Search - Pulp :: This Is Hardcore + Like a Friend

This is pure genius

Daubas | Paris, France | 01/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At the same time a shaggable genius and a skinny loser, Jarvis Cocker frontman and lyrics writer for Pulp is truly inspiring, one of the last REAL ROCK STARS offered to us by the XXth century. Yet Pulp is now dormant and a bit forgotten, what a pity ! Surfing on the Cool Britania wave of the mid 90's the Sheffield band that had started on the independent circuit in the 80's makes itself noticed and provides Britain's underdogs with a voice. and what a voice !!! breathy, sexy, deep or fragile, Cocker knows how to use his organ, and even takes you very close to musical orgasm. Delightfully pervert but also touchingly sincere and simple the lyrics are just wonderful and served by surprising tunes.

This is Hardcore is the 3rd "commercial" album of the band and was written at a point when Cocker was trying to get himself together, after as he himself put it "getting as hammered as possible". Yet, contrary to Oasis's Be Here Now which musicaly suffered from drug and alcohol abuses, Pulp's This is Hardcore is their best album. Suffering is sometimes source of greatness and Cocker sure knows how to sublimate his angst into breathtaking songs.

Opening with The Fear (the best song ever written on depression) sets a dark mood, but also a sophisticated and demanding quality. It's not because he is depressed that he gets sloppy! But the mood lightens up a bit with track 2: Dishes, in which Pulp displays its simple musical talent and which lyrics are pure Jarvis humour, singing "I'm not Jesus Christ though I share the same initials..." proving a modesty unknown to most rock stars. This is Hardcore is off course the absolute highlight of the album, a drifting number that pulses like blood in your veins. The absolute beauty of the production on this song proves that the band has reached maturity. The following, TV movie, is yet another simple piece with touching lyrics, but Cocker never really let's himself fall into stupid pathos and the self derision and critical stance he takes on himself is reffreshing as ever. Other great songs on the album are Party Hard, a more upbeat song, a bit more agressive and something u can definitely dance to. The album like a therapy finally lets us hear signs of hope with Glory Days, a great reflexion on the common victories of life, but don't worry nothing to existencial.

This is Hardcore is an absolute must have for anyone who loves rock. It is stylish, honnest, moving, even arousing (a great specialty of Jarv); yet for all it's sassy sophistication it stays true to the band's origins and to the common people feel. Working class Britain, we love you !!!



I definitely recommend to listen to Different Class as well, released before TIH it is the album Pulp will be remmembered for and is characteristic of the sound and mood of the band. Together these 2 albums form a magnificent diptic of genius. Essential."

Every single day

space_antelope | Baltimore Maryland | 03/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i guess i missed out on the days when pulp was popular. where was i?? oh yeah i was listening to meatloaf and megadeth probably. well now i have this cd and i have to say, yes, i have to say, it is very good."