• Record Label: Matador
  • Release Date: Oct 7, 2008
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 23
  2. Negative: 1 out of 23

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  1. JasonB
    Jun 2, 2009
    10
    While the term "artistry" is rarely used in conjunction with "hardcore" or "punk rock," now is such a time. This band defies classification, and perhaps these labels just don't apply to anything other than the circles they run in. The layers of sound, the depth of the composition, the intensity of this album leave nothing to be desired. While something of this vein might not appeal While the term "artistry" is rarely used in conjunction with "hardcore" or "punk rock," now is such a time. This band defies classification, and perhaps these labels just don't apply to anything other than the circles they run in. The layers of sound, the depth of the composition, the intensity of this album leave nothing to be desired. While something of this vein might not appeal to me normally, the artistry of this album insist attention to be paid. I sat and I listened. It was an hour well spent. Expand
  2. WesselKampen
    Nov 2, 2008
    9
    Wow, never dare to dream that records like this would be made again. Noise like noise was made in the late 80's and early 90's, with a singer that resembles david yow in his best period... Fantastic this trip down memorylane!
  3. JohnD.
    Oct 16, 2008
    9
    I'll gladly take firsties on this bad boy. What a massive, train-wreck of a record . . . in a good way. If this don't make your booty move, your booty must be dead!
  4. EricC.
    Nov 22, 2008
    9
    This has to be one of the best punk/hardcore albums in years. It has big and clean production, but doesn't lose any of its rawness. The lead singer is insane. A singer hasn't wowed me this much since that chick from Wolves in the Throne Room (check them out). A healthy dose of indie rock and post rock keep this an intriguing album. They have a finely foccussed anger that keeps This has to be one of the best punk/hardcore albums in years. It has big and clean production, but doesn't lose any of its rawness. The lead singer is insane. A singer hasn't wowed me this much since that chick from Wolves in the Throne Room (check them out). A healthy dose of indie rock and post rock keep this an intriguing album. They have a finely foccussed anger that keeps it hard-hitting from beginning to end. Its not overwhelming, though. It's actually kind of welcoming. Easily one of the year's best albums. Collapse
  5. Dec 30, 2011
    10
    Just listen Its great
  6. Aug 22, 2012
    8
    **** Up are a once in a generation band. The Chemistry Of Common Life is a great album. It's heavy, melodic, hardcore all wrapped up nice in a canadian punk band. Damian Abraham's vocals are so abrasive, an acquired taste. Not everyone's cup of tea but if you're a hardcore punk fan (such as I), you should be inclined to listen to this album. "Crooked Teeth" sums up the band in that one**** Up are a once in a generation band. The Chemistry Of Common Life is a great album. It's heavy, melodic, hardcore all wrapped up nice in a canadian punk band. Damian Abraham's vocals are so abrasive, an acquired taste. Not everyone's cup of tea but if you're a hardcore punk fan (such as I), you should be inclined to listen to this album. "Crooked Teeth" sums up the band in that one song. All In All, incredible experimental punk band. Great album. B+ Expand
  7. Dec 20, 2021
    7
    both an expression of their anarcho-punk fury and a declarartion of straight-edge commitment, but it's also a radical redrawing of hardcore's boundaries, that reanimates the genre with an aggressively intelligent jolt
  8. Sep 10, 2023
    10
    An album that worked in every way and a album I was fond of years ago. A perfect rock'n'roll album to me.

Awards & Rankings

Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 26
  2. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. They are like nothing you've ever heard before and everything you one day hoped you would, too strong for the charts and too corrupting for MTV.
  2. The Chemistry Of Common Life finally proves that rather than being a messy gimmick, Fucked Up are a startlingly talented punk rock band.
  3. Whatever shortcomings The Chemistry Of Common Life present, and there are very few, Fucked Up cancels them out with some imagination and a refusal to so easily fit into the Mallternative crowd.