|
Review Navigator   FeaturesContestsReviews
| Fucked UpTriumph of Life [7 inch]2006 Jade Tree ![Fucked Up - Triumph of Life [7 inch] (Cover Artwork)](/images/covers/fucked_up-triumph_of_life.jpg)
 Review by: JonDaley See others by this writer ![[staff]](/images/icons/staffsticker.gif){kind=icon}
Fucked Up's Official Blog (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on September 19th 2006
I'll tell you stage dives make me feel more alive than coded messages in slowed down songs.When seeing Gorilla Biscuits recently and hearing this line in “New Direction,” it seemed kind of strange for that particular show. This was because Fucked Up opened up, a band which funny enough has been accused of brainwashing, amongst other outlandish things. While their lyrics are a tad cryptic at times (no pseudo poetry, thanks), the music however is still a great backdrop for stage dives. I suppose this rare dichotomy is one reason the band is so polarizing. On the A-side, this 7" contains the first single off the band's full-length debut. If you are somewhat familiar with Fucked Up’s output to this point, you might be taken a back by the length of the song (if you don't count/know their Looking for Gold 12" material). Clocking in at 6:02, for an average hardcore punk band this may seem like an eternity. Thankfully, these guys and girl aren’t your average breakdown-heavy moshcore band. The rhythm section helps move the song along at a medium fast pace throughout the whole six minutes that will have you wanting to slam, pogo and act a fool. Vocalist Pink Eyes barks out the lyrics like a drill sergeant, but you can actually understand him; he isn’t just an indiscernible bridge troll like some hardcore vocalists. While what the song actually means is a little hazy, the line "the war is like a symphony that rings through our lives / we dance together in a violence for a chance to survive" leads me to believe, in a way, this is telling of the strange sense of humour the band possesses. It was designed to be a kind of hardcore epic. When the song breaks down into the fist-pumping monotone chants of "triumph of life" and combines with the simple, instantly memorable guitar lines it reveals, perhaps, the true nature of the song: the monotonous cycle of life, violence and death set to a slam pit. While it took a bit to get into this song, it became very rewarding after repeated listens. If the title song is a bit much for some, the non-album B-side throws older fans a bone. While “Neat Parts” doesn’t stick out as much to me individually, it keeps things to a brief two-minute length. This effectively contrasts “Triumph of Life” as well as cements the style the band is best known for. While the band draws influence from late `70s punk and early `80s hardcore, forget about 7 Seconds and Bad Brains -- they prefer to exploit the dark nature and wit from bands like MDC and Black Flag. The opening lines paint a dreary picture of society: "Empty words backed by empty symbols cover up empty promises obscure the whole truth, so I’ve tried I’ve tried to listen to empty slogans / they just fall on my left and deaf ear." Unlike “Triumph of Life,” they opt to use more of a real chorus on this song to add to the short catchy blast. As a teaser 7-inch, Triumph of Life is a pretty successful piece. It acts as a bridge between, with something new leaning perhaps to the direction of the new full-length while providing something in an older style. If you are already a fan of the band this is worth picking up for the B-side. If you haven’t heard the band this will be a good intro to what the band is currently doing and what they have done in the past. People who liked this also liked:     ![The Cute Lepers - Terminal Boredom [7 inch]](/images/covers/thumb/steve_e_nix_and_the_cute_lepers-terminal_boredom.jpg)      Please login or register to post comments. What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
i'm pretty sure 10,000 marbles wrote that that is a really indepth articulate analysis of the song. I only hinted on anything close to that, kudos to whom ever wrote that. Its exactly what I meant by the rewarding nature of the recording. Here's a little blurb about the song from the Solid Pr website GB are just in it for the money now. they also wanted 10 bucks for the new tour 7". did anyone hear it? holy fuck batman, it was terrible. i feel sorry for all the nerds paying 60 bucks for it on ebay. the full length is WAAAAY too fucking long best hardcore band right now haha this is the band that hates billy talent I like the band's name. Maximum Rock and Roll has a big ol' boner for these guys. I have yet to hear them. Triumph of life. Big man hardcore!! Fucked Up!! YEAH FUCK YEAH!! Sounds good, i'll have to check it out. what a great fucking line. gorilla biscuits rule. |
