Jarvis Cocker may not be regarded as one of the kindest souls in music, but the fact remains that in the 1990’s his band Pulp made some of the most creative and wonderful pop music to come out of Britain. Like him or not, it’s hard to resist his grand musical ideas—even when they are at their wildest and strangest.
Pulp was around for well over a decade when the band burst onto the scene in with 1993’s His n’ Hers. But it was with the outstanding Different Class (1995) that the band shed most all previously applied negative stigmas. A stylish, sardonic, not to mention absolutely satisfying effort, the album earned the band the love of admiration of fans in the UK and even managed to cross (however momentarily) over to the US. Songs including Common People, Disco 2000, Sorted for E’s & Wizz, Mis-Shapes, and Underwear made Different Class one of my favorite albums of the last decade.
Before I go too far, I want to mention why there will be little talk of any other band members aside from Cocker. Pulp’s lineup is always in tumult—they constantly are gaining and losing members for one reason or another. At the time the band’s 1998 album This Is Hardcore was recorded the lineup looked something like this: Jarvis Cocker (lead vocals), Nick Banks (drums), Candida Doyle (keyboards), Steve Mackey (bass guitar), Mark Webber (guitar), and longstanding member Russell Senior (guitar violin). All songs on This Is Hardcore list some variation of these six folks in the writing credits. Though, in the case of Pulp the clear cornerstone of the band is Cocker.
This Is Hardcore picks up where Different Class left off three years earlier. Still sarcastic, sexual, and theatrical Pulp is once again at the top of their game. This is glam rock for the nineties; a way to be entertained and awe-struck at the same time. The one thing that makes this a slightly inferior album to Different Class is that it’s not quite as immediate or accessible. But that doesn’t mean I don’t like it—truth be told, I love it and can’t help but urge fans of pop/glam/alt/rock to also take a chance and check out This Is Hardcore.
As per usual, sexuality permeates much of what Pulp does. The title is one clear example of this—the orgasmic cover photo is another. Still another indication of the album’s slant is the lyrics. Upon first hearing the words the sex isn’t necessarily obvious, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the pervading theme. Take for instance the none-too-subtle words of Party Hard:
This man is dangerous, he just shed his load on your best party frock.
Before you enter the palace of wisdom you have to decide: are you ready to rock?
Oh can you party with me?
Can you show me a good time?
Do you even know what one looks like?
Regardless of whether or not the subject matter is to your liking, it is impossible to deny the appeal of Pulp’s pop music. Save for a few less than perfect moments toward the end (songs Sylvia, Glory Days, and The Day After the Revolution), This Is Hardcore is outstanding. As with the vast majority of decent albums, this one starts with a bang rather than a whimper. The sinister, orchestral sound of The Fear leaves little question as to the merit of Pulp. It is by no means a foot stomping, toe tapping dance number like Common People but it is none the less interesting and gripping.
Continuing on, I am struck by the rich strange tones of Dishes. An excellent song, it stands nicely on its own modest tones. In contrast, the aforementioned Party Hard is loud and sparkles with an energy that barely outweighs the band’s nihilistic tendencies. But it is mid-album that the album really dances into my heart. Help With The Aged and even more so This is Hardcore help to make this effort something special. Each track brings something new and different into the spotlight—and with This is Hardcore it is impossible to ignore the slow but forceful meat mixed with horns and strings. It is a gorgeous, wonderful song that at the same time seems tired and isolated. Pulp clearly shines here.
A Little Soul is also a personal favorite. While the song at first sounds lighter and happier, further investigation turns up more dark themes. But what I like in particular is the clap-along chorus. It is, without question, the most memorable moment of the entire album. I also have to toss out that both I’m A Man (with another memorable chorus) and Seductive Barry (featuring Neneh Cherry) are good if not great songs.
This is Hardcore isn’t the best album from Pulp. There are too many moments (especially toward the end) that rub me the wrong way. But it is still a necessary addition to any Brit-pop/glam/rock fan. I highly recommend it, only slightly beneath the career defining Different Class and in the same breath as the band’s breakthrough His n’ Hers.
Rating:4.5 stars
Track Listing:
01. The Fear
02. Dishes
03. Party Hard
04. Help the Aged
05. This Is Hardcore
06. TV Movie
07. A Little Soul
08. I’m a Man
09. Seductive Barry
10. Sylvia
11. Glory Days
12. The Day After the Revolution
13. Like a Friend
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