the amazing lyric "Suck on my words for a while/ choke on the truth of a million dead/ there's no prestige to you title/ we are after your head." Then comes an ominous strings riff which is smart in that it returns to the usual chilled feel before you have even realised. An Amazing end.
Overall
A great album, rivalling Bad Brains "Rock For Light" for being best hardcore album ever. The charm of TSOPTC is that it is a real collection of genres. Beautiful mxitures of hardcore, folk, electronica/dance and whatever else may take their fancy. Overall it'sa shame they broke up, but all good things must come to an end as old blokes say, and this album was a great thing, so at the risk of sounding corny, we're lucky it came into existence. Don't check out any of Dennis's new projects, they suck.
