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October 25, 2006
Retrohump Day - Pulp
Out of the bright blue sky, suddenly everything's coming up Pulp. Idolator recently launched a campaign to liberate the name Mis-Shapes from the obnoxious hipster meat market back to its song title source. The Onion named 1997's This is Hardcore to its Hall of Fame in light of its expanded re-issue. The BBC just released an ace compilation of the group's John Peel sessions. The Long Blondes achieved a fuller sound through the production efforts of Pulp bass-man Steve Mackey, and his group is an undeniable touchpoint for their spectacular debut album. Even Jarvis himself is getting alot of buzz for his soon to be released solo album, uh, Jarvis.
It's a Pulp predicted future folks, so back to the source we go...
Pulp - "Common People"
(Glastonbury Festival, 1995)
Filling in for a Stone Roses no-show, Pulp stepped up to the plate and killed Glastonbury '95, cementing their place as Britpop superstars in the UK (after only like 13 years of trying). They were a good distance darker and more clever than the bulk of their contemporaries, and their peak material has aged remarkably well. Once you know this song it's pretty impossible not to sing along, and the power of such a huge crowd echoing every line is amazing. The intercut clips are a little too frequent, but it's a good glimpse into how drunk and dirty the Limey crowds can get. I don't think you see too many bare breasts and simulated rogerings at the Pitchfork fest.
Pulp - "Disco 2000"
The videos from Different Class all have a similar, super stylish, Day Glo fop aesthetic, and are all at least moderately enjoyable. This clip, with its inner monologue subtitles and smart cropping, is probably the best executed. In the days leading up to the year 2000 this already popular track was raised to unbearable ubiquity in England, sort of like a Brit version of Prince's "1999". Now, as millenial future gazing is delightfully retro, the waters are safe again.
Pulp - "I Spy"
(Later with Jools Holland, November 1995)
Long portions of this song are basically a dramatic reading, which is a hard thing to pull off mid-song in a compelling manner. Better than usual TV production helps it feel vibrant, but it's Jarvis' show as always. Tons of indie bands mope around, unsure of their feelings, and pining away for the girl down the street. Pulp writes a sadistic epic about getting revenge on a rival by nailing his wife. Pulp wins.
Pulp - "Help the Aged"
I remember being slightly underwhelmed by this, the first single to follow the towering Different Class. I eventually warmed to it's humanitarian premise that you should sleep with old people becasue they can teach you tricks and you're going to die some day anyway. The video's assisted stair climber to the stars is amusing as well.
Pulp - "This is Hardcore"
The heady days of 1997 saw most British bands worth their salt chasing the tail of "Paranoid Android". Pulp's six minute opus came the closest in single song quality. Certainly the dirtiest. The video is wildly underrated and is probably one of the most gorgeous clips ever. EVER.
Bonus MP3's:
Pulp - "Please Don't Worry" (John Peel Session July 1981)
Pulp's first John Peel Show appearance happened after a super gawky 18 year old Cocker slipped the legendary broadcaster a demo tape at a DJ gig. The resulting, previously unreleased, session from way back in 1981 (!) has a post punk tinge to it, but is still catchy despite the lack of the more celebrated working class lounge lizard persona that would elevate Jarvis to fame. This also happened to be the Sheffield lads first time in a proper studio. The band's second Peel session would not happen for another 12 years.
Pulp - "Pencil Skirt" (John Peel Session September 1994)
A more synth driven take on yet another Different Class classic. Man, that album sounded amazing to disgruntled teenage ears.
Pulp - "Can I Have My Balls Back, Please?" (This is Hardcore session outtake)
That's just a good title.
Previously: Jarvis Cocker Celebrates Ten Years of Fighting for Justice by Being a Prick
Tags: Pulp, Jarvis Cocker, Long Blondes, John Peel, Britpop
Posted by Jeff Klingman at October 25, 2006 11:47 AM
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Comments
What I'm dying to see is that "Do You Remember the First Time" short film Jarvis made (not the music video, per se) where he interviews people like Terry Hall and John Peel about losing their virginity. I keep expecting it to show up on YouTube but no dice, or I'm using the wrong search terms.
Posted by: bill p at October 25, 2006 03:49 PM
The annoyance you feel when something isn't on You Tube is monumental. Why is there no early Modern Lovers footage! We feel entitled to see anything that exists now.
Posted by: Jeff at October 25, 2006 04:14 PM
things eventually show up on you tube, you just have to keep going back consistently to sift through the piles. that's how I found the video to eh...smuggler's blues by glenn frye.
Posted by: d at October 26, 2006 10:57 AM
I'd almost forgotten how good the hold Pulp stuff was, thank you! The new Jarvis is soooo good, I was a bit afraid it would disappoint but it didn't.
Posted by: Sinéad at October 30, 2006 05:13 AM
