Reviews (page 3 of 8)
Quite melodramatic and very 80s
Nice listen
This was my first Pulp album, and I really enjoyed it. I liked the slow moodier tone, and there’s a kind of sleazy tone I quite liked. The arrangements are pretty lush, and some are quite cinematic. Can’t really explain why, I just quite liked this.
An album that I really can't take at face value.
Pulp Rules. I wish I liked them more. Sick Jeff Rosenstock Cover.
I rather liked this album.
I feel like this one did a decent job "closing the door" on 90s Britpop and set the stage for some of the indie rock/pop that emerged on the scene around this time. Did really like the grooves on this one.
Weird. I know I've never heard this album(I've also never heard of the band), yet, it sounds so familiar. Maybe it's because this is supposed to be how British 1990s Hard Rock music sounds like. Really, that's fine with me. Favorite Track: "Help The Aged".
It's good, but a bit hard to give too high a mark.
I really like Pulp's sound, they may fall under the Britpop branding but they aren't anything like Oasis or Blur, very lush pop songs, interesting lyrics, and Jarvis makes for a great front man.
Sheesh, more 90s britpop….**jerkoff motion**
Quite good!! I like Pulp… this is hardcore? Ok!
I enjoy statements... im sorta done with the question... no more questions!! just statements!!!
I never heard of that band. Good songs. Good album.
Too long to be any good
Not up there with Different Class, and also not in Fiver territory with His n Hers (which I do hope comes up). But still bloody good, can’t get enough of Jarvis. Technically my favourite Pulp song is on the deluxe edition of this as well. Simpsons: No
Some good songs on here, but not as good as Different Class.
I can't decide whether I find that Seductive Barry song hilarious or horrifying.
Dit album heeft mij echt verrast. Ik vond het veel toffer om naar te luisteren dan ik dacht. 1 minpuntje: (bijna) alle nummers bezitten echt zeer toffe passages, maar er is er (denk ik) geen dat stand houdt in zijn geheel, altijd wel ergens waar ze de bal laten vallen :/
I'm checking out at track 5. I have already listened to another Pulp album, which I rated poorly. This is worse. Awful, in fact. I can't believe there's two by this band on the list ⭐.75
Is nice. Had the pleasure of seeing Pulp a few weekends ago. They've still got it after how many decades. Title track off this one went particularly hard.
I did not enjoy the first half of this at all. But the second half kind of rules!
Little torn on this one, but landing 3. Pretty cool moments in here and some funny and thought provoking lyrics, but in the end I think the bit is a little too silly. I see the Kinks similarities but I think I need the arrangements to carry the day and the humor to blend in. Pulp firmly on the radar though.
One of the best albums in the 'wry songwriter' tradition that we've gotten. Silly but with flashes of intelligence and insight. I like rock best when its from a larger than life persona, and this guy's is so specific and defined that he completely won me over. It's almost like the wryness and goofy, Jaggeresque sexuality allows for the more earnest bits to hit home that much harder and without seeming sentimental/pandering (read the lyrics to 'a little soul,' about the singer's dad, for an example. It's completely earnest, but when you throw in the element of his delivery and persona, it doesn't feel maudlin or even angry). Pulp to me sounds like a combo of the Kinks (with ability to tell concise, stories), Bowie (the louche bisexual cocksman) and Elvis Costello (witty, occasionally tone-deaf) but with a 90s irony update. Prior to this album I'd only heard 'common people' which is an almost perfectly written song in its cohesion and its balance of humor and poetry (how its all about fucking an annoying rich girl until he hits you with the line "you'll never know what it feels like to see your life slip out of view"). But this album is less cheeky while still being humorous, and takes itself just a little more seriously in a way that works for me. Anyway, all to say I was pretty blown away by this. Best songs were The Fear, A little soul, Sylvia, Help the Aged (is it about fucking old people, hard to tell) but the whole thing works so well together I wouldn't scrap anything. Anyway, how much I loved the songwriting on this album had me thinking - we don't really have 'wry' as a tradition in american songwriting do we? Best I can come up with is jokey country singers like John Prine? Hank Williams? Springsteen has moments of lyrical cleverness, I guess, but for the most part its almost like our rockers take themselves too seriously to be self-deprecating. We're either just meathead idiot rockers (Van Halen), pissed off emo boys (cobain, Eddie Vedder) or druggie poets (everyone from the 60s). Is wryness un-american? Where's the Mark Twain of American Rock? I guess it makes sense that of all the Brit-pop of the 90s, Pulp is the one that never really crossed over. Still, in my view, they were heads above the rest of that genre.
Not horrible, but I guess I wasn’t clearly finding the line between humor and/sarcasm and just plain old lyrics. Maybe thats the point? The music wasnt that great
So much britpop on this list. This is at least more bearable than most of the stuff from the 80s.
Pulp is an odd creature. Over the years as various Pulp records come out the challenge is really what kind of record are you going to get. Jarvis is to the 90s as Robert Wyatt was to the 80s. More British than Britain you never know how a record will sit with you particularly as a listener from across the pond. This is Hardcore is a sad fucking record. Not because it is bad - it isn’t. It’s sad because it is an album filled with morose observations about life as a middle aged person who has just enough experience with life to recognize the slow descent into oblivion. The Gear, Dishes and Help The Aged set a sonic and lyrical tone for the record, which, in my honest assessment, is the best Pulp records up until their recent return. At time there are interesting diversions on this record such as I’m A Man which captures just enough Bowie/Bolan/Roxy moments to be fun. To be fair, Pulp always were Glam adjacent but that is fully realized on this record of mellow glam. Seductive Barry is the full realization of Jarvis’ Robyn Hitchcock/ Pat Fish (Tje Jazz Butcher) fascination. This is the highlight of this record for me. 8:31 of lounge lizard music with Jarvis almost conquering his paranoia largely examined in the first 2/3 of this record. I actually like this record better than Different Class which was their hit record. The themes are certainly darker - pornography (This is Hardcore), Drugs (Fear) and finding fame and the resulting disillusionment (Glory Days). Closing track, The Day After The Revolution, could have been left off the record which is perhaps the long outro version is edited down from 14:56 to 5:52 on bonus track releases. Rest assured though, I listened to the entirety of the track as part of the amazing discipline it takes to listen to a full album every day with fresh ears and attuned to the rationale for inclusion on this list. Bye Bye. 4/5
This album was moody, dark and fascinating. To classify this as Britpop doesn't seem right to me, because it doesn't sound anything like what I associate with that term, like Oasis or Robbie Williams. Some of the songs on the back half of the album I could do without, but the first half of the album really gripped me for some reason. I think Jarvis Cocker's voice is haunting, yet I thought it worked really well with the music. I could see myself listening to (at least part) of this album again.
For an album advertised as hardcore much of this album is very corny.
Når inte riktigt upp till Pulp-hitarna (Common People osv)
För mig har Pulp alltid varit "Disco 2000", men de är uppenbart mycket mer än så och en viktig del av en riktigt härlig era av britpop.
Inte riktigt min stil - men helt perfekt ändå. Lol.
Kände inte till detta band, men det lät mycket bra!
Jag har aldrig försökt dyka in i Pulp förut och det ångrar jag sannerligen nu.
Solid album, but not as exciting as the previous ones
Dramatic, weary and a fave of my wife’s
Didn’t realise this one was on the list. Love this album, especially the title track and the section of the music video where Jarvis is with the dancers. Do agree with it being too long though. I’d get rid of Seductive Barry personally; that one doesn’t do much for me.
More Britrock slop.
This album really grew on me. It may be a 4 star after a few more listens. I wish I could give it a 3.5.
"We have David Bowie at home" David Bowie at home:
Buenísimo. Por momentos es Lou Reed en Trainspotting y luego te remata con una joyita como 'Glory Days'. Larga vida al Britpop.
I liked slyvia
Good but forgettable.
Another band I’ve heard of but never heard. Knowing that they were British and that this was from the ‘90s didn’t make me look forward to this but I am pleasantly surprised by this listen. I like the variety of songs here and they are all well performed and recorded. There’s a good amount of experimentation in the arrangements and in the mix. This whole album kind of has a Bowie vibe but does seem to retain some originality. Jarvis Cocker does seem to be a bit pompous in his delivery but I suppose that is what makes these songs work. There’s one more album by them on this list so I’ll be looking forward to that one!
I bought this on release and have forgotten how good it is. Dark yet anthemic. Slightly creepy! Epic and a bit Bowie esque. Probably influenced by a great Pulp concert last week but 5 stars for me.
Now THIS is how you do a 70 minute rock record! A nice ten minute ambient outro, good variation in the tracks, and differing but consistent production approaches? See you later! Now, maybe I just went in with low expectations as I'm not a huge Pulp enjoyer but yeah, really pleasantly surprised, here!
I've been avoiding this album since I joined this group, and now that I've finally listened to my avoidance was justified. Clearly these guys are great musicians but whatever they are trying to sell here (smarminess?), sorry I'm just not buying.
I tried but just couldn't locate any interest in this album. I heard it....it was there...I didn't care for the guy's voice. Having a little trouble believing this is a top 1000 album. It was fine.
By the time the Jarvis Cocker was tediously whispering in "Seductive Barry," I could only think, "Oh fuck off." His charms—and those of Pulp in general—are mostly lost on me. And they're especially strained during those interminable eight and a half minutes. I get this is Pulp's comedown album, but it is a fucking slog. The more I hear of them, the more I realize I'm good with "Common People."
"Jarvis Cocker, in particular, became an unlikely sex symbol and cultural provocateur, offering an intellectual and satirical counterweight to the laddish masculinity of contemporaries like Oasis" -Pulp's Wikipedia article Who out here is thinking Oasis and masculinity should be in the same sentence?
Good and not hardcore at all. Rockin
Linda coincidencia que This Is Hardcore me saliera al siguiente día de comprar entradas para el concierto de Pulp. Y qué gran disco es este. No a la altura del Different Class, pero con unos temazos increíbles. Desde The Fear esto te agarra y no te suelta. Y es de esos que he escuchado tantas veces durante los años, que creería que ya no voy a encontrarle cosas nuevas, pero siempre sale algo genial en cada nueva escucha. Me encanta.
Abit too much British pop/rock lately in this challenge. Well perhaps it makes it more easier to compare. Compared with Blurs Parklife this had a little more nuance in it that fit mu taste buds. Little more depth.
Some interesting melodies going on here, but, unlike Pulp's first album, the lyrics in "Hardcore" skew toward self-pity.
After the wave of positivity and drugs that was Britpop and Pulp's eventual admission into the ruling class of the movement, then come down begins. That's this album. Best Tracks: Help The Aged; This Is Hardcore; I'm a Man
ой не
Good album, long, but cool.
What a great surprise! Was expecting something and got another thing totally different and amazing!
Another Brit rock album where I enjoy the music, but just can’t handle the lead singer’s voice. Just not my bag. 2.5 / 5
No chance I would’ve appreciated this when I was eleven, but it’s cracking - rich and interesting. Favourite track: tough to pick, but The Fear stuck with me after a first listen.
Came in expecting it to be quite meh but I found a lot of enjoyment in a few songs. 7/10
Others have mentioned how much this album sounds like David Bowe and I totally agree!
I did not enjoy this album
I only knew a few Pulp songs before this. If I heard anything from this album I don’t remember. But I really liked this, especially the darker tracks with more alt rock sound.
Excelente álbum! Som sombrio e sexy. Truthear Zero: Red.
ok, kinda forgettable.
If late-90s Britpop were the only genre to chose from, I would pick this over Oasis. But that’s a pretty low bar to clear.
Another 90’s band with a pretty good sound but a terrible singer. This one really rubbed me the wrong way.
Solid 7
Pulp are the masters of writing emotional hooks and melodies that burst.
Every Pulp album we've done is rubbish, this is rubbish and it also goes on forever. Please fuck off
It's a testament to how much I love Pulp (and Jarvis Cocker) that I think their album about finally becoming successful and discovering it's not all it's cracked up to be is witty, dark and incisive, rather than whiny and obvious.
There are some elements I liked. Some chord progression is not bad. But overall it’s like having yogurt with some fruit bits. Fruit bits are sweet and taste not too bad but the yogurt itself is really mediocre and boring.
kinda sounded like Nick Cave, if he didn't suck but in all seriousness, it was an interesting album. its dark, its moody, but it does a good job of capturing its audience. overall, not a bad listen. didn't love a 10 minute outro with a single lyrics in it... but hey, thats artistry for ya? realistically this would be a 2.5, but ill bump it to a 3
I listened to the entirety of the last song and now I know where the electric vehicle reverse sound came from. Being over halfway through the list, I’ve found some things I generally don’t enjoy about an album. This one had a few of those things.
It was fine. Totally forgettable but not offensive.
I was surprised to find that this wasn't quite as awful as I was expecting. I mean it was appalling, but not abysmal I guess. Talentless meanderings by a long past their sell by date band. Two stars.
Pulp is rather a good band.
My left nut is more hardcore than this. A bit boring.
Britpop turned to depression. It's a strange album. The sound is this darker version of the britpop we are used to but the lyrics truly reveal that this is music written to describe a troubling side of humanity. And while it is at times too dissonant and dark to immerse yourself fully, it has its moments where it becomes very relatable though that might be subjective (and dependant on what you make of some of the symbolism).
Big lie by Jarvis. Having listened to better stuff by Pulp this was disappointing. Sounds a bit decaffeinated. Neither good nor bad.
This album is quite nice. However, it would never be my go to album, but, well, I guess it's a very enjoyable record. I don't think it's as deep as the band would think it is (and I say so because, at times, the album becomes redundant with not much direction or interest – I mean... that end, those ten last minutes of the same sustained note... what's the purpose of it?), but it's a good album, with some very nice songs. So, I've liked it after all.
These guys are a real new discovery for me, Thanks generator!!
*1998. Britpop, glam rock. *This is fun. If you told me this was David Bowie, I would believe you. *A little goes a long way. RATING - 6/10
Because I enjoyed A Different Class so much, I gave this album several more listens than I normally would. But even after my fifth time through, I feel like nothing really sticks. Whatever moments of earnestness existed in their previous album are completely absent here, replaced with Jarvis Cocker's dull ennui. He sounds as bored singing these songs as I feel listening to them. The music sounds pleasant enough, but it all kind of blends into a kind of sonic wallpaper
This is the second of Pulp's albums that I've had out of 250 generated. Probably 50 of them I would qualify as being a british band from the 90's that didn't need to be dredged up again. I cringe over the lyrics and vocal delivery, it's like the opposite of ASMR. The tracks don't do anything special that warrants being on this list.
This could almost be a three, as I enjoyed a few of the tracks. But there were also a few I disliked and one I skipped entirely because I couldn't wait for it to be over.
Por razones que no llego a saber, Pulp no gizó en España del reconocimiento que otras bandas como Oasis o Blur estaban teniendo. Representaban una vertiente más intelectual, menos joven y rebelde que estos en un momento en el cual todavía los clubes de fans de jovencitas veían a los Gallagher y a Albarn y encendían su fuego uterino. Por ello, Pulp se convirtió en la nada de los gafapastas, estética que le venía al dedo al bueno de Jarvis Cocker. Sea como fuere, antes o ahora, disfrutar de lo mejor del indie noventero con esta selección de temas no tiene precio. “Party Hard” o “I’m A Man” o “Glory Days” son de lo mejor en este disco sublime.
This guy definitely wanks to his own farts. Who needs innuendos when you can just straight up jork it during the song. The music is boring, droll and tasteless. 3/10
Me encanta Pulp y nunca me había escuchado un álbum entero de ellos, me sorprendió mucho porque siento que es un estilo más desarrollado que el de los hits de los primeros álbumes. Lo disfrute un montón, se siente original y auténtico. Guarde casi todas las canciones, tengo que volver a escucharlas tho asi me hago más con ellas.
Bigger, heavier, and more dramatic than Different Class. I like this album a little more, probably because it dispenses with the twee fake optimism and embraces the misery at the core of this band’s music. I respect its honesty, and the songcraft, but something this grim and sleazy isn’t really for me.
Medicore.
this is pulp. the unmistakable voice of Mr Cocker good album. not aware of any hit singles from here but not the biggest Pulp fan so.
Exceeded my expectations. Bit of a big anxious melancholy wall of sound, with some beautiful melodies mixed in. Faves: The Fear, Help The Aged, This Is Hardcore
I didn't find this viscerally irritating like their other album but I need this man to understand that he is not sexy and he is not David Bowie, no matter how much he insists otherwise
note to self: copy and paste review from previous Pulp album, remove any references to "Common People" it's almost interesting but never gets there
ok
Good late 90s tunes!
Imagine my disappointment when I realized that this was, in fact, not hardcore.
9/10 I didn't care for this when it came, and I can hear why. It is grown-up and very dark. The death of a party, and the death of Britpop. I was young and still wanting to enjoy myself . Hearing it now, there are a load of great songs and more depth than even Different Class.
I don't really known Pulp outside of the big hits, so it was nice to hear a bit more. That being said, this album doesn't feel like a must listen. There are some good moments and plenty of wry lyrics, but not many songs stand out after a couple of listens.
I had checked out on Pulp by the time this album came out. A nice listen but doesn't have the pop punch of the earlier ones. Still a quality album.
Not my type of rock music- but fun nonetheless
Hä, 10 Minuten Dauerton als "long Outro"?
Man, I don't like it. I tried, but I just don't like it. There are a couple songs that are a approaching something approximating catchy, but I just don't...you get the point.
If all songs were as great as the title song it would be 5 stars.
Same thing, two stars. Maybe I wasn’t there at the right time, but it’s not my vibe either.
I was suprised to hear this album. I didnt dislike it actually. Anything from this genre is always kind of hard to life out, but this one seemed to grow on me the further down the album I got.
Some great lines, and I like that the music got darker after Different Class. They remain band I find easy to like, hard to love. I know Jarvis Cocker is a horny poet or whatever but the album cover’s pretty stupid.
Pleasantly surprising!
I knew of them but had never listened to an album front to back. I rather liked it.
This was not for me. Mid/down tempo generic rock with a Bowie affectation. Meh.
The Fear - 4/5 Dishes - 3/5 Party Hard - 3.5/5 Help the Aged - 3.5/5 This Is Hardcore - 4/5 TV Movie - 3/5 A Little Soul - 3/5 I'm a Man - 3.5/5 Seductive Barry - 3/5 Sylvia - 3/5 Glory Days - 3.5/5 The Day After the Revolution - 3/5 I knew this wouldn't get any higher than a three because of the singer saying he has the same initials as Jesus. My first foray into Britpop for this list was properly whelming. Overall: 3/5 Favorites: The Fear, This is Hardcore
***an ok album
Ik ben hier niet zo kapot van. Het komt uit 1998 maar klinkt minimaal 10 jaar ouder over het algemeen. Plus een regelmatig wat aanstellerige zanger, wat CKV gedoe. Af en toe is er een soort algemene sound waardoor ik gefopt word en ga denken dat ik dit wel leuk zou moeten vinden, maar dat is slechts sporadisch. Over het algemeen was dit niet zo aan mij besteed. Ik ram enigszins teleurgesteld op de 2.
Some of the lyrics are good, but the lack of musical variety on this one drags it down. Too much drone, not enough melody. It’s consistent and not horrible but not their best for me.
"Different Class" earned a 3 from me. This album started pretty bad, with tough-to-listen-to vocals and bass that was overpowering (for me, had to EQ to boost mids/treble). "Help the Aged" was ok, but I think I just wasn't in the mood for the vocals today. Skipped a lot.
It was alright. Not fully my cup of tea
Hard not to compare to Different Class, which is obviously in a different, better class. Feels like it could be a grower and I’ll try to revisit it a few times. For now, it’s a 3
This is the best David Bowie's cover band ever.
It's a great style. I think I need multiple listens on this one.
Not for me
4.25/5 Stars Top Songs: This is Hardcore, A little Soul, TV movie
An uncomfortable follow up to Different Class, leaning further into the darker seamier side of life often with the harsh realities of ageing staring them in the face. I never grew to love it, but songs like Little Soul, Help the Aged and Party Hard are superb.
jeg elsker jo richard hawley!! gleder meg til å høre mer av pulp. // dette liker jeg velldig godt. teatralsk og dramatisk og spennende.
Straight trash. Why this band has two albums on this list (so far) is beyond me. Music isn’t good, lyrics aren’t good. Just bad, bland English garbage.
..
Another slice of life from Jarvis. Wonderful.
This was fine but I didn't like it as well as the other two pulp albums I've listened to. Has some good spots but also seemed like it was probably too long.
No bangers on this one. Self indulgent in places. But I like the band's music, including the fuzz guitar on this album, and jarvis can be quite funny. But overall a bit disappointing
Pretty good. Damned by being the follow up to an absolute all timer, and by the tendency of late 90s albums to be way too long. But - the good songs are excellent and the okay ones are elevated by the force of Jarvis Cocker's wit and personality. Overall though, needs a good harsh edit of about 15 minutes and it would be so much better.
Never really heard anything other than their big hits. I really enjoyed this one. Hints of Lou Reed, Arctic Monkeys, and some nice solid tunes. Will explore more of their stuff.
Pulp, indeed.
Wel oke
no idea what's happening
Fun tale of a nasty little man.
Brit pop going artsier, I still really like it
Missed this one. A nice find. A bit dated sound but overall one of the few records that I never heard before on this list.
nah.
Pretty neat britpop with one song sounding a bit like radiohead. low 4/5.
Sometimes a vibe, sometimes kind of awful, sometimes just noise. Highlights: Like a Friend, The Fear, Help the Aged, A Little Soul
Some very good songs but felt like it dragged on too long.
Não gostei muito
This wasn't very hardcore. The album should've been called "This is more britpop"
The album art and title definitely don't reflect the music.
cool
Ok, I've never really listened to Pulp aside from their radio singles. I like a lot of UK bands from the same era, so I don't know why I never tried this album out. I was pleasantly surprised! It's really solid, and I'll listen again.
Sometimes interesting, but mostly about sex troubled childhood.
I have hated the song Help the Aged since I was 11 years old when it was released as a single. I've consciously avoided it, turning over the tv or radio whenever it started for the last almost 30 years. I finally listened to it today and... It's pretty good actually.
Wow, I liked this a lot. I didn't love it, but it had several good bits that I listened to more than once.
I gave this a listen while working and it slipped into the background. So, I thought I'd listen again. Same. It's good .... music that sounds familiar and I wouldn't mind if someone else was playing it around me. Dishes, Party Hard, Help The Aged, I'm a Man were most memorable.
Broody like Roger Waters at times. Interesting.
I enjoy Pulp's overall sound and Jarvis Cocker's talk-sing style, but I ended up liking this album less than I had hoped. "The Fear" is solid... the British seem to keep finding new ways to explore modern listlessness, and I'm here for it all. But I found myself kind of lost in the later tracks. Like a lot of these 90s albums, it seems a little too long and unfocused. I would probably give it 3.5 if that were an option, but for today it's just a 3. I wouldn't be surprised if I return to it later and feel differently.
I really enjoy Pulp - I find Jarvis Cocker's lyrics funny, with enough perverse honesty to make them endearing and memorable. Not as immediately enjoyable as "Different Classes", I plan on relistening to this at least a few times.
This is the opposite of hardcore. More like This is Just Average. This is Mediocre.
This is good, but not the most interesting thing on here. It's Bowie-esque in a comforting way, but as much as I love Bowie's music I don't think everyone needs to sound like him. Favorite track: "Glory Days"
I didn’t love it or hate it
Why do the songs sound the same in the second half of the album
Never been a Pulp fan but some of this is very good indeed. 3/4 out of 5
Peppy alternative rock... didn't grab me.
Jarvis Cooker's voice is suited SO WELL for indie ballad-esque songs. Mix that with the raw lyrics, this album is truly hardcore. This is an album I needed when I was 13. It resembles coming-of-age and new, uncomfortable experiences. Dishes; This is Hardcore; Sylvia
"This Is Hardcore" is the sixth studio album by English rock band Pulp. Art rock, glam rock and Britpop are the Wiki-listed genres. Following the success of their previous album, "Different Class," tensions grew within the band which led to the departure of guitarist and violinist Russell Senior. The remaining band was Jarvis Cocker (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Nick Banks (drums, percussion), Candida Doyle (keyboards, organ, backing vocals), Steve Mackey (bass) and Mark Webber (guitar, keyboards). The album reached #1 in the UK and #114 on the US Billboard 200. It had generally positive reviews and was nominated for the UK Mercury Prize. Ominous and droning synth and guitar notes open the album in "The Fear." Cocker singing anxiously about loneliness and dread of being middle age. Big and loud backing vocals in a song that ends dramatically. A harder rock, edgy guitar is backed by a dance beat in "Party Hard." Layered vocals in a song that is glam and Bowie-esque. A cynical look at the nightlife. "This is Hardcore" slows things down initially. A dark synth and deeper piano keys. The music and vocals get louder. Strings and horns are added. Almost jazzy. The emptiness of fame I had all but given up on any Britpop-type music showing up and then the last three songs showed up. "Glory Days" layers the guitars. There's the piano. No, this is not about recalling his baseball past but a reflection on the failure of youthful idealism. "The Day After the Revolution" continues the layered melodic guitars. A similar cynical look at the mid-90's Britpop. The majority of this album is more in the vein of the glam 1970's and David Bowie and that's not a bad thing to me. There's edgy guitars, dramatic strings and synths and overall darker music and lyrics. They do throw a Britpop dog bone to us in the last three songs. If you're expecting "Different Class 2" you will be disappointed. I actually liked the glam and art rock direction and think the album is fairly strong. At nearly 70 minutes, it could be trimmed, but, overall this is an album worth a listen.
Jarvis Cocker BritPop halt dunno? c
Very much hear some Bowie in this album.
Yawn
This okay I guess, not sure about hardcore
Of all of Bowie's musical offspring, Pulp is probably the best. My fave Pulp album.
Really enjoyed this one
Didn’t find this to be that interesting, I guess it’s not for me. 2/5 Won’t listen again
Rock - gritty
David Bowie sound-alike vibe
Is Different Class on this list? Very odd to get TIH before it. Jarvis is a master at writing lyrics that make me feel uncomfortable. Does that mean I can't enjoy the album as much without abstracting it as 'art'? Maybe? This album has some incredible songs - Party Hard, the title track, Help the Aged - but I do feel it doesn't hang together great as a collection. Is the regretful old man of A Little Soul the same man as the title track? Much like a film like Lilya-4-eva or Requiem For a Dream, this is a brilliant work, but not necesaarily a comfortable one. 4*, but different class is a better album.
I was in a bit of a state when this album came out. It resonated. I still can't decide if it was a solace or a bad influence. Maybe a bit of both.
What an entertaining album! Between the intense lyrics, dramatic themes and gritty raw execution this album drew me in on the first track and kept my interest throughout. Different Class, which we reviewed a couple months back, was the first time I had really listens to Pulp despite vaguely knowing about them for years. I liked that album but quickly forgot about it, probably a reflection of how much new music I have heard since then, but also possible it had something to do with it not making quite as strong an impression on me. This is Hardcore is the the realm of album that feel a little bit like you can't look away, waiting to hear what the next track will bring. By the end of the album the volume knob had crept up and writing this now I am considering going in for another listen. If I spent more time with this album I think it is likely it would grow on me more, and may warrant a 5 star rating.
I’ve spoken pretty poorly about britpop throughout this project; I even groaned when I saw it was another britpop album this morning. Luckily, when I threw this album on, I was reminded that Pulp are probably the britpop act I’ve enjoyed the most so far. There’s definitely a lot more of a Bowie influence that I can hear in Pulp than a lot of the other britpop acts.
Kinda slipped into a trance listening to this one.
I am a big Pulp fan, and I admire them more as I get older. The wit, the craftsmanship of the music and songwriting. This album doesn't have their best songs, but it's arguably their magnum opus, and it is one of those albums that really is a feat and stands out of time as something of beauty (and, in this case, allure).
2 stars I’ll admit that reading about this album and what it represents in the context of 90s britpop is more interesting than listening to the album. I don’t get all of those things from just listening to it. It’s not a bad album, and there are good songs. But overall it just kind of blends together for me and isn’t much of a listening experience. I prefer their previous 2 albums and don’t think I’d listen to the album all the way through again.
Very close to giving a 5, but not as exciting as other albums. The songwriting and performances are overall great!
Not for me
I oscillated between “my god this is terrible” and “why is part of this song good but the rest of it sucks?” This was annoying, pretentious, and a struggle to get through. The only thing keeping this album from a 1 star rating is the last few songs, which were actually kind of good, but then I got madder realizing they were capable of good music and made this shit.
Slower/calmer than my usual music taste but nice. Sort of a seductive note. Depressing at times. Nice tho. Need more time to figure out if I like it or not. Think I like "The Fear" best.
we know we know u like britpop
I'm not much of a Pulp fan. It took me a while to warm up to this album and sink in-- and there's plenty of time to do so with the full album coming in at about 70 mins, which I reckon is too long here. It's a bit as if this is an album that Bowie never made. Or at least, lesser Bowie, and the character being played is Jarvis Cocker. I can't figure out if I actually like him or not-- is the poetic cockiness charming and deserved? For instance, the line at the end of "Dishes", "I am not Jesus though I have the same initials" is more likely just 1998 rage bait, but I'm not completely certain he doesn't believe it. The whole album plays out like a curtain call on a big stage, dramatic and cinematic like the Thin White Duke or Ziggy Stardust giving his all at the end of the night. "What exactly do you do for an encore/ 'cause this is hardcore"... Cocker certainly has a talent for final lines in songs. So I'm really sitting in the middle on this. It didn't resonate with me, but I didn't think it was bad. I think on a re-listen, I could get more into it.
It's weird to name your album for a style of music that definitely is not featured on the album. But I guess CBGBs wasn't named for the style it featured either. Anyway "This is Hardcore" is an evolution from Pulp's previous style. A bit more experimental and darker maybe. It's not bad, but it lacks the memorable moments of "Different Class". If there were such a genre as post-Brit-pop, this would be it. Not bad but not great.
The titular track is brilliant, good opening and closing tracks, but some of the rest falls short
Average.
Mrh, not great, but not terrible.
It kept sounding like different artists(most that I like). I should probably do another listen, but it seems good but not quite great.
Might be my favorite Britpop we’ve gotten? But the bar is low, and the album overstayed its welcome.
# Album Name: This Is Hardcore # Artist: Pulp # Rating: 3/5 # Comments: Pretty Average. Not their best stuff # Top Tunes: Like a friend / This is hardcore # Would I listen to it again? Maybe
Good album but the lyrics are clunky
This kind of felt like David Bowie, but more depressing.
Well, there's one thing I know about this Pulp album. It is nowhere near hardcore. It's like they're an American group trying to emulate The Cure and doing it in the worst possible way.
I can hardly add anything new to the reviews on here. This is a fascinating album with a pitch-black cynical heart. The lyrics are gorgeous and terrible. I'm a fan.
Sleazy sounding glam rock - a few of the songs reminded me of Creep by Radiohead in a derivative way.
There are moments here that I like more than Different Class, and aspect I really don't. DC was already long enough that it'd start to grate on me, and 'Hardcore goes on even longer. I do like some of the rougher production that shows up occasionally here and there.
They got their Bowie on! Good songs was long but not boring
Didn't know what to expect - and I'm still not sure what to make of it. It belies description a bit, but the early tracks range from sadboy pop (Dishes) to something with a bit of a cutting edge (Party Hard). Very synth heavy. I don't think I love the glam revival vocals, but it makes sense somehow. The title track is plodding with chunky bass and weird enough synth and vocal melodies that I'm getting into it. This must have been in a movie somwhere? If not, it should be. Unfortunately after that, nothing really grabbed me as much and it's a quite long album. There's some good stuff in here still, but going through this again feels like it would be a slog.
This one is a big whatever. The vocals are not impactful, just a man moaning, but not in a good way. Even when he goes more high notes its bad. The instrumentals aren't very good, it is a completely whatever.
In fact, it is not hardcore.
Not bad
This Glam Rock album cloaks its sleek synths, pulsing bass, and dramatic string accents around dry, theatrical half-spoken, half-sung vocals, shifting between detached narration and wounded intimacy, dissecting desire, power, and disillusionment, unfolding like a velvet-curtained nightclub after closing time—seductive, self-aware, and faintly sordid, yet aware that the glamour has already begun to curdle.
Best Song: I'm a Man This was a new one for me, and I know that people will play word games with the title, This is Hardcore - spoiler alert: it is not hardcore. It is alternative-pop with a pinch of new wave thrown in here and there. It's ok, but nothing that I needed to go out of my way for. It could easily have been skipped from this list. 3/5.
Buh, no
Art rock, bowie Party hard This is hardcore
A good amount of meaning but not very listenable or fun or danceable or singable
Good band, good album just not great
Factually incorrect title. I’d consider songs about being nice to old people to be pretty far from hardcore.
holy shit
I liked this, but probably won’t revisit this.
I enjoyed this more than Different Class. Every song on the album was solid, and I listened to it multiple times.
Pulpy as hell. Always had an affinity for Pulp for some reason. This is a pretty good semblance of the band. Sylvia, Glory Days and TV Movie ae all standouts for me. The same way Martin Parr is quintessentially British, so to is Pulp.
Not a fan
Parin ekan biisin perusteella sikapaska levy. Annetaan 1,5/5, koska en jaksanut kuunnella.
fine, boring
Loved the last Pulp album I got, and while there’s a lot of great stuff here, it falls into the trap I find a lot of later 90s Brit pop falling into, i.e., it’s overlong and getting self important, with lots of not great songs crowding what could be a better, refined listening experience. 3.5
Need a vocalist who can sing
Аранжировки местами интересные, но сами по себе песни безликие. Лучшая песня: Seductive Barry
I guess I hate hardcore now...
it’s a nostalgic sound, the voice is really specific. I enjoy listening to the music, the lyrics are a bit whiny/horny, but they are not as bad as other 90s singers (looking at you Nick Cave). But quite a bit of cringe nonetheless.
a little boring tbh
For me , it’s up there with his n hers and different class. These three all have their charms and show pulp at their very best. This is the darkest of these albums and the most rock oriented. Brilliant
Temu Radiohead. That's how I felt for the first 4 songs. But then the album turned a corner for me with This Is Hardcore. It was orchestral and I enjoyed the mixing of the keys and the horns. It sounded like it was recorded all live off the floor of a concert hall. Would make a good James Bond song. It was a tad bit long but I liked that song. And the songs that followed were great driving music. I don't love the singer, but I like the music in the middle album. And then it turned another corner and it was back to being uninteresting to me.
Okay. Skip. No thanks. Aight Ba ba ba ba baaaaa. Guys this is hardcore. Tbh I didn’t care to finish this album.
Strong 4.5 I’ve loved Jarvis Cocker since I heard him on Chilly Gonzales’ album Room 29. His voice took a while to get used to, its character is pretty unique. I actually had no idea he had a band called pulp, this is the first time I’m hearing them. What I really admire is his writing. It’s humorous, tongue in cheek but also has an emotional depth that I connect with. The personality and wit shines through and conveys a playful non-seriousness that I find very enjoyable. The specificity of his writing is also striking, always keeping it emotionally close and intimate, speaking to a specific person often. This record is exceptionally eclectic, every song feels new to me- however it still carries a cohesiveness in its mixing and sonic motifs such as the orchestral swells and melodies bringing up the back of the arrangements. I love the mix of modern (at the time) electronic synth sounds/patches and electric guitars with more traditional orchestral arrangements. I really enjoy the songwriting, the overall chord progressions are interesting to me, emotionally resonant and great to listen to. A unique sound that stands out from anything else I’ve heard. There’s a super clear British rock pop/indie pop sound that I’m pretty familiar with- it’s a sound that heavily influenced nz music. There are a lot of genre influences sprinkled through the record, with different tracks bringing in elements from rock, alternative rock, indie, electronic music of the time, obvious Bowie influence, orchestral, a real soup of musical influence. Not a huge fan of the long songs 8-10mins. A personal preference thing- short attention span generation I guess. The mix is lush, big- wide, plenty of shimmer and shine, glossy, splashy and energetic on the high end. Haven’t been listening on my good headphones so can’t get super specific (just listening on AirPods) but the sound placement feels spacious and well arranged- everything has its space. The sound feels round and glued, with a tasteful amount of verb that creates a washy feel to a lot of the tracks- which I enjoy. I enjoy the blending of the orchestral arrangements in the back of the mix with the verbs of other elements gluing together, creating an oily blend of sound that serves the overall lush, wide, big stadium feel. Overall a good balance. Vox can get lost in the mix at times, but honestly I find it fitting for the genre, blending into the mix and become more of an instrument than main focus.
Really strong song writing. This sounds like Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie but not nearly as depressed. (Compliment) The legibility of the lyrics deserves a positive note. The music on this album has a certain "UMPH" that I really appreciate. I'm not going to hold it against it because it wasn't on the original cut but, the last song, the "long outro CD version" pissed me off. 4.4 outta 5
Great album! Another group that I was basically unfamiliar with, but good vibes, nice late '90s / early 2000s indie sound.
More arty, loungy and darker than A Different Class I thought this album was a transition to something more and left me wanting. Another curious entry into the list of albums that are in the shadow of something better and more culturally impactful by the same artist that don't deserve to be here.
It’s not really that hardcore. Kind of dramatic and whiney, actually.
not my cuppa tea
Not my favorite.
A tad too languorous for me.
If this has razzmatazz or common people, it’s probably a 5 star.
A surprising accessible hard core rock album. New to me - not bad ,but nothing that has be wanting to hear more
No, this isn't hardcore. This is you wanting to be Bowie but falling short of Morrissey.
It’s pulp. Didn’t sound like a revolutionary album.
Did not bother me, did not fascinated me. Actually, it didn't produce me anything. 5/10
Is the title intended to be ironic? Because . . .
not as good as their other albums but it’s cool to hear pulp on here
Good and solid w/ a couple slot standouts and a few clunkers
This was pretty good! Wasn't blown my socks off but good enough!
So in This Is Hardcore, Pulp takes a left turn from UK mainstream and delivers a great album, that talks about the dark side of fame. The title track, Help The Aged and Glory Days are my highlights https://youtu.be/LxNCPe0n5sI?si=iV-t4999aYCNdd5O&t=594 the day after the revolution shouldnt be 15 minutes long
I don’t find Jarvis Cocker particularly charming or funny.
Album Nr. 93 Bestenfalls durchschnittlich.
I have never listened to Pulp before but I loved this album. I really enjoyed all the songs. I’m definitely going to listen to more.
Trump in the Epstein files?
I’ve known Pulp for years, at least through their bigger tracks, but sitting with this album didn’t hit me the way I hoped it would. It has that Morrissey/The Smiths dynamic - strong band, poetic frontman - but the overall impact lands softer for me. Jarvis Cocker’s writing is absolutely poetic, but it doesn’t connect with me on the same level as other lyric-driven artists. No knock on them; it’s just not quite my lane.
Doesn’t impress me. I can’t die yet.
Other than "Common People" don't know too much about Pulp other than indie-heads love them. Very cinematic and over the top music. Part Bowie, part Danny Elfman. Good sound and album but not my overall favorite.
My goodness what a drag. Not helped by the fact that this is the second Pulp album in two days I've had to listen to. This one is even more a load of nothingness. I wouldn't know how to describe this album. It is a pretentious Bowie album, but there are no highlights on this album at all. The never-ending outro on the last song is symbolic for the pretentious load of horsedung on this album. Easy 1/5
This is fine. Def understand Pulp's place in britpoptopia. I wish the songs were better.
An offbeat sound that is mysteriously familiar without a hint of expected pop sensibility
Jarvis Cocker wants so badly to be Elvis Costello, and for a few seconds here and there, he almost does it.
languid, beautiful, desperate.
what the hell this isn't hardcore at all
Mit This Is Hardcore liefert Pulp ein düsteres, elegantes und zugleich verstörend ehrliches Album, das sich deutlich vom Britpop-Glanz früherer Werke abhebt. Jarvis Cockers Texte sind scharfzüngig und voller dekadenter Melancholie, während die Musik zwischen orchestraler Opulenz und zynischem Pop changiert. Highlights wie der Titeltrack „This Is Hardcore“ oder „Help the Aged“ zeigen eine Band, die sich traut, das Unangenehme zu umarmen – mit Stil und Substanz. Ein mutiger, reifer Schritt, der nicht jedem gefallen will, aber genau darin liegt seine Stärke.
Oh wow, another Pulp album. NGL that other one was pretty great and I still have that song stuck in my head. lol This one is from 98...Meh this one wasn't as good. Good but not that good 3 stars.
I should give another listen sometime to see if I still feel the same. 3/10
This seems like some kind of odd mashup of Bowie, a bit of U2, a bit of Pink Floyd, and some other things. Though the music kind of grew on me as I listened, I can't imagine why I would ever listen to this again on purpose.
This album is a damn tragedy to me. I say this because this album really shows the band’s potential to do interesting instrumentation, it’s just that they couldn’t decide what exactly what they wanted to do. There is near zero cohesiveness in this album, with no real core sound to it. Then there is the vocalist, who is quite frankly terrible. The guy’s poorly ripping off David Bowie and Roger Waters style of singing, and it just doesn’t match the vibe in any of the songs. This album could’ve used another year of touchups before it came out. Best Song: This is Hardcore Worst Song: TV Movie
Meh. Probably would have liked this more had I heard it upon release. Good overall but a few tracks just hit my ears wrong.
Just got nothing to say about this one
Lidt for punk - ikke noget for mig
Not a bad album. Some parts remind me of David Bowie, e.g. the last track "The Day After The Revolution" could be a Bowie song.
Waffled between a 2 and 3 on this, but a decided to round down because not *every* British rock band from the 90s and early 2000s needs to be on this list. I know Pulp was big in the British Isles, so maybe it is more deserving of being on this list than some of the other bands we've had, but there still isn't anything here I'm over eager to revisit.
What was with aping lounge singers in the late 90s/early 2000s in the UK? Why was Jarvis Cocker and Richard Hawley & that rando from Divine Comedy obsessed with some kind of Frank Sinatra put on - with Pulp clearly aping the Kinks and hints of the Beatles as well. & what the hell was Nick Hornby smoking that he called Jarvis the unofficial poet laureate, come the fuck on. The only good things to come from Pulp: 1 - 'Common People' - not on this overrated album 2 - showing up as live action versions of themselves in 'Fantastic Mr. Fox.'
overall it’s okay. lyrically not an album for me. the bowie sounds makes me want to listen to bowie instead. fave song: the fear glory days was also kind of a banger. 2.5/5 🌕🌕🌗
Disappointing. Indulgent.
There are a couple of outstanding tracks but the rest is an astonishing amount of filler. 2.0/5.0: Disappointing
i was over this album halfway through. there were some decent songs on here but an absolutely incredible amount of filler. i was between a 2 and a 3 until i hit the last song which had a 10 minute one synth chord outro. i kept listening expecting it to kick back into the song or go into a hidden track but nothing ever materialized. wish i wouldve read the reviews mentioning it before i listened to the whole thing. either way it loses points for adding to an album that was already too long.
Had Bowiesque moments. Bit grudgy in spots
Jarvis Cocker seems like a very intelligent guy. He's clearly talented too, as are the other members of Pulp. These are carefully crafted songs. The lyrics and production feel deliberate. But, I don't know, I'm just not connecting with the material. I typically form an emotional connection to music before I form an intellectual one, and this music isn't engaging me emotionally. Really good album cover though! 2.5
This is a pretty interesting listen. The cacophony that ends the first song is really something I'm into, and I'm impressed overall at the instrumentation in the first few tracks overall. The vocals are kind of hit or miss for me. This album is so eclectic, it can't help itself but go in a ton of different directions. The first 5 songs go everywhere and anywhere, and I love the weird slow drum n bass electronic synth string "This Is Hardcore". I feel like I liked this? But it would be better if i gave it a few more listens to really get through it all.
I don’t know. This album felt a little sparse. There were some interesting moments, but most of the time, not a whole lot was happening. It was somewhat enjoyable but pretty forgettable.
Very good, his voice sounds familiar to me but I don’t know from what. Very good though
Ganske intetsigende, men ikke fælt på noen måte. Har et par ålreite låter. Sterk 2’er
Idk how I feel about this, it was entertaining to listen to but not my favorite
An OK album by a band that sounds like a cheap imitation of David Bowie.
This album is good, but it pales in comparison to their previous album. The songs on the last album just felt so much more bombastic, and the melodies were stronger. This is still a decent album though. High 3.
This starts off sounding super Pink Floydish, then kind of pulls back into a more 90s-like alternative sound. I think I remember a couple of these guys tracks on Much Music back in the day, but they never made much of an impression on me back then. Anyway, the album is pretty cool honestly. Some of the tracks are definitely original. Probably a high 3, could see it as a 4. Might listen to again. On another note, this guy's dancing is hilarious in some of the videos. Looks like someone's grandpa trying to get groovy.
There is a bit of good on there, but dam it’s bloated
it is okay, liked a couple
Queens of leoness
Lo acabo de volver a escuchar (mas detenidamente) y realmente es un gran álbum.
Not as good as Different Class but there’s no way it ever would have been. Still great. Pulp might just be my favorite britpop band
At the height of their popularity Pulp shunned the radio-friendly stuff and created a much darker record that endures with some of their best songwriting
Джарвис Кокер брызжет слюной где-то час. Лучшая песня - This is Hardcore.
This is my kind of music
3/10 - Gave up with this album. Too slow and dreary.
Góð en mér fannst alveg óþarfi að setjast á hljómborðið í korter undir lokin
Langar að hífa þetta upp í 4 stjörnur en þetta er allt ansi eins.
irrelevant. 2,4
Pas hardcore pantoute. J'ai vraiment pas accroché. 2.5/5
Meh
Out of all the Britpop bands, Pulp seems like they have the most sex. I’m not talking about a quick “shag”. Im talking about real sex.
I know I will sound like a broken record, but this is another of those "this is the reason I'm doing this project" albums. I have never listened to Pulp before. I'd heard of them, and head of Jarvis Cocker, but never put forth effort to hearing any of their songs. I can't say why other than I just didn't give this band or any of the other Britpop groups any of my attention, other than Oasis. As soon as the record started I just dug the vibe. I loved his voice and the music, and as the album progressed I loved the different styles of songs too. I do agree with some of the reviews that it is a bit longer than it needs to be, but I'd probably only take out Seductive Barry if I was editing the record. Not that everything else is perfect, but I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the variety that was presented.
Pulp is one of my all-time favorites so I’m definitely biased on this one. It’s just fantastic for so many reasons. I feel like Pulp’s (and Blurs) 90s arc encapsulates the Britpop movement the best. His N Hers is brimming with life as the movement really goes into full flight, Different Class is the peak of the movement and tackles the central class themes of Britpop much better than its peers, and This Is Hardcore is the hangover from the party as the movement comes to an end. In terms of how it relates to the bands personal experience, it is a harsh rejection of the fame they had been seeking for over a decade. It is a purposefully going the other way as Different Class. The lyrics and sound all going into darkness, anxiety, fear, and isolation whereas its predecessor is a celebratory, unifying, call to arms. So of course Different Class will be more fun to return to. But in terms of executing the idea and mission of the record, it is just as good as Different Class. The Fear, Help the Aged, This is Hardcore, A Little Soul, and I’m a Man are all top tier Pulp songs. This record has its own unique texture compared to any of their others while still being undoubtedly Pulp. The B-sides are again excellent as is par for the course for their 90s work. The backside of the record could’ve been improved if they kept the original lyrics to Glory Days (Cocaine Socialism on the deluxe edition) and it does go on a bit long (fits with the hangover theme but feels like a cop out). I have grown to love all of the weaker songs on here but they are not as essential as Different Class where I can’t imagine any of the songs being cut. Definitely check out Like a Friend on the deluxe edition. It is one of their best but was made for a soundtrack so part of this era but not technically the album (same as Mile End from previous era). If you have the chance to see them live, I was lucky enough to go a month ago and they are phenomenal. Jarvis still sounds just as good as the 90s recordings. Rating: 4.8
Not for me. 1/5
This was fine, but at the end of the day nothing really stood out and it is largely forgettable. Better than most 2s. 2.5/5