Since 2002, Toronto’s Fucked Up? has been relentlessly releasing some of the best hardcore/punk music of all time; the bulk of which has been in the 7inch single/EP format. This double CD complies 25 tracks from 8 years worth of mostly vinyl only releases (some of which may or may not actually exist, see the band’s blog, http://lookingforgold.blogspot.com, for more about that). Fucked Up? is not, by any means, a typical punk band. Upon a brief listen, one may lump them in with the schlock that passes for punk these days; but after hearing a few tracks, one would be pleasantly mistaken.

The first track, No Pasarán, blurs the lines between political statement, history lesson and punk anthem. The opening sample (from the 1995 movie Land and Freedom, which is set during the Spanish Civil War) “If Franco wins the war, it would be a major boost for fascists everywhere…” paired with the chorus “They won’t fuck with us much longer! No Pasarán!" drives the point home and sets the tone for the first disk, “The Hard Stuff”.

Throughout disk one, not only are the lyrics thought provoking and confrontational; the music and vocals are guttural and devastating. Fucked Up?’s singer, Pink Eyes, has the classic throaty punk bark down pat, but there is a conviction heard in is voice that is a rare find these days. The band plays fast and unforgiving. The bass and drums often sound on the verge of exploding. But its Fucked Up?’s three-guitar assault that lifts them above the rest. Tight rhythms, dueling bluesy hooks and hidden melodies come at you non-stop. It’s literally exhausting yet invigorating to listen to. All 12 tracks on disk one are epically brutal and beautiful.

Disk two is “The Fun Stuff”. It’s not as brutal, but is still a force to be reckoned with. Here we get five cover songs, B-sides (to some of tracks on disk one) and two tracks from Fucked Up?’s psyched-out Daytrotter Session. All 13 tracks are winners and this disk complements and contrasts the first one perfectly. The covers and (especially) the Daytrotter tracks are the standouts. They show diversity and a sense of whimsy that isn’t often associated with hardcore/punk bands.

Couple Tracks does more than getting remastered rarities to existing fans; it’s also a great place to start if you haven’t heard Fucked Up?. If you fall into the later group and think you listen to punk music, Couple Tracks is mandatory listening.