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Fucked Up

Epics in Minutes (2004)
Deranged Records

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Contributed by: ngs091
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on April 21st 2009

Do you crave emotion? Do you crave pain? Wanna feel fucked?

Fucked Up’s Epics in Minutes runs the gamut of likability, as on this massive 21-track album there is a perfect album, then there is an utter mess. One now knows that fucking can be great and fucking can be painful.

In the liner notes, the band states: “This is the closest that there will ever be to a Fucked Up retrospective.” The album is made of songs that came out before 2004. As with any good retro, it shows the band's growth from a much lesser, more ordinary band into the noisy behemoths they would become. However, due to the tracks that feature the band getting its feet wet, it also greatly mars an otherwise diamond, even leaving this writer wondering, “Can you polish a turd or rather smudge a diamond?” One has to wonder in these two disparate opposites in the quality held in Epics in Minutes.

It can’t start any better than the hell-raising "Color of Removal" and the next song, "What Could‘ve Been." These tracks may show exactly why Fucked Up has gotten away from its purely hardcore roots in subsequent albums (such as Hidden World and The Chemistry of Common Life). Simply, there probably was not much more room to grow. The music element in this song and just slightly less than half the rest of the album literally goes beyond words. Honestly, this writer believes it may be “the best” musicianship they have heard so far on a pure “hardcore punk” album.

There’s also a two-part early version of their Hidden World staple, "Baiting the Public." Even broken up in two songs, it’s slightly shorter. The song also is more standard hardcore, as in the production is not as embellished. However, it is still a perfect song anyway, sounding more direct and to the point, unlike the Hidden World version which seems to ramble a bit.

"Last Man Standing," "Litany," "A Light That Never Comes On," "Dance of Death" and "Ciut Radio Session" are the only less-than-awe-inspiring moments on the initial 13 songs, but still stampede and rattle like a bull in a porcelain shop. The other six not-yet-mentioned songs before the disastrous demo are utterly fantastic, impeccable even. Then it goes into the learn-and-grow early sessions. Ugh!

With a poor recording quality, which just amateurishly bashes and never plays, it’s quite a disappointing ending to an otherwise stellar album.

First 13 songs: 4½/5

Songs 14-21: 0/5

Overall (and heavily weighted): 3½/5

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Douglas_is_rad (April 22, 2009)

The Epics in Minutes version of Generation sucks compared to the EP version, but everything else rules. I can't think of any other band that has held my attention like this over the span of their entire career...

maxethunders (April 21, 2009)

The liner notes also say that the demo is from the actual tape since the master was lost or destroyed. And that Damian made up the words on the spot which could explain the lyrics anyway. Still pretty good though.

INDW (April 21, 2009)

the reviewer absolutely nails this. This was my introduction to the band and the first half of the album is exceptionally good (the rift of 'what could've been' stands out imo), but the second half is basically unlistenable. I've tried a couple of times and it really is painful.

xshoutoutx (April 21, 2009)

so good

BipedCasserole (April 21, 2009)

One of few bands whose old material is just as awesome as their newer stuff. "Litany" pawns nubs.

lostandclowned (April 21, 2009)

This is the Fucked Up I know. Punk rock elitism ftw.

givemeamuseumandillfillit (April 21, 2009)

Hahahahaha, i got this record and every time I see the cover i crack up.

theonetruebill (April 21, 2009)

This is the only Fucked Up stuff I could see myself putting on of my own volition and even then not very often. Couple great songs and lots of other ones that really don't stay in my head at all.

red_eye_inc (April 21, 2009)

I like this band a lot but I don't have the energy to track down andlisten to all their releases, so I dug this even if the last half is spotty at best.