Reviews (page 2 of 8)
a nivel conceptual esta muy bien! pero no es de mis favs
Super cool band and sound. Never heard of them.
Meh
Some very good songs, but some filler.
This was an interesting listen. Will have to look into their other LPs. Relaxing even if somewhat of a downer lyrically.
I think only knew one of the songs from this album. It was quite enjoyable. Jarvis is always thought provoking.
I'm a pulp guy
Good
08/11/26 This is somewhere between Bowie and Oasis. It works. Favorite Track: Help the Aged
Very emotional britpop/ glam rock reminds me of Suede's "DogMan Star". I really liked the beginning, but it is hard to stay engaged fully with every song feeling like a emotional triumph. 3.5/5- could go higher
Favorite track(s): The Fear, Help the Aged, This Is Hardcore, Sylvia
Not the most inspired listen that I've ever encountered, but a few decent songs smattered throughout. Probably won't ever listen to the whole thing front-to-back again.
Whenever I feel the urge to listen to Pulp I always opt for A Different Class - I suppose that's the scourge of having such an obviously best album that also contains the bands obviously best songs. That said, I really enjoyed the opportunity to revisit this album. It's darker and less accessible, but there are still plenty of pop hooks there and I love how unapologetically themselves Jarvis and the band are.
Pulp doesn’t have the juice, I’m afraid.
Can't really explain why I like this album but I just do. 4 stars or B.
Another Brit pop band I’ve heard of and would seemingly enjoy, but never listened to due to the genre label Gotta say the masses were right about the lyricism because some of these songs dang! A little soul stands out but a little too long imo
6/10 - a good rock/indie/britpop album, has a variety of songs which doesn't strain the ears
This one was pretty good!
I'll say 2.5 - round down because having a 15 minute song where most of it is the same over and over and over is not necessary.
Not super my thing but it’s not mindless either
This was not hardcore.
too many mediocre britpop albums on this list Best Song: Sylvia Rating: 5.5/10 Stars: 3
꽤 괜찮은 노래도 있었고, 그냥 그런 노래도 있어서 전체적으로 평범했던 것 같다. There were some pretty good songs and some that were just average, so overall, it felt like an ordinary experience.
"You're gonna like it, but not a lot" Moody, a bit dark. Deserves more than one listen.
Post brit-pop pulp ist doll toller als erwartet
Was this really hardcore? More like ‘boring’.
Starts strong.
3.5
3.0
Having only known a few of their songs, I was looking forward to listening to this album. A fun listen that I dipped into a second time for some songs while skipping others… Nice to get a deeper dive into some of that Brit pop scene that was gaining so much popularity at the time.
I've listened to Different Class about a thousand times, but I've only listened to this album one other time. It's definitely not as good as Different Class but it's gotta be their second best... or third... or forth? Idk I love Pulp so much! The title track on the other hand, I've listened to probably a million times. Gotta be my favorite Pulp song. Favorite track: This Is Hardcore
This is the sixth album released by English rock band Pulp. Based on the album title I expected some hard rock or heavy metal, but surprisingly the music was artsy rock, with some occasional noises. My only issue was the last track, which has 10 minutes of a one-chord fadeout. That’s not necessary. Otherwise the album was ok.
I like Pulp! This is a good album from a good era. Not quite as good as Different Class, but maybe I've just listened to it less. If I had the same initials as Jesus I would definitely also do a song about it. Highlights: 'This Is Hardcore' (They said the album name!), 'Glory Days' (which is a re-skin of 'Cocaine Socialism' and always made me want a mashup of both) Lowlights: 'Seductive Barry', the last 9 minutes of 'The Day after the Revolution' (byeeee)
Big fan of Pulp and that dirty, perverted mind of Jarvis Cocker. This Is Hardcore is in fact not a hardcore album, but it's still a little different than the sound Pulp's become known for and it's an album I enjoyed, although it's probably a song or two too long.
loved this
In a previous review of a Blur album I wrote: "Never got into the whole Britpop craze - the closest I came was enjoying the Oasis albums. Or maybe loving the Trainspotting soundtrack - yeah, that's probably it." The first track did not sound like the standard Britpop I was expecting, but I also didn't really like it. I can hear what the Apple Music description is talking about when it says this album is "darker" than previous Pulp music. This just isn't for me. I don't hate it, but I don't really like it. My favorite parts of this album were the times when Jarvis Cocker's voice reminded me that this band did "Common People" and I enjoy that video, so that song was playing in my head. Not exactly a ringing endorsement... I will say THIS for it, however: most of the Britpop I have listened to (including the Blur album my quote above was about) has been OK at first but got on my nerves the longer I listened, whereas THIS album I didn't like at first but the more I listened the more it grew on me.
Cinematic and monumental - the existential hangover after the Different Class party. Favourite tracks: This Is Hardcore, The Fear, Sylvia, A Little Soul, Help The Aged, Dishes
Comenzó bien pero nada nuevo
This record was mainly good. I didn't really enjoy some of the "space-y", future sounds that were used frequently. Favourite Track(s): This Is Hardcore, Sylvia Least Favourite Track(s): Party Hard
didn't pay too much attention to it but it was good enough. Nothing really stood out to me, not sure will revisit.
From Wikipedia : “In November 1985, Cocker fell out of a window while trying to impress a girl with a Spider-Man impression and ended up in the hospital, temporarily requiring the use of a wheelchair". That's how hardcore this muppet is.
Of the whole Britpop wave, Different Class, the album before this one, was one of the few I could actually tolerate. It was rockier, more cynical, and had some genuinely inspired moments. Then they followed it up with this, which comes dangerously close to my top 10 worst albums in this damn list.
I really enjoyed the back half of the album. Everything from ‘I’m A Man’ to the end was stellar. Found the first half a little sleepy but the back half transported me into it.
Decent album, decenter album cover. Not a fan of the outro.
listened before
Pulp is a name that I've heard for many many years but afaik had never heard their music before today. I knew they were coming from England so I expected their sound to be kinda Brit-pop/alternative (maybe since I had heard their name most prominently in the 90s), so I assumed I would find this okay and then not think about it. I didn't like anything about it. So many of the songs were so long, and really suffered from not meshing with each other at all in the tracklisting. I'm not opposed to a band messing with different sounds on the album, but these track are truly an incoherent mess together. Cocker's voice apes both a lesser Bowie and Costello, the melodies meander with no real destination, and the meta lyrics didn't do it for me. Will happily never listen to this again.
You know, for an album literally titled "This Is Hardcore", It sure didn't sound very hardcore to me but i don't care, i still think it's a great album. I guess if there is a hardcore aspect to this album, then it would be the guitars as they could be decently heavy at points. The album had some absolutely great melodies throughout all amplified with the great instrumentation. I also thought that Jarvis Cooker's vocals were great here too. The lyrics were also pretty funny at points too, especially the one where Cooker claims to have the same initials as Jesus Christ (which is true if you haven't noticed). Despite the blatant lying with the title, I enjoyed my time with this album quite a lot. Best Song: Party Hard Worst Song: TV Movie
Shit
nice to hear see some 90s britpop on here again after seeing too many 60s folk rock albums. Although I would have preferred to listened to different class or his and hers, I still liked this album, despite not knowing any of the songs from it. I always forget how good Jarvis Cocker is as a vocalist.
It was ok. Standout songs: Party Hard
I always confuse this band with Blur. Listening to this album didn’t help much.
Klinkt teveel 'middle of the road' en ik kan het eigenlijk gewoon niet zo boeiend vinden...
Another post work listen
This is not my favourite britpop album by a long shot. Jarvis Cocker sounds a bit like David Bowie, especially on songs like Party Hard.
Formulaic and boring. And I thought that Oasis sucked. But compared to these guys.... So their formula is to come up with a boring tune, a guy who can't sing, and then repeat it over and over for two discs and 6 minutes for each song. wtf?
Not bad, I like The Fear best
Was not exactly floored by this. Feels like an extremely average album. The singer sounds like Elvis Costello, which didn't help the situation. As if that wasn't enough, it didn't feel hardcore at all, contrary to how it's advertised. 'Seductive Berry' was a cool song (but too long), the rest were a shrug.
My most-listened-to song from this list this year is probably "Disco 2000," after I discovered it on Different Class. Different Class was a stellar album, and I've been on a bit of a Pulp binge ever since we had it on this list earlier this year. That made me interested to see what this album had to offer. I hadn't heard any of the songs on this album before listening to it. It felt a bit like the slower parts of The Wall by Pink Floyd—dark, symphonic, and filled with themes of sex, isolation, and depression. It was very different from the Britpop-era Pulp I knew. I think the songs that worked best leaned more on that older sound, like "Help the Aged" and "Like a Friend." I didn't think it reached the heights of their previous albums, and I don't think it affected me in any meaningful way. I'm going to give it a weak 3.
It was fine but I didn’t finish it all
*Ok musically but some of the slow tempos and long run times made it drag at times
Album art and title > the music
I sure didn't expect any hardcore, but also sure didn't expect to enjoy this half as much as I did. I like this more than some Bowie albums.
I do have to give them props for doing Britpop after the disaster that was Be Here Now. 2/5
ANONIMO. I SUONI NON MI DISPIACCIONO MA SONO...ANONIMI. IL CANTANTE MI SEMBRA IL CLASSICO 'BOB': ANONIMO. A VOLTE SE NE ESCE CON DELLE FRASI A DIR POCO CRINGE. FATICO A TROVARE LA MIGLIORE TRACCIA; DIRO' SEDUCTIVE BARRY ANCHE SE NON LA RIPRODURREI IN NESSUN'OCCASIONE DELLA MIA VITA. SIAMO SOTTO AL MID. 1/5
This is hardcore was not hardcore, but it was a nice alt album
Pretty good blend of electronic sounds and guitar based Rock, but about 2/3 of each album were songs that I just found too slow to get into
I can't get past his voice, it's too weird for me, I probably enjoyed the title track the most
I liked it, had a chill Bowie vibe
Sounds like those Bowie songs I don't like so much. This became bland, but wasn't bad.
I actually liked this a good amount more than I thought I would. Britpop to me can all sound pretty similar and I thought this did a good job of having distinguishing instrumentals and vocals comparatively to other albums I’ve listened to on here. Likes: The Fear; Helped the Aged; This is Hardcore; A Little Soul; Glory Days
Overall Rating - 2.77/5 (5.54/10). Pretty solid, midrange album.
Opening an album by comparing yourself to Jesus is the sort of shit I expected from Jarvis, but it's very good to hear it directly. This album feels a lot like what I imagine reading the weird guy at school's diary would feel like, but worse.
I really enjoyed this! But it still wasn’t a favorite. So it gets a 4.
Mediocre. The singer's voice was just inadequate to me. On top of that, every time a song seemed to be moving in the right direction, it took a turn in the wrong one instead. Not a great band, but not so bad that they deserve a 1. Just don't know why this is on here. 2 stars.
Underrated
This album tastes like cigarettes
Well the title of the album is a bit misleading but the album overall is enjoyable in an 80s or 90s easy listening kind of way.
For all the new wave bands we’ve been getting, this is one of the better ones…
Pretty down the middle rock. Would play a set with u2 i bet
8/10
Album #200 Pulp: This is Hardcore For my 200th album, I am presented with an album from my 2nd favourite band, what a treat. This is Hardcore is the dividing line between the Britpop era and the post-Britpop era. As it is said, Britpop was the night out, and This is Hardcore was the hangover. Pulp prove themselves to be the most forward-thinking and undefinable of the Britpop bands once again, by taking a step back from the romantic His n Hers and the Class consciousness of Different Class, to present a bleak epic about the grimiest parts of life. This album really feels like Jarvis knew the Britpop bubble was blowing up, and his future was uncertain; tracks like Help The Aged, Glory Days, and The Day After The Revolution invoke themes of growing old and being forgotten, with all that remains being the memories of your younger days. The album contains some of Pulp's most euphoric and grand instrumentation, which gives the album a truly epic feel, whilst also containing its noir aesthetic; This is Hardcore really makes you feel like you’re walking down an alleyway late at night with your trenchcoat on and a cigarette lit. What I’ve always loved about Pulp is that they always unabashedly appeal to the scourges of society, those of us who partake in vice and succumb to human inhibition. This album is a comfort for the depressed, addicts, and fiends, who are groups that most artists are too afraid to embrace. For an album whose title track is about filming a porno, it is surprisingly introspective. Man, glam rock just can’t come back soon enough. Best Songs: This Is Hardcore, The Fear, Like a Friend Worst Song: None Score out of 10: 10
It as great as I had hoped. Like a friend is one of my favorites but it’s not on every version of this record? Weird. Really British and interesting lyrics.
Quite annoying music. Didn't like it
dadslop in disguise as something mildly hip and cool
Not my cup of tea
Sounds like a 1990s Roxy Music. It's not for me.
This is most certainly not hardcore. 2.4/5
Well, if you're looking for the next Disco 2000 or Common People this isn't the place. Dour, self-indulgent and sloppy. And whatever that last track is should never be allowed again.
'If you ever get that chimp off your back / If you ever find the thing that you lack.' Oh so spooky, kooky, & dorky, This Is Hardcore, aka Britpop for the Brit snob, the one too cool for Oasis, simultaneously defeats the purpose & upholds the tradition. One thing is clear: this is a record that sounds good, really, really good, & that's probably more than just a matter of production. These blokes know how to play. But another thing is clear: irony's a losing game when it comes to pop music of a certain stripe. There's a whole lot of Bowie, T. Rex, or even their contemporary Suede here, but those chaps had a sincere vision they were chasing. These lads were chasing their own tail. Not unenjoyable - 'A Little Soul' is a strong one - but not my cuppa.
Very fun album with a lot of stylistic diversity. Peaks early with more a more goth-rock/darker sound before moving to brighter glam-rock on the 2nd half, which is good but not as engaging in my opinion. Still a blast to listen to overall with a lot to enjoy. Top tracks: The Fear, Help the Aged, This is Hardcore
This is like the 3rd or 4th album by a band I’ve never heard of on this list that I think I’d enjoy more if there were no words.
Kind of had a H.I.M meets Bowie with some Type O Negative style vocals. It definitely isn't "hardcore" but it was enjoyable.
2.5 - This is not what I expected Pulp to sound like. I liked some of it and disliked a bit of. Most of it was fine.
Not as terrible as the album art portrays it to be
The best moments sound like late 70s Bowie, Bryan Ferry/Roxy Music, etc and the worst sound like The National. That puts it pretty firmly at a 3 for me, as that is the average between the 5 star of the former and the 1 star of the latter, but I did mostly enjoy it.
Я може щось плутаю, але я мабуть ніколи не слухав альбом Pulp. Хоч і звичайно назва гурту була на слуху у зв'язку з бріт-попом. Сам альбом у мене викликає змішані враження. Він звучить ніби ці пісні були написані десь в середині 80х, але аранжування трохи освіжили вже під 90ті роки. Є тут якісь глемові фішки, які я не очікував тут почути. Йому не вистачає хітовості і по-справжньому яскравих моментів. Водночас є хороші пісні і середній рівень досить непоганий.
Ще одна спроба послухати палп з таким само результатом як завжди. Щиро не розумію чому цей гурт став популярним. Але однойменна пісня більш-менш ок, тому поставлю 2.
Hardcore meh. I'll never seek this one out again.
Really liked this one. Was a really nice listen lots of different sounds all real songs big fan
inspired by: david bowie ; inspired: arctic monkeys
I last listened to this album when it came out, it was dull, seemingly endless. Jarvis may be seen as a great lyricist but the tunes don’t cut it, sort of sub Brel, Walker Brothers. They really should have stopped after Common People.
Did nothing for me
I can understand the Pulp enjoyment but it's not my thing.
Not a thing hardcore about this. Not bad though. Better than their other record on here. At best it reminds me of other things I like better: Bowie, U2, Pavement, etc.
Listens: 4 Standout Tracks: Dishes, This Is Hardcore, Like A Friend I liked this a lot more than their other album, Different Class; It reminds me of The Cure'. The blurb on YTM suggests an art rock approach and glam rock influences, but I don't really hear that. When I think glam rock, I think KISS and other hair-metal bands, not whatever this is. But, what the hell do I know. I'm no music expert, even after almost 500 albums down on the List so far. Anyways, top track for me is the titular track, This is Hardcore. Great creeping progressive sound at the beginning of the track with the trumpet and piano. And, all things considered, its pretty explicit... it feels simultaneously clean and dirty.
I bet he was so proud of himself when he came up with the lyrics "I'm not Jesus though I have the same initials"
Good music that I have never heard before. The vocals remind me of David Bowie in a good way. The music is good with a lot of variety, it's catchy and doesn't get boring. Seems like something I would have loved listening to in the 90's but I missed out on it until now. I'm sure I will be listening to this one again and I'm curious about their other work.
I should like Pulp more than I do. I am their prime demographic. I think I'd rather be in Pulp than listen to Pulp.
Having skipped over it altogether, I’m still coming to grips with the term "Britpop" — and releases like this make me think it’s more of a catch-all term than a description of any particular sound. Because I had always assumed Pulp was a rowdy lad band in the vein of Blur or Oasis when that clearly isn’t the case. This is Hardcore has a harrowing autobiographical arc that reminds me of Wall-era Pink Floyd; the title track adds a bleak desperation to a song about carnal desire and objectification. It’s not always the easiest of listens in that way, but Jarvis Cocker is a clever songwriter with a lot more to say than, say, the Gallagher brothers: “I am not Jesus / Though I have the same initials / I am the man / who stays home and does the dishes.” I’ll definitely revisit this one.
I'm sorry, I get Pulp and Blur mixed up. I understand people like them but well... ok
Different class is on the list, and thats the one you need, if at all.
another person naked, yay... One song in: It gave me MUSE vibes Three songs in: Nevermind... Update: Help the Aged??? this is not helping my alleged daddy issues. Five songs in: Now it's giving Deaftones vibes... (not that I listen to Deaftones lmao) This Is Hardcore is not bad... Okay, I'm about to listen to the second to last song (I kinda skipped some because I was getting sleppy). BYEEEEEE wdym the last track is almost FIFTEEN MINUTES??? I'm gonna put that one while I shower lmaooooo
First, I'm like 80% positive every song on this album was written with one hand. Anyway, it's fine. There wasn't anything terrible, but nothing really stood out until the last two songs, The Day After the Revolution and Like a Friend, and then the album was done. Those two were great, the rest I've already forgotten about.
I will preface this by saying that I do actually like this album. But I’ll also say that as soon as it was over I went back and listened to the other Pulp album on this list, different class. And it’s aptly named because they really are in a different class. There’s just a lack of energy on this one that you didn’t have in their first album. That’s the difference between a 3 and 4 here for me.
Not bad but nothing special
01) The Fear - 9,0 02) Dishes - 8,0 03) Party Hard - 8,0 04) Help the Aged - 9,0 05) This Is Hardcore - 9,5 06) TV Movie - 8,0 07) A Little Soul - 8,0 08) I'm a Man - 8,5 09) Seductive Barry - 8,0 10) Sylvia - 8,0 11) Glory Days - 8,0 12) The Day After the Revolution - 7,5 TOTAL: 8,29 (83/100) Current ranking: 207/945
Not bad. Not sure why, but I thought this would be more hardcore or punk, but was way off on that assumption. Mildly entertaining, probably not something I’ll come back to. 3/5
Lyrics are....a lot of male viewpoint based in sexual bias and misogynistic social trends, but the musicianship is quality
This was a nice change of pace from the last few albums I got... The Residents (awful) and Lightning Bolt (putrid). So perhaps it got a bit of an artificial bump but I enjoyed it a lot nonetheless.
Overall not a bad album, not a fan of pulp so ok
I knew some of the songs, but I had never listened to them together as an album. Pretty consistent as a whole, dark and nice. Easy five stars for me.
Pulp is the band I miss most often on song quiz. Simply put it's just good 90s alternative. I'm sure it's huge overseas but here in the United States they definitely went under the radar. I don't know. I feel like it's almost as if somebody decided to take with the pixies were doing but apply to late 90s pulp fiction/fear and loathing vibes. You should listen to it. It's good. I may actually check out more of what they did.
not too bad. similar to may other albums on the list tho
Pretty solid! The title track really stood out as something with a lot of energy, and the other songs didn’t quite keep it up
Ne znam zašto, ali sam očekivala više. Nije mi ništa napravio album nažalost. 2/5, 3/10
Принаймні я їх знаю)
2.9 2x
Another album that was just fine. I was really trying to pay attention to the lyrics and understand the hype, but it did nothing for me. Musically pretty good, but I never got why Pulp was a big deal.
Provocative album and album Common people:good song Not great but not bad. Part of the Britpop scene. Average album: three stars
Un disco que hace honor al nombre de la banda, con una portada impactante. Contiene, junto con Babies, la canción que más me gusta de ellos: Help the Aged. No, no es Common People. The Fear sienta las bases del disco, sonidos más duros, oscuros, letras densas. No son Suede, son Pulp, y la fiesta Brit se ha acabado. Ya Radiohead lo habían anunciado un año antes con Ok Computer. Aún les quedaría tiempo para un disco tan bueno como We Love Life y aún para un sorprendente retorno con el aclamado More.
I love this record more than any other Pulp album. It sums up the times, and the state of the band in better ways that any one else did at the time.
Listening session: june 7th, while making dinner Listened to before: no Thoughts: i can enjoy some Britpop from time to time, but this was not it for me. It’s not necessarily bad but it’s so average that it’s forgettable Favourite tracks: The Fear & I’m A Man
Love them so much
Didn't do it for me.
Pulp pulp pulp pulp pulp pulp pulp. Non stop references to smoking cigarettes. They’re soo fucking cool, this album is fantastic, moody, reflective, crescendos everywhere. Songs that are all so well constructed. Come on 4.0/5.0 Best Song: Sylvia
Superb album, superb song writer, one of Englands very best. Although i think this is probably their third best album. Best Track: Help the aged
Lyrics were awful
This is Shit.
have not fully unraveled this, but good?
I mean
mid
This album gave me something I didn't know I was craving: an album where the narrator in nearly every song is an absolute shithead, in completely different ways. I didn't go into this expecting to hear a deadbeat dad ballad, but I was into it. favourite songs: The Fear, Help The Aged, This Is Hardcore
Gear: ZMF Auteur Classic LTD Shedua Artwork: 📹🍌🍑 Production: 🔉📏🥱 Music: 🔁🎸🇬🇧 Rating: 😏(😏)/5
If someone wanted to listen to a poppy, melodramatic David Bowie rip off this is it. Not an interesting album, outside if a few songs. 2/5
Yllätti todella positiivisesti. Pulp oli entuudestaan tottakai tuttu bändi ja monta biisiä listalla, mutta tämä taisi olla eka kokonainen albumi, minkä niiltä kuuntelin. Oli monta hyvää biisiä, jotka laitoin lopulta myös omalle listalle.
Katoin et tuli pulp ja luulin että ei voi olla huonoa musiikkia. Tämä kuitenkin yllätti. Ei uppoa itellr ei sitten ollenkaan. Side note: arvostelut jäänyt vähön lyhyeksi ja pari kertaa jäänyt kokonaan kuuntelematta ku ollu nii hirveedti ohjelmaa lähiaikoina. Nyt pakko tsempata
Estuvo entretenida, me cuesta saber si fue algo promedio, o un poco sobresaliente
Vocals were just right, music sounds nostalgic. I listened to this on a sunny morning at 6am and it was perfect.
There wasn't anything here that I really disliked, except for maybe the length. Pulp definitely could have gotten the idea across with a much shorter album, but other than that, this was decently good. I really enjoyed the vibe of a few of these songs and will definitely come back to them! Favorites: A Little Soul, Sylvia, The Day After The Revolution
Pulp is a big blindspot for me, but plenty of people whose music opinions I respect really love them. This was pretty good, but didn't particularly win me over. But I can see how they could. I know this isn't considered their best so look forward to checking out Different Class to see how they are at their peak. Also boy do I hate CD era bloat. 70 minutes??? You kidding me?? Say what you will about what truly has the best audio quality, but at least LPs made bands be ruthless in their editing.
Help the aged alone bumps from 3 stars to 4 stars
Dollar store British rock, "We have Bowie at home" type of listen. Going in blind, it is wildly unimpressive, not leaving really any good impression, first or otherwise.
I like a bit of Pulp, but I'm not a huge fan. There are some great tracks out there, most on other albums though. Couple of good ones here, but nothing too amazing.
Britpop is often such a Blur, I mean a Pulp Normally, when I listen to an album a second time, I hear things that are new, and it softens my initial reaction. Not so with this record. My overall impression was, "Meh."
#952. This is not hardcore. This is the very antithesis of hardcore. The nand name is accurate though, this is about as interesting as clump of wet paper. 2/5: why does this exist?
A fine Brit Pop. Did we need another fine Brit Pop album? Who’s to say? Me. We didn’t.
Nothing really special but I listened all the way through, so take that for what it's worth.
This was one of those albums you look at and underestimate. I was not familiar with Pulp so I had no idea what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised. It was very later-Bowie-esque. This is Hardcore could have come off Heathen. A Little Soul felt like Elvis Castillo, the good album. I think my favorite track was I’m A Man because of its dynamic flow and urgency in the lyrics. I’m coming back to this album again. I dig it!
Random thoughts: * I think the lead singer, Jarvis Cocker, is alright. I even saw him for a minute at Pitchfork Music Fest in the aughts. * However, I've cracked one of the weak links of 1001. Dude has a thing for male crooners. Pulp/Jarvis, Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave, others that I can't remember their names now. But this list is way too heavy on male crooners. * I thought this is hard core meant music. But after listening to the song he's talking about porn. Oh my! * Anyway, there is no Common People hit track to carry this album. We did not need two Pulp albums on this list. * Skip this one and listen to Common People if you need some Pulp. Unless crooner guys are your thing, then feast away.
that was a mood
I liked the middle third of the album the most as before track 5/6 I wasn't impressed.
+1 for putting effort into lyrics but overall ick
Not bad. Spotify was being weird, not showing ANY Pulp, so I watched/ listened on YouTube. Then I try Spotify again, and there it is! (This way I can see the lyrics). Anyway - it was okay for a while, but I think they tried to put too much on the album, and it became ... boring? IDK, too much.
I'm a man! Great song, classic Britpop reminding me of Bowie etc.
Yeah they were doin something, alright.
why is this on here?
I quite liked this album, which surprised me because my faithful 1001 challenge buddy hated it (and she is an awesome barometer!). It was sooooo like a David Bowie album that I needed to do a little research to find out if it was just me that noticed. This was the best quote I found "Cocker sounds most like Bob Geldof when he is trying to sound like David Bowie." I know that the album cover is controversial, its unfortunate that it was probably chosen for all the wrong reasons. Publicity seeking should not be at the expense of objectifying anyone. That said, id probably spin it up again!
Edit: after chatting with my challenge mate I decided to give this one another go. Maybe I was a little hasty and harsh. I stick by that it's not as good as Different Class, but I think maybe I was in a bad mood when I listened to it and Jarvis Cocker was giving me the shits, the music is ok, just don't listen to most of the words. Well, I know this is about to pop up in my 'controversial' list! I loved 'Different Class' - I loathed 'This is Hardcore' Has there been an album which is more punchable? I feel dirty, and not in a good way. Jarvis Cocker, you better go change your bedsheets and soak the precum stains off your undies. Jeeze. Also the cover is creepy.
liked The Fear and Glory Days
Never really liked Jarvis Cocker’s style of singing. Also didn’t know this album from before, but I gave it a chance. It’s better than I thought it would be. Not great, but quite good. Favourites: This Is Hardcore, Help The Aged and The Fear
I didn't get anything out from this album. To me, it feels like an album that tries to be artsy, intimate and deep but ends up being very standard. Maybe standard is not the best word to use, as there are some elements that make the album a bit particular. Is just that I don't find anything here to be truly interesting. The deep voice, while kind of unique, can be a bit grating in some instances, and the instrumentation is diverse, with horns, orchestration and anything that can be found in britpop band from that time; but doesn't do anything particularly remarkable. The pace of this album is also very static, There is nothing really energetic nor anything super slow and touching. It sits in a very moody mid tempo that gets a bit dragging, except for occasional tempo changes in the choruses that also don't really elevate the spirit of the songs that much. I'm probably describing it as a really bad experience, but is not. If I heard the songs individually, I wouldn't mind them, but hearing them all together for 1 hour is too much for me.
Mixed genius and some mid
I always confuse Pulp with Blur and I'm like "I love the woo-hoo" song! Then I realize this is not that band. This band has more of a Bowie/Floyd influence than their peers IMHO. The back half of the ablum has much more depth and what feels like a bit of Primal Scream, The The influence as well. Seductive Barry is an epic track. This remaster is headphone music. It's big and grand at times, while feeling intimate at others. Since I brought up the deluxe reissue, I ended up with a 15 minute version of The Day After the Revolution (Long Outro) and two songs in between that one and the original last track Like a Friend. I skipped those two. This album is a grower. The album should have ended on Revolution.
Can we stop doing the intentional feedback thing?!
- Absolutely no expectations going into this - woah, that ending to “the fear” was wild - Vocals sorta sound like Lou Reed
Liked the combine soldier feature on the last track
Not their best album but it’s their 2nd best. It apparently was mostly written in a strip club. That’s what I’ve heard and I will forever believe it. Choice cut: This is Hard Core
Not what I expected but was a nice listen. Ebbed and flowed differently throughout, which made it interesting. Perfect style for my day
Masterpiece, easy 5. My favourite of pulp's albums.
More of this
It’s fine? Some parts got me going, other parts I really didn’t enjoy. I think that’s my overall opinion on Brit pop in general.
Gibt iwie bisschen david bowie vibes Basically Weird indie rock. Kinda dig it Favs: the Fear, TV movie, the day after the Revolution
Brilliant, a classic of the genre
Most Brit Pop does not appeal to me at all. Pulp is no exception. This is lifeless and boring.
Meh.
Album 191. This Is Hardcore — Pulp (1998) Well, I like this album more than previous one. This album is more cinematic, dark and gorgeous. Still bad, but a little better. I think if David Lynch were a bad director, he would use it in Mulholland Drive. I read reviews before listening about similar sound to some Bowie music. It’s actually true a little, but much worse because it feels like a cheap imitation. Overall, I still prefer *no pulp* 3/5 Liked: — I'm A Man
Solid
I am aware of the existence of the band called Pulp and I have 1 song liked by them on Spotify - the song called "Common People" which looks like it was on the album before this one. But I have never done a deep dive into their stuff. Thoughts while listening... I noticed that he sometimes sounds like David Bowie. BUT on the whole, his voice tends to be very annoying to me. The first time through it was really getting on my nerves. The deep voiced, talky singing style can be pretty grating. Combined with some of the lyrics, it definitely comes across as very whiny to me. I ended up liking 2 songs - "Sylvia", and "Glory Days" I had to look up who is considered "Brit Pop" and I realized I never really listened to much Brit Pop. Of the bands that are considered Brit Pop - the 2 for which I have the most "liked" songs are Blur and Oasis - but it's really not that many songs with about 10 each. I also read that Supergrass is considered part of this genre and I REALLY don't like them. Even the one song I previously liked by Pulp ("Common People") always felt like a one hit wonder kind of band with a quirky song - I had never realized they were supposedly considered so highly. Oh well - it was interesting to listen to even if most of it didn't grab me. and now I have 3 Pulp songs that will show up on my playlists instead of only 1. Small steps. Liked songs on Spotify: 2/12 Rating: 1/5
Started out ok, went downhill from there. 2 stars
This iis my 2d Pulp album after "Different Class" and they are a band that after listening makes me believe that I should have paid more attention to 30 years ago. This is a horny sounding album but oddly enough the titular song is not the best example of the horniness. This iis a well made album. There is a variety of thpe of song and everyhthing sounds good tegether.
I liked this more than Different Class, which was surprising to me. I enjoyed the more glam elements of this album, and it also felt like it had more range. If I'm putting on a Pulp album in the future, I'm reaching for this first.
After listening to Different Class some time ago, I was ready to enjoy this, but actually it just washed over me. It's recognisably Pulp, but there was just nothing for me to get my teeth into. A bit disappointing.
Jarvis Cocker is easily the most acerbic of the 90s Brit Pop bunch. This record isn’t as much fun as Different Class but it’s way better than 99% of the Brit Pop on this list.
Never listened. Expectations: Mid - Verdict: Good - This opening track is immediately much darker and more gothic that previous Pulp I have heard. It matches the cover quite well. The title track is the next one that jumps out as a highlight after a few decent but not particularly special tracks. Sylvia is a great song. There is certainly a heavier art-rock/Bowie influence than Different Class and the long outro of the closing track sums up that spirit pretty well. An enjoyable listen.
He is sleaze in human skin and no matter how good his records might be, I just can't. To top it off it sounds like a sex starved rip off of Bowie.
It's fine, but it doesn't really strike me as essential.
This was my first time ever listening to Pulp and I was very impressed. This might not be a 10/10 but imo it’s def better than a 4/5. There was so much going on here. Almost every song was a unique journey with verses that were in many cases even more rewarding than their choruses. So many layers and tones. Big fan of this one. Excited to dig in to more Pulp.
I get the love for Common People, but this one was kind of a drag.
Pulp's a group that I appreciate and applaud for always going for it -- they build big crescendos and the releases of that tension are often anthemic. I do feel like I have to commit several listens before really connecting with any of it. for my ears, there just isn't much immediacy from most of these songs, and that's okay. not everything needs to be ear candy.
Why doesn’t America produce any frontmen like Jarvis Cocker, or Morrissey, or even that guy from King Krule? I feel like it has something to do with the UK’s tabloid culture, but idk. There’s a PHD thesis for you sociologists out there.
I hear a lot of David Bowie inspiration on this, but still overall kind of mediocre to me. For some reason the singer wants you to know his initials are the same as Jesus’, but to paraphrase a better band he doesn’t look a thing like Jesus and he certainly doesn’t talk like a gentleman. Finding out fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be isn’t new - lyrics seemed hollow and trite to me. 2.5+⭐️
oOoOoH bet this is some edgy '90s bs the fear--yes that's exactly what it is. got a different flavor than your standard grunge. slight british accent showing up. ope is the a TARDIS i hear? the dishes--is that a jesus song? i don't think it counts.. so counter shall remain at 2 ok going good, this isn't too bad. i like the mundanity. almost as if belle & sebastian tried grunge? it's trying to be edgy and over the top and cheesy, but it's something going for it seductive barry--oh not a fan of this one tho. and of course it's 8min long
This is most definitely not Hardcore music. I am very disappointed since that was what I was expecting from the name of the album and the year it came out. That being said, the music was okay, though there's definitely some dissonance between the lyrics and the music. Would give 2.5, unsure if I'm gonna round up or down.
The most hardcore boring horny pulp album that’s slow but still better than Oasis even tho not one single banger on this bland bunch of Bowie-esque music stands out.
This was boring and long (over an hour). I didn’t know any songs. It wasn’t the worst thing I’ve heard, but it shouldn’t have been included on this list.
Forgettable drama-core
I believe this was my first Pulp album listen from this website and I’m not sure if it is for me personally. I don’t always enjoy sing talking which I feel like the lead singer does a lot on this album and when he sings he is like off pitch which is offputting to me. Some of these songs have like a weirdly horny vibe to them and the lyrics can be a bit strange. I can see why some people would like this album but personally I wasn’t vibing with it. Maybe I need to give it another chance someday!
Not as hooky or poppy as their best stuff. Really well produced and great sounding, just not that memorable for me.
I like it but its no Different Class
Maybe my favourite Pulp album - slightly darker and grubbier than different class.
Pulp son otro ejemplo de grupo heredero de todas las cosas que me flipan de los 70 y 80, sobre todo ingleses, ero aportando también su propia movida. Very good.
Broadly unenthused.
I love Pulp, but their output can be hit and miss. There are more misses than hits on here.
My favourite Pulp album. Thank God a band like Pulp exists to save Britpop.
Це 2,5. Альбом має свою енергетику, але якогось прям захоплення не викликає
I don't mind some tracks on this, but I don't see why it's on the list.
some awesome instrumentals but man those vocals... too much
Not my fav but I enjoyed the album well enough.
Meh
could not stand this dudes voice
Somehow Pulp has avoided me over the years. Well not anymore. Loved this immediately and will likely be listening to it a lot from here on out. Can't wait to explore the rest of their catalogue. So many good songs here. An easy 5.
Did not enjoy this album. The singer’s style turned me off. Made me think of someone trying to be Tom Waits but not having the unique voice or writing capability to pull it off.
not bad but not good. honestly, kinda boring. 3.3
Jarvis is so dramatic!!! 3 o 4 joyas
This is the first time I've listened to this album start to finish. There are some definite R.E.M. vibes, as well as Velvet Underground, and Bowie going on here, and I really like it. The single "Help the Aged" is probably one of the weaker songs on the album, in my opinion. It make me wonder what the record company was thinking.
Kinda neat to see others in the community pick up on the Bowie wannabe vibe. This is like the WWE version of EWC hardcore. It's milquetoast. Terry Funk hot poker it is not.
Didn't hate it. Didn't love it, either. It's definitely a Pulp record.
This wasn't very hardcore. And it was not impressive to me. It wasn't anything bad, it was just unremarkable and not what I expected from the title. The title track does have a nice build to it and a good finale, but the rest of the album doesn't really match its quality.
This was tough to get through
Digging the moodiness
That NINE-MINUTE-LONG synth outro really encapsulated what annoyed me about this album
Not as hardcore as I thought - in a good way ;)
i don't think i needed to hear more than one pulp album
Decidedly NOT hardcore. I mean, good stuff, but does Pulp REALLY need to be on this list twice? No. 2+
Lacks the fun and joy of Different Class, but I guess that's the point. Very dark and moody, but with odd naughty lyric that reminds you this is a Pulp record.
Я не знаю, что происходит. Мне не понравилось, но я послушал этот альбом 4 раза. Пока что 3. Что-то в нем есть, что меня задело, я ничего не понимаю.
Интересный голос, даже прикольная музыка в The Professional, но этого не хватило, чтобы я их полюбил
This was a brilliant next step after Different Class, with a darker, more morbid approach. Jarvis does particularly great in this sleazy enviroment, especially in the tracks such as The Fear, which require a pretty big range, both vocally and emotionally. Kudos to the rest of the band as well, everyone leaves a special mark at a certain point here. Still, it's not quite as consistent as one would expect a Pulp album to be at this point. There is a decent number of tracks I tend to skip nowadays. However, the highlights are some of my favourite tracks of the decade, so it evens out overall. Favourite track: This Is Hardcore
Literally nothing was hardcore. Very misleading, and worse, incredibly dull.
NO. No, it's not. This is as far from hardcore as you could possibly get. This is the hardcore that someone produces when they're trying not to offend their lovely third grade teacher, Mrs. Silas. She always said you were a good boy with so much potential. This is hardcore made for proper polite British people. Even the song that is titled "This Is Hardcore", about hardcore sex, is as hardcore as a nursery rhyme. It's not offensive music, it's music afraid of being offensive. This is the musical equivalence of walking into a clothing store, finding an awesome leather jacket, finding that it fits perfectly and you look GOOD in it. Stylish. Rakish. Dangerous. Then you hand it back to the salesgirl, apologize, and slink out of the store embarassed because you have NO BUSINESS wearing a cool leather jacket. This isn't an album about someone trying to be dark and hardcore. This is an album about someone pretending to be hardcore while being afraid that someone will think poorly of him. And that dodgy crap with "The Day After The Revolution" where it just goes on and on with the pseudo-digital static? What the hell was up with that? If you're going to "hide" a track, just do it like other people and put dead silence in there. Come on, do better. My rating: 2/5
Can one be racist against Brit Pop? If so I'm the Grand Wizard!
This album does not deserve that cover or that name. But it’s better than Mariah Carey.
This list has way too much Britpop. Do we really need multiple Pulp albums? Different Class surprised me in that it was better than the average Britpop album. This one - is exactly like the average Britpop album. One really good song (the title track in this case), a couple of slightly above average songs, and a bunch of filler (with the added bonus in this case of a couple of annoying songs too). One Pulp album was enough.
Some really fantastic songs, some snoozers.
This album is actually pretty good, and it has this weird way of slowly making you attach to it even when you don’t expect to. While listening I felt a mix of longing, attachment, and that heavy retrospective kind of love — like looking back at something that hurt but you still can’t let go of. There’s a lot of neediness in the lyrics, and some lines feel like they were written just to fit the melody rather than coming from the heart. The mid-tier lyrics hold it back a bit for me. Jarvis and the band are clearly trying to channel that dramatic, theatrical Bowie/Roxy Music glam vibe with the big strings, cinematic production, and swaggering delivery, but it doesn’t always feel natural — sometimes it comes off a little forced or overdone. Still, by the end of the record you start to see a bit of light, some hope and courage peeking through the darkness, and that shift actually works well. It’s not their brightest or catchiest work, but once it clicks, the whole thing sticks with you. Solid album that rewards a few listens.
Meh nothing really here for me
Uuh, how scandalous to have a naked made up blonde on the cover and “Hardcore” in the title, how pornographic! I’d rather say “This Is Boring”.
7/10… brit pop / art rock / *1998
5/10
Gosh, compared to albums Ive been listening to recently, this is deathly dull. Dont think it's terrible per se, just boring white boy/dad music.
This definitely is not harcore, this is mediocre. 3/5
I didn’t like the sound or lyrics
Better than I was expecting but you’ve gotta be joking with that almost 15 minute song
Haiku about Pulp: Don’t try to be Bowie or Elvis Costello
In only knew Help The Aged before coming into this album and I’ve always disliked it. Turns out that the best song on the album and the rest are bland. The awful lyrics ics aren’t as endearing as they were with Different class.
I want to like pulp, but they make it difficult
Never got in to brit pop when it arrived, and Pulp was definitely not a band I listened to if I listened to it at all. I felt the production of this album was pretty terrible. Granted I listened from Spotify in my car, but the vocals were so muddy and low sound that I had trouble picking it up. All in all this is what I feel about most brit pop. Just... alright.
I was previously familiar with Pulp but nothing from this album. This is a rock album, I guess it would be considered Britpop. It's fine, but nothing particularly stands out to me, although the vocals walk a fine line between grating and very solid. I would listen again but not in any rush to do so.
I know, everyone loves pulp. I could never got too into them.
I liked this more than I thought I would. I quite liked Different Class but cant really say that I know a lot of Pulp’s work. This album was not what I expected. I was expecting something a little heavier and less Brit poppy. I’m not sure why. It’s a good album but not one I think I would really play again. And it’s about 25 minutes too long. 3.5/5 rounding down because of the length.
Classy, lyrical
The last knockings of Brit Pop and it shows. This lacks the dynamism and excitement of what went before, and sounds a bit sad and rambling. Perhaps that was what was intended
A Different Class was so good that subsequent albums were always going to be difficult.
My admiration for Jarvis Cocker is rooted mainly in his preparedness to bear his arse in the face of Michael Jackson's hubris. Not for his music. So you could have knocked me down with a feather when I realised he had 2 (count them) albums on the 1001. And having listened to this album twice, just to be sure, I'm still none the wiser why. Without the banging singles of Different Class to anchor it, This is Hardcore slowly disintegrates into a soup of art school artifice. I get some people will like it, but it's not for me. 2*
A Little Soul is a top tune
It's like if Robbie Williams, Radiohead, and Joy Division had a child
les musiques sont bien et j'ai l'impression qu'elles me rappellent qqchose mais j'arrive pas à mettre le doigt dessus
wow. Underwhelming to say the least.
This was okay. Some of the songs were better than others.
Britpop royalty, the highs are very high the standard is very standard.
this was a darker and more intense record to their critically acclaimed Different Class, but this was a good step in the right direction for the i think this was a really well made album with a good idea around it, class
2.5
After the super high, mega hit of Different Class, This Is Hardcore is kinda like the hangover, it's raw and a bit bleak. Forget the party vibes, this one dives into the dark side, anxiety, feeling alone, the whole deal. Jarvis Cocker ditches the catchy tunes for something more moody and introspective, all self reflection. It's got these cool, orchestral sounds, but it still feels kinda cold, like the end of a long run for fame. It's got this nihilistic vibe, with some Bowie-esque glam and art rock thrown in, and they don't care about being on the radio. It's not always easy to listen to. It's ambitious, a bit much at times, and it definitely makes you think. But that's what makes it such a great post-Britpop album. Tracks like "The Fear" and the title track are super intense, showing a band dealing with loss, and it's honest even if it's not always comfy. It's Pulp at their most grown-up and real about getting older and feeling let down.
Too much drama too much oozing out the lyrics, too much. It reminded me of the Twilight series (plus he sounds like a vampire). In the beginning it was fine, it was a little emo over the top but fine, by the end I had hear them drone on and one overly dramactic like and I just wanted to scream "Just be done already, bite her!" That is how I felt, just be done already
Great band! The only ones that I didn't like on this album were TV Movie, Little Soul, and Seductive Barry because those drag a bit. Liked the rest.
Pulp really has a way of growing on a person. I’m still not a super fan, but I’ve found a deep appreciation for their song structures and unique, dramatic sense of style. It didn’t occur to me how much they are indebted to David Bowie until I heard Party Hard. This album may hold a slight edge overall to Different Class, though that houses Common People, which is definitely one of the best songs of the 90’s. 4.5/5
I'm often not excited for some of the repeat artists we get in this project, but give me all the Pulp! I still have more than 200 albums before completing this wild ride, but I can pretty much guarantee they will be the best thing to come out of this project for me. I went from barely knowing of them to them easily being in my top five bands. And I saw them live because of this project too, which was an amazing show. Band gushing aside, this album is also awesome. He's such a talented songwriter, and I love the drama he sings with as he takes us through all his midlife crises and existential dreads and lost loves. He delivers it all in a way that still feels fun and luscious and sultry. I also love how almost every song builds into its own epic crescendo. Just when you think you’re getting a more subdued song, BAM. They bring such an elevated energy to everything they touch. I like Different Class better than this, but this still gets a 5, because Different Class is a 6.
Dig it, need a closer listen. Felt like The National was at least somewhat inspired by this.
below avg
Not hardcore but inoffensive I guess
Not bad but not especially memorable
This is much too poppy and synth-driven for me. There are some good songs but overall, this isn't a record I would revisit anytime soon. I can say without a trace of irony, this has an AMAZING album cover.
Very good.
A bit underwelmed
Actually a pretty good new discovery for me. Pleasantly surprised
heard of this band but never listened before. thought this was awesome.
Hadn't heard of this before and enjoyed it.
This isn’t my kind of music
Didn't zone out except for the last song. Was a long ass song. Interesting lyrics.
First song was alright which got me excited, but then nothing special after
Loved it. Could easily listen to this again
Sad Jarvis is still great Jarvis.
Þyngri en Different class en samt mjög góð.
This is Brit Pop's last wave of brilliance before its current resurgence
I liked this more than i thought i would based on the first couple songs and i’d like to listen again coz it feels like there was something fun happening here i didn’t quite reach but i can’t lie i was pretty tempted to skip knowing what was next so take it all with a grain of salt.
I love Pulp! I think I’m a Man was my fave.
Great album! I was a little bit hesitant at the start because it didn’t have any of the Pulp songs I knew on there and the first seemed more experimental/less accessible. But I really liked this. Also Pulp still out here releasing great songs in 2026! My favourites were: Sylvia, Glory Days, TV Movie and A Little Soul
This is really great. I love the evident Bowie influence. Britpop has never been my favourite genre, but I’ve always enjoyed the Pulp that I’ve listened to (even if it’s just Different Class). I’m glad that I listened to more of them because these songs have really well constructed drama to them. They just sonically build (or sometimes don’t) in the background and it tells a very nice little musical story.
A very good album with a provocative cover and title. I could use a deeper dive into Pulp, but my feel is this is slightly less enduring than Different Class, but still worthy of classic status.
Just another pulp album. Ok