Pulp - This Is Hardcore

[dipstick]

I came to Pulp fairly late, a little after their penultimate "This Is Hardcore". It was mentioned on BCB years ago and as I recall there were some comments of real dislike from several folks. One of them even mentioned a feeling of betrayal on the stylistic change. Their band had turned on them. It was a well written post and I still remember the sentiment.

Being very far removed from all of that, I actually enjoy the album quite a bit. The tunes aren't filled with as many hooks as their previous album, but there's plenty to like here. The sound of it is just brilliant; instruments are allowed to breathe and the songs can rise and fall simply on that. Lyrically, I think Jarvis is still sharply on point for the topics covered.

So years later, what are your opinions on it?

[Reasonable good Nick]

I love it, it's the Pulp album I'm most likely to play.

A Different Class is great, obviously, but I've heard most of the songs from it far too many times. I prefer the noir and seductive dirt of This is Hardcore.

The Fear and the title track are Jarvis doing John Barry (oo-er) in excelsis, and Dishes is Pulp's great overlooked love song, a lovely and moving little gem.

And also, Party Hard is a top banger.

[Deleted]

Pulp are too British for me for some reason. When A Different Class was being hyped, I bought it and could not get into it as much as I tried.

I like some Brit-centric groups, like the Kinks, the Jam, the Clash, Roxy Music, because they give me windows into Brit culture and perspectives that are totally alien to my No. California experience.

As I get older I gravitated more towards American post punk and ultimately, Americana - more realistic and surrealistic versions of it because I understand the musical and lyrical perspectives much more easily.

I won't be going back to Pulp. Even when I come across them on compilations, I just don't get it.

[Deleted]

one of my top albums of 1998...Taking the bones of Different Class and adding a veneer of dark seediness and desperation was the perfect move for the band...

[Admin]

It's my least favourite Pulp album from their golden age (remember there were three so-so LPs released before they hit big), but there are some great songs there. But the title track is dreadfully dull and drawn-out, full of self-importance. And Pulp were NEVER self-important.

[Reasonable good Nick]

I much prefer it to their last album, that one just never clicked for me. The Trees was a nice enough single, but the rest of it? Meh. Shame too, as it was produced by the Godlike Scott Walker.

I did see them touring it though, in the summer of 2002 (I think it was their final outing) and they put on a hell of a show. Good support too, from Clinic.

[oh oooh]

Oh, I love that last album. I really do.

Give it another go, Nick.