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Refused - The Shape of Punk to Come
This is a record that is a blessing and a tragedy all in one. A tragedy because Refused split up not long after making it, a blessing because it is as vital now as it was then. How they knew they were going to change the shape of heavy music when they titled this album I don’t know but you’d be hard pressed to find a band in the now burgeoning post-hardcore scene that wouldn’t have to tip their hat to this record. Music which is at the same time very progressive as well as being the heavy burst of adrenaline that punk music is so good at providing is a wonderful thing. Some of the tracks on here aren’t even songs; they’re like classical compositions with different movements, each complementing the other perfectly. Refused have an almost unparalleled ability to make music which builds before exploding in a way that jolts your mind and body ecstatically awake, from the jazzy interlude in The Deadly Rhythm to the electronics and sampling of New Noise, it’s the variation of musical styles present that make the heavier bits such a welcome hit of energy and excitement. Sharp, clever, heavy, melodic and with a strong agenda this is the kind of music that dreams are made of and it really does justify all the hype that has ever surrounded it. It’s hard to name any track over the others as being the best so my recommendation is just to buy it and own all of them then you can make your own choice.
10 out of 10