Just prior to an acrimonious breakup in 1998, Swedish hardcore group Refused released its magnum opus, The Shape of Punk to Come: A Chimerical Bombination in 12 Bursts. It was as much an assault on capitalist philosophy as it was a striking stylistic evolution, and it did its best to advance hardcore in the way that its titular influence, Ornette Coleman’s The Shape of Jazz to Come, did with jazz.
Best albums: Trentemøller, Deer Tick, Kings of Leon, Touche Amore, INVSN
Trentemøller: Lost
Deer Tick: Negativity
Kings of Leon: Mechanical Bull
Touché Amoré: Is Survived By
INVSN: s/t
Marbeya Sound: Colonies