The Shape Of Punk To Come: A Chimerical Bombinatio Review

Released: Oct 27, 1998
Genre: Rock
Styles: Hardcore Punk, Alternative Metal
Number Of Tracks: 12

Sound:	10
Lyrics:	9.7
Impression:	10
Overall rating:	9.9
Users rating:	10
Comments:	13

overall: 10

Featured review by: BloodBrother, on january 14, 2004

Sound: This album is a complete 180-degree turnaround from Refused. They had released some previous albums of a more straightforward, hardcore punk style. Then, all of a sudden, this masterpiece comes along and surprises (and scares) the hell out of everyone. How to describe it? It's like someone took hardcore punk and threw it in a blender with jazz, classical, folk, and every other genre imaginable. The title comes from the title of an Ornette Coleman album, "The Shape of Jazz to Come." I've never heard anything like it and I don't think I ever will again (this band broke up after making this album). // 10

Lyrics and Singing: This band is from Sweden, which has a socialist democratic government. Thus, many of the lyrics are speaking out against oppression, racism, and capitalism. So, if you're not into that sort of thing, you might want to steer clear. But the lyrics are the sort of stuff that punk is all about, so there's nothing that could fit better. The lead vocalist, Dennis Lyxzen, moves from singing in a bittersweet falsetto to screaming like a banshee on acid. His mannerisms and inflections become familiar after just a few listens. // 10

Impression: This album holds a special place in my heart because it marks my change from popular music to punk. When I first hear this album, I was a freshman in high school, trying too hard to fit in and worrying far too much about what other people thought. When the sounds on this disc passed my eardrums, I went through a transformation. Needless to say, I think it is the greatest 55 minutes of sound in the history of modern music. There aren't really any standout tracks because the album flows together as a whole so well. // 10

overall: 10

Reviewed by: VeloriumCamper, on may 08, 2006

Sound: Pre-"The Shape Of Punk To Come", Refused were known for their powerful political lyrics and extremely energetic straight up punk rock. With the release of this album they broke down tons of barriers and shed new light on what punk was about to become, ironically. Each song blends pounding guitars, technical elements, and other exotic instruments like flute, cello, violin, you name it. This is an album definitely worth listening to on headphones, so you can hear the true perfection of it. Each song if put together beautifully and shows you how talented these guys are. Before "The Shape Of Punk To Come", Refused kept their music to guitars, drums, bass, and very political lyrics, tackling everything from poverty to beauty. With this album they got a lot more technical, while still sticking to their roots. In the end, the sound of this album is unlike any other, and is definitely worth a 10, even without the lyrics/vocals. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Refused definitely had some of the most controversial and well thought out lyrics to ever appear in the punk rock scene. With lyrics like "Rather be forgotten than remembered for giving in" and "Steal a sentence and make a catch phrase parole for our revolution" it's hard not to take these guys seriously. Each line Dennis spews speaks the utter and complete truth about what is, or was, going on in the corporate modern world today (or back in the late '90s). The thing that makes Refused's lyrics so great is that they don't hold back. They write what they want to write, they sing what they want to sing, and most importantly they say what they want to say. If you can't respect that, I don't know what you can. // 10

Impression: Compared to all of their other albums, and massive amounts of EPs and Compilations, "The Shape Of Punk To Come" is definitely Refused best release of their career, and their shining achievment. My favorite tracks on the album are "The Deadly Rhythm", "Refused Party Programme", "Worms Of Senses/Faculties Of The Skull", and one of my favorite songs of all time, "New Noise". I love everything about this album, and I feel that it is one of the best albums ever put out, by any singer/artist/band. Nothing Refused did on this album I can look on in a negative way, not even remotely close. Refused were right on point when they named their album "The Shape Of Punk To Come", because with the release of this album, and later, Thursday's "Full Collapse" we have all seen as witnessess, exactly where punk went. The quality of sound and lyrics may not be up to the standards of Refused, but just being the major influence in the movement, is an honor. This album is as close to perfection as I could say. There is not many albums out there that you can listen to straight through, without skipping a track, and this is one of them. To sum up this album in one word, it would definitely be: Revolution. // 10

overall: 9.7

Reviewed by: Viciousgray, on february 19, 2007

Sound: Ask any modern rock band if they list Refused as one of their influences and they will almost always say yes. The Shape of Punk to Come is the crown achievement of the Refused, an album that they went into knowing that it would probably be their last. The "last hoorah" concept behind the album is surely what brought it to greatness. Onto how this album kicks so much ass. Firstly, the guitar work, while not technically impressive, all the guitar work is written very intelligently. The timing and staggered rhythms help what may be considered "cliched" guitar verses find new energy. When not following along with the guitar, the bass will be laying down jazz rhythms. Of special interest is the bridge in "The Deadly Rhythm". There is a classic jazz riff played on a standing double bass. While not a bass on the record, they played it on a bass live so it counts. Of special interest to me is the drum work. It is the fullest, most complex drum work I've ever heard. What sounds simple at first is actually extremely deep drum rhythms. He plays jazz rhythms, punk rhythms, everything. It's so incredible you just have to listen to it yourself. Dennis, the singer, almost entirely abandons any semblance of singing on this record. His scream punctuates all of the music perfectly. As a whole the record is great. Not one song is filler. Every single song has its own personality, a rarity among rock records. A perfect record, in my opinion. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: While I personally like singing along with screaming, the singing in this record fits perfectly fine. It allows the listener to focus on the music as well as the lyrics. The political views expressed reflect my own (probably because refused influenced them), so I find great meaning in them. it's not enough that they're well written though, so the fact that there is truckloads of attitude in there as well helps greatly. Take, for instance, the first line of the first song (excluding the intro) "I've got a bone to pick with capitalism, and a few to break!" Gloriously angry. // 9

Impression: The Shape Of Punk To Come is thought by many to be a masterpiece. Songs of note are "Worms Of The Senses", "Protest song '69" and, every other song. Just get this album. I hate nothing about it, I love everything about it. It has inspired me personally and musically. I suggest to anyone who has an interest in producing good hardcore music that "Shape Of Punk" be in their CD library. // 10

Comments

[tpen892004]

amazing...period

[turbopunk2000]

This album is visious and powerful. Makes a perfect gift to any blink 182 or good charlotte fan.

[turbopunk2000]

O yeah, to get the full effect of this disc... FUCKING CRANK IT!!! Jk bout blink 182 and good charlotte by the way.

[ordino]

im a blink and good fan....im also increadibly ranged in the music i like, and this album is ****ing grate

[ordino]

....i can spell

[pringa]

its awesome

[minimann]

hands down one of the best and truest albums ever to grace this shitty planet.....R.I.P refused

[mronceaday]

Its a ****ing disgrace that this album was not in Rolling Stones' top 500 albums, not that it matters to me, but come on! I have since lost much respect for RS.

[farhan_zul]

yeah..the great album ever...

[evilbeavil]

amazing album

[Pollyboi]

totally amazing

[PunkAndrés]

My favorite album

[WastedTele]

mronceaday wrote:

Its a ****ing disgrace that this album was not in Rolling Stones' top 500 albums, not that it matters to me, but come on! I have since lost much respect for RS.

lol i think those lists that RS did are pretty shit tbh. there's some great stuff on them, but also there's alot of great stuff that's not. and most of the good stuff on the list is in the wrong place...i.e should be higher!