03/08/12: Fucked Up - Hidden World (2006)

03/08/12: Fucked Up - Hidden World (2006)

1. Crusades
2. David Comes to Life
3. Invisible Leader
4. Carried Out to the Sea
5. Baiting the Public
6. Fate of Fates
7. Two Snakes
8. Hidden World
9. Manqueller Man
10. Blaze of Glory
11. Triumph of Life
12. Jacobs Ladder
13. Vivian Girls

     I reviewed "The Chemistry of Common Life" by Fucked Up earlier in this project and it did not disappoint. "Hidden World" is their first full-length but they released a long steady stream of 7" singles and E.P.s before this. I picked up a couple compilations of their many early releases and will be reviewing them later. After flipping through some of their earlier tracks I half-expected that "Hidden World" would be drastically different and not nearly as interesting as their later releases. I was very wrong.
     Fucked Up now accounts for 3 of my favorite "hardcore" records of all time. As with their other albums, it is epic in length for a hardcore punk album at over 70 minutes. That's whats so amazing about their music; They vary their style and throw enough musical surprises at you that the songs never get boring. There is more of a straightforward punk and hardcore feel to some of these songs than on the later record's more anthem rock feel but that is to be expected from their first album. They were just starting to shed and manipulate what was expected from their music scene. This album surprised me with musical devices like a small string interlude or a whistle solo.
     The album's lyrics are quite religious but it was just to fit with the theme of the real world vs the hidden world. The lyrics are ridiculously poetic and I only say ridiculously because of the juxtaposition of these lyrics being sung by a hardcore singer. The music is unique and familiar at the same time. the lyrics are awesome and intense and this album is a great listen. You need to check out all 3 of their full-lengths because they are all spectacular. (068)