Reviews (page 6 of 8)
Best Song: Like a Friend Worst Song: Seductive Barry
This sounds a lot like David Bowie. Not the worst, but I don't like brit-pop because of Oasis. Sorry, I have a personal beef with that band. I enjoyed this a bit more though.
This is good. Just not sure I was in the mood. I dint care for how he tried to sound like, and sing like Elvis Costello on a few songs. Also, a couple of songs got me wanting to listen to OK Computer. I'll listen again, but I wasn't feeling my first go around.
meh
Tasapainoinen brittirockplatta! 4/5
Hieman tylsähkö ysärirock-levy.
This grew on me the second time around.
Didn't listen to this when it came out, despite having bought and been quite keen on Different Class. Knew a couple of singles off it. Overall, I quite like it, although in retrospect Jarvis has a fairly weak voice. Amused by the line "I am not Jesus, though I have the same initials". A strong 3.
This is really good - I totally forgot about how good it is, and definitely almost on par with Different Class. There is a touch of Bowie in the songs, which I really like
One or two great songs but overall isn’t interesting.
Good album.
Much darker in tone, but a good album nonetheless
Just enough in here to give it a third star, but otherwise very derivative of Pink Floyd. Glad to be introduced to it.
Reminded me of the movie Love Actually.
First time listening to this band, a bit melancholic at times but overall enjoyable
on different class there was some interesting stuff going on sonically in spite of Cocker's massively unlistenable voice. here, the music is boring and his voice still sounds like he's auditioning for the part of a carefree and lively tree on a nicktoons animated series
I really like this album. The intensity, strong (but not too strong) musicianship, and moodiness capture the essence of (90s) Britpop. The oddly deep/bellowy Blackstar-era Bowie vocals took some getting used to, but once I did, it was a good time. Apart from the opening track (The Fear) and the title track, none of the tracks had particularly memorable hooks, but this was generally made up for by having a really gratifying emo-ish quality to it. Roaring, slightly distorted guitars, often without a distinctive riff and mostly providing a loud atmosphere. Fun use of synths in tracks like Party Hard – and not overused, which is a plus. Additionally, I did enjoy every single track (and added them to my Liked Songs playlist!). The same can't even be said for some of my all-time favourite albums. That's gotta count for something, right? 4/5 Key tracks: The Fear, Help The Aged, This Is Hardcore, I'm A Man
Good album. Surprised how much I liked it.
This is a stronger album than I remember. It doesn’t contain any of Pulp’s biggest hitters but singles like A Little Soul and the title track are low-key among their best work, and there aren’t any real duds. Thematically it’s very coherent; the meditations on ageing, decaying, desperation and the futility of it all are a refreshing change of pace for a Britpop album. It's often grimy and seedy but they still make it sound anthemic and, at times, even defiant.
Eh, nothing special here. Sorry Pulp, you’re a one album wonder.
Hell ye, this is hardcore
OK album. I didn't really connect to this and, admittedly, didn't have a ton of time to listen properly. Solid music, but I didn't respond strongly one way or another. ***
This is almost good! The songs are well structured, but they're stuck in basic chords and melodies. The lead guitar playing is interesting, but the guitar sound is horrible. The lyrics are great and audible, but sang in a monotonous voice that I can't stand. And they don't solve most of these problems until the last song!
Don’t like it quite as much as the other one but it’s still really good. Missed me the first time around but I’ll have to spend more time with it.
Never been a big fan of the voice or the sound. They had their short moment in a very long career but this is bland and nothing stands out.
Pretty grungy Brit rock. Some of the songs sound like something Cake would do. I feel like there are bands before, and after pulp that do this sound better. I find the writing to be underwhelming.
Fun
Приятный альбом.
2.5
I like Pulp. But I don't like this Pulp
Very fitting the first album of the 1001 I get is from one of my favourite bands! - This album isn't nearly as immediate as Different Class but is well worth repeat listens. In terms of a follow up to how big Class was, they can consider what they produced here to be very good material. - The first five tracks on here are an incredibly solid run. Hardcore is a phenomenal track and it's a shame The Fear hasn't made a return to the setlist in 2023/2024. - Glory Days is a fine track but would be better in it's original Cocaine Socialism format. - Day After The Revolution is an enjoyable closer but it's a big shame Like A Friend wasn't used instead (probably a top five Pulp track!).
Sooooo Britpop!! Jarvis particularly saucy on some of these. Fav tracks: help the aged, Sylvia, glory days, like a friend
Nice to have something challenge my britpop prejudices as I ended up enjoying quite a bit of this. When the lyrics aren't desperately horny they can be quite moving. Some of the melodies are sublime, it's just not my prefered instrumental pallete
Bit bored with this genre of music
A bold and ambitious follow up to Different Class. More mature and muted than it's predecessor with with themes of aging and desperation. No bouncy singles, but once again 100% achieves it's (very different) artistic intent. Rating: 4/5 Playlist track: Help The Aged Date listened: 11/06/24
They were trying so hard to be interesting, and there are scattered moments of value throughout. But they're too self-consciousness, and their singer can't decide if he wants to be David Bowie or Elvis Costello.
Jarv is king.
I had Pulp's Different Class on this list now almost 3 years ago. And where that album was upbeat, clever, but sneering, this album is a completely different beast. In opener 'The Fear' Jarvis Cocker warns: "This is the sound of someone losing the plot Making out that they’re okay when they’re not You’re gonna like it but not a lot" This album has been one of the slowest growth albums in my collection. I disliked it when it came out. It was too slow, too dark. I didn't know where to go with this. It sounded completely different than the last three Pulp albums. Over the years this album has become much more than that. It's a musical version of a Film Noir, it's heartbreaking. Musically it's not always tight, it sometimes even feels a bit chaotic, and that might have to do with the departure of guitarist Russell Senior. The lyrics are incredible and painful, and the music helps to enhance that feeling. Looking back, we're listening to the swan song of Brit-pop. "The sound of loneliness turned up to ten"
The introduction of CDs as the most popular album format has done disasterous things to album pacing
Låter som Bowie fast sämre.
I like the Trainspotting song. Otherwise, nope.
Not my thing either.
I kinda like it, save for the monotonous music in every song.
Surprisingly enjoyable
Very solid
just mid whatver ok fine
Eh
Weird but good.
This is... gross. Music is barely okay, and the rest is just forgettable. 2/5
Fick denna precis efter en kort period där jag lyssnade på just sån här musik, men det gör det inte dåligt för det, tvärtom. Innan så hade detta varit en ”meh”, men nu var det en ”okej👍”. Några ganska bra låtar. Jag hann inte lyssna på det så mycket men det får jag göra mer någon annan gång.
Well, they are my favorite so I am biased and of course this is perfect. What an amazing follow-up to another perfect album (Different Class). I don’t mind skipping ‘Seductive Barry’ though, and I infinitely prefer the version of ‘Like A Friend’ that’s on the soundtrack to A Life Less Ordinary, but that’s just a minor gripe.
I know I’m on the wrong side of history but I find this brand of navel gazing and mourning your own success so exhausting.
Actually wasn’t so bad
Just because they're from Sheff doesn't mean that I liked it. Bit dergy. Arctic Monkeys but depressed. Glory Days was good, but eerily similar to Common People...
Pulp is niks voor mij. Geen leuk album.
Liked it.
Low sing/talking sounds like Lou Reed / David Bowie The Fear (Am - E - F - C) reminds me of Muse. This is Hardcore reminds me of Pink Floyd's 'The Wall'. A Little Soul could be Tom Petty
What happened here..... You ever feel like you're a bad music fan for enjoying (or not enjoying) an album? That's what Pulp makes you feel here. Different Class, which precedes this, is sophisticated but also high-spirited and spunky. One of the peaks of britpop, in my mind. It's as if the band (or what was left of it by that time) grew to detest the people who enjoyed that record, leading them to create... this. It's dark, dreary, humdrum, and it completely removes the liveliness that was present in their previous effort. There are songs that are still good, but the overall sound makes you feel let down. And then you feel a bit pissed like, I'm sorry I enjoyed it when your music was fun, screw me I guess. Admittedly about half of the record is still good - The Fear, This is Hardcore, I'm a Man, Sylvia, Glory Days, and The Day After the Revolution. It's less of a hardcore record and more of a betrayal though. Hmph!
I like the genre, so I didn't hate this album. However, there's nothing in here that sets them apart, and I didn't LOVE any of the songs enough.
- Kannte Pulp vom Namen, habe aber nie bewusst etwas von denen gehört - Den ersten Track „The Fear“ kannte ich direkt und ich weiß nicht woher (irgendeine serie??), den ich sehr mag, aber ewwwwig nicht gehört habe - Auch der zweite Song „Dishes“ hat mir mega gut gefallen - Es kommen später nochmal ein zwei Lichtblicke aber insgesamt fällt das Album leider nach den ersten beiden Songs größtenteils doch ab. - An sich nichts verkehrtes und auch irgendwie entspannt zum Hören, aber auch nichts, wo ich jetzt super excited bin Rating: 3/5
- Das Album, bei der ich die Sprachnachricht bezüglich der Mediocrity der letzten Alben gemacht habe. - Ich fands eher so mediocre - Dafür, dass dieses Album 20 Jahre nach Gründung der Band veröffentlicht wurde, finde ich es sehr unangepasst und progressiv. Stilistisch holt es mich aber einfach nicht wirklich ab. - Habe so langsam das Gefühl, dass Britpop in diesen 1001 Alben ein wesentlich größere Rolle spielt, als ich vorher gedacht habe. 3/5
- Arschgeiler Einstieg mit The Fear - danach ging es etwas bergab und hat sich für mich auch nicht so wirklich wieder erholt - insgesamt also solala
Interesting listen. Not enamored. Some jams on here I would have liked a few years ago. Bit of a slog
I liked a couple songs well enough, but the rest was a slog.
Eh
This is a really interesting album with a range of styles. Would happily listen again.
There's definitely quite a bit of gothic and glam rock inspiration to be found on here, even if it does come off as a bit more artsy (and also a bit mellow) with some of the tracks. The vocalist's voice sort of reminds me of David Bowie in both his sincere and aggressive delivery.
I wasn’t expecting much from this. I’m not so I ended up liking it more than I thought I would.
not for me
What an uninspiring choice for the list. I don’t like Pulp but I know a couple of their hits and they’re not even on this album. This felt like the album of a band that had a big production budget but no decent songs. It was just an overblown, over produced, vapid, echoey mess.
Ominous and lush.
2,5
Not as musically catchy as previous albums but the lyrics are great!
B The Fear 4 Dishes 3 Party Hard 3 Help The Aged 4 This Is Hardcore 5 TV Movie 3 A Little Soul 3 I'm A Man 4 Seductive Barry 3 Sylvia 3 Glory Days 3 The Day After The Revolution 3 Good job Pulp, now stay tf away from my orange juice!
Not as accomplished as A Different Class, but still lyrically pointed and sprinkled with interesting melodic ideas. At its best when Jarvis Cocker is willing to get personal (see: A Little Soul, about his father’s abandonment).
Dette er det kjedeligste jeg har hørt hittil. Det var ikke en sang som var verdt å skrive hjem om.
Ok album. The first half had some good stuff in it, the second half was rather mediocre and meandering. Will give it another listen on a day that isn’t album release. 3/5.
Easy listening normal Pulp songs
Ugh. Another album that's boring as fuck. Why is it on this list? The vocals sound the same on every track. Low, bassy, unintelligible singing to start, then firmly in a Bowie baritone for the rest of the time. It's pretty obvious if you're a 90's Britpop/indie rock band from the UK with a couple of mediocre singles, you'll have at least 3 albums on this list. I listened to one of their other albums and it was better than this. So I'll be expecting that album eventually.
It's mellow and also poppy. Except Party Hard and Help the Aged, which is oddly mellow in the beginning and then they decided they didn't want it to be mellow and just changed it in the middle of the song. Not really something I'm expecting to listen to too often.
A fine brit-alt-rock album, though i don't think i'm 100% aligned with Jarvis' lyrical style... a few too many song lyrics seem like boring observations from a boring observer. Still songs like The Fear, I'm A Man and This is Hardcore are a bit more catchy and interesting.
At first I was digging it and as it went on I started to hate it.
this is a great album, i like different class quite a bit but this is better. 8/10
This ... is ... crap.
This album name is an utter lie. This isn't hardcore! Oh well, at least the album is good. With how much I've seen complaints about the overabundance of Britpop on this list, I haven't gotten very many Britpop albums as of lately, and the one's I've gotten so far have been mostly alright, with Pulp's "This is Hardcore" being no different. This album is fairly Bowie-esque in a way, mainly with the singing at times. I kind of like it. The sound is pretty enjoyable to listen to. The writing is slightly repetitive and the album is a bit long, but those are minor issues that don't really impact the album all that much. I think this is a pretty good album. Not the best I've listened to, but a fairly solid album that gives me a good first impression of Pulp. Maybe I'll like Different Class even more! Light 4/5.
Meh, not huge on Pulp, a few good songs here, not really interesting to me overall though, kinda overrated
Honestly WAY better than their earlier britpop stuff. I really like this as an epitaph to that era. The darker sound here is much more interesting to me and more varied as well. Their lyrics are a lot less trite and obnoxious too, with deeper subject matter reflecting the darker sound.
Primer acercamiento a Pulp en formato de LP. This Is Hardore cuenta con gran producción y composición en sus canciones (siendo Seductive Barry, a mi juicio, la más destaca por ello) así cómo letras satíricas con pegajosos coros. El disco cuenta con un concepto y temática que me resultaron atrapantes, pero que peca de una duración un tanto extensa para lo que ofrece. Buen álbum con algunas canciones increíbles. Esperando que el algoritmo me vuelva a recomendar otro LP de Jarvis y compañía!! FAVTRAXS: The Fear, Help The Aged, This Is Hardcore, Seductive Barry, The Day After The Revolution LEASTFAV: Party Hard 3.5/5
This was pretty good
This album was good, but ran too long. It is a Britpop centric album with psychedelic, post-punk, and chamber pop influences. While I did enjoy it, I found some of the lyrics to be a bit simplistic though I enjoy Jarvis Cocker’s spoken style singing. Overall, a good record that doesn’t quite meet the threshold of their earlier releases.
Smooth and enjoyable
Tamed Bowie, and I mean that as a compliment. Way more standard than a Bowie album, but I love it all the same. Surprise hit for me.
This is not hardcore.
On Pulp's arguably most mature release they move a little away from in-your-face catchiness for a more cerebral, sensual, sweaty play. There is some distinctly nasty tone to everything and that makes it all just oh so much more voluptuous.
Britpop/indie pop similar to Oasis or Suede. Not too bad at all. Favourite songs: Glory Days, The Fear, I'm A Man, Sylvia, Party Hard, Help the Aged, A Little Soul Least favourite songs: Seductive Barry Dishes, This is Hardcore, The Day After the Revolution 4/5
Never heard of them. A nice, funny, near Bowie experience. I’d listen again but probably not seek it out.
I don't mind Pulp, got Jarvis' book on my "to read" list... but i expected more. If this was a vinyl I'd guess it was side B before I heard something I liked - after that it was OK.
Jarvis is like if Morrissey wasn't allergic of sex. He's like David Bowie if he could write interesting lyrics and music. I never really looked much past Help The Aged on this one in the past, but I should have. The same wry humour that was present on Different Class is sprinkled throughout this album. This also made me remember the absolute madness of Jarvis Cocker on Ali G singing Help The Aged in the most unhinged way. Core memory unlocked.
Este album es magnífico.
Ik denk bij hardcore aan iets heel anders. Dit is eigenlijk wel relaxte popmuziek. De nummers zijn ook echt heel aangenaam om naar te luisteren, maar het is geen hardcore. **
Highlights: The Fear, This Is Hardcore, TV Movie, A Little Soul, I'm A Man, Seductive Barry, Glory Days. In a nutshell: the sound of someone losing the plot. This is Pulp as we know it. And it's not. It's darker, dirtier and more cynical than Different Class. Some trademark Pulp elements remain. The glam era and plastic soul era Bowie vibes. The disco flourishes. Bryan Ferry crooning. The mood setting synth. The clever, sarcastic and sex-charged lyrics are still there (a la Cohen and Gainsbourg). It also feels like the worst hangover of your life. For context, Jarvis wanted to be in a famous band since he was a kid. Pulp finally became a success after nearly 17 years of plodding along. And then *that* BRIT Awards incident happened. Within hours, anonymity was stripped, the criticism was scathing instead of warranted. Jarvis had a menty-b (who wouldn't?). Because of this time of exile and self reflection, we got a pivotal album of the late 90s- This is Hardcore. A lot of reviewers on here may have missed the point on the title track. It's not supposed to be erotically hardcore, nor is the concept of being hardcore an overarching theme of the album. Jarvis compared fame- and being famous- to pornography. A bad pornographic film. Showbiz is intended to be titillating and glamorous. It's not. Fame and the entertainment industry is meticulously staged. As the star, people hype up you up. You do your thing. Then it's over before you can blink. Today's news, tomorrow fish and chip paper as the saying goes. Kinda poetic, really. Pulp recorded three albums that captured the rise (His n Hers), the peak (Common People) and demise (This Is Hardcore) of a cultural movement. Overall: 7/10
Very mid album Top tracks: Help The Aged, Glory Days
New to Pulp from this list. I can now confirm I don't like this band. Will I listen to again: 0%
Pulpin different classille aikoinaan vitosta annettiin ja reviewetä siteeraten tämäkin albumi "hittas".. mutta heh ei tunne tasolla... paukutusta päähän taas 1001 ja enemmän sinne mentävä..
First time hearing this band. Seems a lot more talking than singing. It's okay, not really what I would describe as 'hardcore'. Didn't skip any songs. Probably wouldn't listen again though. 3/5
I know Pulp from their song "Common People," never listened to a full album, but I'm excited for this one. Lots of really interesting production decisions on this, with heavy horns and lush strings. 3/5
Not really my thing
How many Pulp albums are on this list? So annoying and pretentious that I can’t even get through one song. This band is wildly overrated.
I tend to love Pulp, and I had rated this album well previously, but it’s just not doing it for me today. Jarvis Cocker of Pulp is masterful though, he writes some great songs and the band plays like Bowie.
It started out strong with The Fear, then took a dive with Dishes and Party Hard.. After those two the album got into its groove again and stayed there till the end. I hated the aforementioned songs so much I cannot give this more than a 4, without them- it would have been a 5.
Pulp > Oasis
Alright 5/10
I like this energy and these lyrics. "The Fear" is a strong start to this album. "Dishes" follows up by somehow being both silly and serious. Love the title track too! Surprised by how much I liked this album.
It's a clear statement of maturity, a move from the jolly and fun sound of "Different Class" to a darker, deeper atmosphere. It can be seen in the title, using the word "hardcore". The cover art portraying a half-naked woman in a black-velvet red color scheme. The general sound, which is rockier and less poppy than "Different Class". And it worked. Not as good as "Different Class", but an elegant follow-up nonetheless.
A really sick album, amazing music is a constant throughout it. Its easy listening on a first run through which is impressive. Very fun very cool very whatever, i dunno its good. Also an amazing start to the album, super strong super cool, super swag
This is a good one. Kinda like that first arcade fire for middle age. Follows the formula of "common people" - deeply sung/half spoken verse with simple bass and drums, soaring chorus. Malaise and shit. A week or two after listening again, have kinda been unable to remember specifics of songs. First half stronger. Have to be in the mood a little, unlike the common people album which puts you in the mood for itself.
Drags slightly, but the haunting, uncertain mood really sticks with the listener.
Definitely not Pulp's best album, but there is still a lot to love here. It still has a lot of the same energy as Different Class, but definitely in a slightly more watered down way. The vocals are as good as they always are, and the majority of the songs are classic sounding Pulp. A handful of moments definitely drag on, but nothing that is too detrimental to the album as a whole.
David Bowie vs. Elvis Costello. 3/5
I will listen again
sorry u went thru that bro
I loved the sound and probably will become one of my favorite albums over time . Sylvia and the title track were good listens
not my thing
Much of the music is harsh when listening on headphones. I'm not a fan of Jarvis Cockers voice, but with that said, I like the track "The Fear"
Excellent LP, title track is superb.
I kind of like The Fear
Another one of those UK choices that just doesn't do much for me and leaves me shaking my head... so many bands that the author of the book missed completely that IMHO are infinitely better than this. Shriekback comes immediately to mind.
3.5/4
Quiet, whisper rock that did nothing for me.
Bowie/costello/weezer/new wave vibe
Sen máis a verdade, non moi alá, e que na última canción dura 14 minutos e dende o minuto 4 só é como ruido, pois xd saes
This is not hardcore. I've listened to my fair share of hardcore and this is not it. This is more David Bowie-esque rock without David Bowie.
Not for me
Was ready to dismiss this pretty early on, but I enjoyed the back half of the album. Could be a 3.5 (as long as we’re on the 12 track version)
I quite enjoyed this one
Have never listened to an entire Pulp record and I found this to be a pretty happy experience. A couple of the more jangly art-pop tracks weren't so much my vibe but there was a lot that was - give me some wine and cheese and I could really brat about to this. Three and a half. Fave track: This is Hardcore
90s rock with bad lyrics and a terrible album cover
Sounds like Bowie covers. And what the hell was the idea of the last song being so long. Annoyed the shit out of me.
Underrated, cocaine shouldn't sound so good fr fr
Not as bad as I was expecting. Not a lot of Britpop has held up well over the years, and Pulp are no exception. But they were always a bit more cerebral than the other knuckle-draggers and overgrown school prefects. Patchy this one, I frankly detest the title track and "Help the aged" but some of the faux cinematic stuff is a bit stronger, and the opener does sound like a cold night after the pubs have shut and you missed the last bus. But if you are going to copy Bowie, copy the good stuff. Can't work out if this needs to sound less creepy and overblown or more. One listen was enough thanks.
Mediocre, to the edge of boring.
It’s hard to rate this one, I think it might be a real grower, so ideally I’d give it a few listens to let it sink in. A Little Soul and Sylvia are pretty immediate, but there are lines in most of the tracks that I thought were great. Predictably, I’m going to sit on the fence with a three for now.
This is Hardcore This is great, I love Different Class, but this might sneakily be my favourite pulp album. I certainly listen to it more frequently than DC. It has that dark, melancholic atmosphere, that is very evocative of the post Britpop period. Some great songs and great lyrics, wry, grown up but also funny. It’s not as immediate or as obviously tuneful as DC, the melodies aren’t straightforward, but they really get their hooks into you once you’ve heard them a few times. And all the songs fit so well with the feel and themes of the album. Overall it’s such and interesting album, maybe it’s quite hard to figure out, but it rewards repeat listens. Is it a 4 or a 5…I think it it falls just on the side of a 4, but it’s close to a 5 for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I wanted to like this more but, meh
Lourd et épais comme un cocon, familier.
Ok. Nothing earth shattering but not too offensive despite the cover looking bad.
i loved this!!!
this is a good and interesting album! the album starts off strong, with the first five tracks being bangers, though party hard is the weakest of the five. TV movie is the first boring one. a little soul sounded like the 90s britpop idea of what a bruce springsteen song sounded like. seductive barry was too long and weird. love how most of these songs have 1-3 million streams on spotify except for the day after the revolution, which only has 70k. what happened??? after two full listens, i still jammed to the first part of the album the most and the middle and end didn't really make an impact. still solid overall though. favorites: the fear, dishes, help the aged, this is hardcore
Decent.
I wasn’t super impressed with the first track—nothing wrong with it, but it didn’t seem to be anything special. But I loved the second track, “Dishes,” and it completely changed how I heard the rest of the album. There’s a definite Bowie influence here. The thing I like about Britpop is the catchiness it has compared to grunge, and though this album has some darkness to it, the songs remain catchy, memorable, and fun. There are some sonic similarities to Super Furry Animals (who I adore), but this feels less experimental and a bit more grounded. Tracks 2-4 are top notch. “I’m A Man” and “Sylvia” are also bangers. After my first listen, I wasn’t certain how I was going to rate it. I gave it a second listen and enjoyed it more the second time through. I think I’m probably going to grow to like this album more with repeated listens. I think though I’d probably give it a 4.5 if I could, I’m going to round down because it didn’t grab me as effectively on first listen. But I have a feeling I may one day regret giving it only a 4. EDIT: It's been two years since this initial listen, but I've come to absolutely adore Pulp—and it all started with this album. I don't think "This is Hardcore" is a perfect record, but it has a viewpoint, great songs, and launched my personal love for Pulp and Jarvis Cocker. "The Fear" has grown on me considerably, but it really works best when compared to the music Pulp had released up to that point. "Dishes" remains a favorite. "Like A Friend" is another all-timer for me (though I know it technically doesn't come from this album). Anyway, all things considered, I have come to regret that initial 4 star rating, and have come to rectify it.
1998 Genre: Art rock, glam rock, Britpop Singles: ---------------------------------- Help the Aged (#8, UK) This Is Hardcore (#12 UK) A Little Soul (#22, UK) Party Hard (#29 UK) 5/5: Help the Aged, This is Hardcore, 4/5: Party Hard, The Fear, Dishes, TV Movie, A Little Soul, I'm a Man, Silvia, Sounds a bit like Bowie at times. Rating: 4/5
Worth a 3 but I got soooo bored by the end of it.
OK music, but tiring to listen to the whole album at once.
Great album. Like it very much.
Some songs, like Help the Aged, This is Hardcore and Sylvia, are really good. Somgood that even David Bowie would be proud. Some songs, like I’m A Man and Glory Days, are almost good, but a tiny bit too boring. Unfortunately some songs are also plain boring, such as Seductive Barry, Party Hard and Dishes. And why finish with an 11 minute track? So what could be a 4 star record with an acceptable playtime, becomes a 3 star album that’s at least 20 minutes too long. Yes, I’m looking at you, Seductive Barry and The Day after The Revolution!
No me ha gustado. Muy típicas las canciones y además insoportables
Okay
Interessante Musik, zum nebenbei hören okay.
I don't like of Pulp's songs
Don't love the vocals on most of the tracks. Overall meh, 2*. Bailed during the long outro because there was just nothing there. Enjoyed: help the aged (kinda reminds me of Ok Go)
Solid outing and a great sound.
Pulp is a still low key gem, they never became huge but they sure are great
This was an OK album to listen to. The songs were fairly simple but the orchestration and production made it more interesting. The lyrics were also fairly interesting, but the lead singer’s voice was mediocre at best. If I had to listen to it again, I’d prefer it in small doses
31/100 Based on this scale: 1 star - 0 to 19 2 stars - 20 to 39 3 stars - 40 to 59 4 stars - 60 to 79 5 stars - 80 to 100 Not actually bad, but not good either. The best parts can best be described as "okay" and the worst parts are just boring. I tend to ignore lyrics, but from the bits I noticed, they're probably the best thing about this band.
Really boring and not at all what i thought when I read "this is hardcore". No songs stand out and the whole album just wasn't my style
Ehh it wasn’t something I would come back to. Too long for what it offered. Title track was ok.
El penúltimo disco de los britpoperos más intelectuales de Inglaterra carece de su guitarrista y violinista, y se nota bastante. Si bien las letras de Jarvis Cocker siguen siendo tan afiladas como siempre, el sonido del disco es bastante pantanoso y poco definido. Mucho peor que su antecesasor "Different class". Aun así, destaco la pista "A Little Soul".
2/5 naaah
edgy rock
Really liked this.
Just an average album by Pulp. Couple of nice songs, including the self-titled, but otherwise just a background theme for the afternoon. Not much to say, honestly.
I've never heard any music from this band Am familiar with the name. But this is completely blind for me. The first song's lyrics really makes me think I am going to hate this band: "a monkeys built a house on your back. You can't get anyone to come in the sack." The second song leads me to believe thwt I'm still going to hate this band: "I'm not Jesus... But we have the same initials." Song 3 continues to add to awful lyrics: "I was having a whale of a time until your uncle. Your uncle psychosis arrived" Song 4's lyrics are bad but nothing shines through as God awful. It's not just the lyrics, it's how he sings them. It's brutal. It makes me think of a man in his 40s writing like he is an angsty preteen. Annnnd we are back on to song 5: "you are hardcore. You make me hard" - it's clear this dude is wanting to make hardcore porn with whomever. He comes off as a predator: "I want it bad. I want it now. Oh can't you see I'm ready now? I've seen all the pictures. I studied them forever. I wanna make a movie, so let's star in it together, oh. Don't make a move 'til I say action" - the cover of this album is definitely about this song. It also is the title track. What a shitty song. Wow. There isn't anything good about it. The music is e en generic as Fuck. Sure it has some string instruments that arguably aren't of the norm but it's just boring. Uninspiring. It's honestly akin to a daytime soap opera. I have to add this fucking awful bridge, if you will... Remember the theme is fucking: "Oh, that goes in there. Then that goes in there. Then that goes in there. And then it's over." I'm starting to laugh at how awful this is. Moving on. Next song. Hahaha. Fuck. A song about missing someone and not being able to have sex. And a pathetic plea for someone to stay! This album surprises me. Each song gets worse and worse. How is this album on this list? I can see some people liking aspects of it. Some music is well written and interesting. But it is in no way in a tier of 1001 albums you must listen to. The next song is a song about telling someone not to be like them. Treat your woman right. I have no soul. I'm a piece of shit. He should've added "I can't write good lyrics." Because the next song is entitled 'I'm a Man' - I read the lyrics first. And I actually didn't hate them. Nothing too embarrassing. So... I hit play. And the way he sings this song just wrecks it. I get this weird Bowie meets gothic rock vibe that the singer is going for. And he is doing a horrible job at it. And it come off very whiney and paired with the lyrics, very pathetic. I don't understand why this dude is hypersexual? Why are his lyrics geared to seduction? It's not even remotely performed. If you've ever seen the movie Mandy, with Nicholas Cage. I don't know what the lead singer looks like, but he reminds me of The antagonist cult leader... This next song follow suits with the shit this writer comes up with: "when I close my eyes I can see you lowering yourself to my level. I don't know where you got those clothes. But you can take them off if it makes you feel better" Followed by rapey forceful lyrics: "now here's an exclusive. I've wanted you for years I only needed the balls to admit it. When the unbelievable object meets the unstoppable force. There's nothing you can do about it. Fuck I wish that was the last song. Next song is straight forward. Cookie cutter. At least the lyrics aren't horrible. This should've been the last long of the record as it has a grandiose ending. But wait.. there's more. The final two songs are kind of a departure for the album. They're not overly awful. I feel like if I hadn't listened to shit from the songs prior I would probably score them worse. But by contrast it's better. To me, the lead singer does everything I hate in music. Especially with his writing: lyrics and melodies. The ending to the last song is absolutely pointless. It's just the same synth noise for like 10 minutes. Why? Why keep me here? And then a random "Buh, bye!"? Hahaha. This can't be a serious album. It just can't. How? I feel like I wasted my time with this record. But I promised to not skip anything so I at least tried to have fun with writing a reivew of it. It still wasn't fun. Analyzing the lyrics made me hate this even more. If I could go less than a 1 star, I would. It's a zero. I big fat zero. Fuck. I'm glad it is over. Never in my wildest dreams would I return to this band. I don't care if they wrote the best album ever written. Because of this album, I refuse to look further. If they're on this list again, I will have to get really high or drunk to get through it.
Wasn’t familiar with genre Britpop before 1001 and Im not a fan. It’s currently last in my genre rankings. But this was admittedly better than others I’ve heard. Dishes and I am a Man were alright
Listen to this one again, I didn’t get enough time with it the first trip through.
well it's not different class the fear this is hardcore i'm a man seductive barry sylvia glory days
The album AFTER the big one. Clear growing pains, but not a surprise given the explosion in popularity. And can't help feeling let down by this effort. Still a fine record though.
Was okay but nothing that memorable
could i write poetry to this? probably
Surprise, surprise...another Brit-Pop album. A bit better than the others we've heard recently. Bowie-esque, by way of Boomtown Rats. This is why you don't let Doug pick all the music for a long road trip.
I suspect this album is going to grow on me, so let's say it's a 3.5 for now.
Not as good as Different Class or His n Hers, but a fine outing.
I can't add much to the review currently topping this section. It's just a *perfect* review, and it encapsulates everything I think or "feel" about this particular album (which I have on my shelves, along with a couple other Pulp albums, plus two compilations). Awesome job to whoever wrote this one. The title-track, "This Is Hardcore", is indeed a dark masterpiece, and the rest of the LP is indeed "difficult" on several levels (lyrical, musical, topical...). So only... *hardcore* fans of Pulp would have you believe this one is an "essential record". I am a huge fan of *Different Class*. But a *hardcore* fan of Pulp I am not. I just merely like this particular album for what it is, i.e. an experimental way out of the dead end that britpop had become. A quick note about the death of britpop to wrap things up: with their eponymous album, Blur had managed to find their own way out of this "style" while retaining their sense of fun and excitement. Pulp, being older than Blur, chose to embrace some sort of cynical, nihilistic posturing instead. And the results of this stance can only be alienating to large swaths of a general audience. Consciously or unconsciously, this is probably the endpoint Jarvis Cocker wanted to reach with this one. *This Is Hardcore* is therefore a success on its own terms. But those terms can't really apply to a list only comprising "essential albums", can they? 3/5 for the purposes of said list. Which translates to a 8/5 grade for assessing albums in more general terms (5+3). Number of albums left to review: 342 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 298 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 158 Albums from the list I won't include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 211 (including this one)
I enjoyed Seductive Barry and hated the last song. The rest of it was fine.
Not good
Felt quite generic to me, but get they are big (I just do not enjoy them)
No Common People, boo! Overall a hum-drum of an album.
A good album, wasn’t sure if I would like Pulp given how overplayed their big hits are but enjoyed it.
Found a new band I dig. Experienced in Oasis and Blur, and I liked this a bit more. Going to explore the rest or their discography. Very much influenced by Robert Smith, Bowie, The Smiths... Cool stuff.
Really cool sound. Kinda Bowie-ish, with great stylish vocals.
I like Pulp in general, some great tracks on this album but overall kinda just solid above-average listening, not too much to grab on to after the title track. Cool dark bitter Bowie vibes. Opener "The Fear" is a standout. 3 - will probably listen again
It was alright, not groundbreaking for me or anything.
Strong start and finish. Rating 3.
They lyrics are so poetic and complement the music perfectly. This was my intro to Pulp and I think I need to listen to more.
Sounds like middle era Bowie but not as interesting. Didn’t really dig it
Wat? Dit is echt totaaaaal geen hardcore hahaha Dit is SPR(Slappe Piemel Rock) joh, snap ik het dan niet? De titelsong(This is hardcore) laat de zanger een beetje zeikerig thiiiiiis iiiiis haaaardcoooooooore zingen. Het zal wel. Ik vind dit een ontzettend nietszeggend album: 2 sterrren.
Known before: Standouts: 8. I'm A Man 10. Sylvia Rating: 6.0
Known before: / Standouts: / Rating: 5.0
Known Before: No Standouts: No 7.0
Guitars are rad but vocals are neither captivating or insightful. Shitty David Bowie.
Little bit Roxy Music, little bit the kinks all British.
aika mid et niiku salee hittais jos ois mielentilas mut emt ei kyl ny
Album cover 🥵
Muse meets Tim Burton meets turning the volume way down. Really had to turn up the volume to hear this album, and in there i didn't find much. Some anthemic crooning britpop songs, no major standouts. Would have been much better if they snuck in Party Hard by Andrew WK (the original, not a cover) into the album. Otherwise a terrible song by that name.
This sounds like a mix of late ‘90s indie and garage put together by an expert mix. Made by a band that clearly knew how to structure their tunes and write good music. An excellent and diverse listen. Brilliant.
Brit poo 5/10
This is one where I don’t understand why it’s on the list. The music is fine but not terribly notable, and it’s way too late for it to have been influential on its style which is from at least a decade earlier. Weird pick
A few poppy hooks and sparse original melodies not supported by an overindulgent lead singer.
Not entirely sure how to rate this? Can take it or leave it musically, a pretty standard "parts I liked, parts I didn't" thing. But to be honest the lyrics and story told by them makes me want to give it either a 1 or 5 and I can't tell which. The stages of realization of what's actually happening made my jaw drop better than any show or movie have in a long time.
I didn’t expect to know any songs but I knew three! It was too long and kinda whiny in tone! I liked the vibes but it’s not something I really wanna listen to again.
It was better than I thought. It was not something I’d listen to again that easily but it was an enjoyable listen. His voice grates.
Theres a certain sound indie has that I don't care for but can tolerate. However, the vocals and weird spoken word segments made this album unpleasent at best and infuriating at worst to listen to.
Some songs really resonated with me, but many others just didn’t hit. I enjoyed the diversity, but overall I feel like the package was a bit weak.
reminded me of Ours. really like it, especially as it got further into the album.
Wasn't mad about the first track, 'The fear'. Nevertheless a few good songs like "This is hardcore" got my attention. Really liked it. A few not so good tracks - e.g. 'Help the aged'. A fair 3 out of 5
Was not Hardcore at all. Liked few Songs more than i expected but overall its not a bad album, but also not that good, that i will revisit anytime soon! (2.5/5)
Nice listen
Still don't care for Pulp. And it's definitely not hardcore.
Its ok liked I'm a Man and This is Hardcore
V good
Poop
Better than most Britpop I've come across.
A more mature album than the previous Pulp album. It has later stage David Bowie & Blur vibes. It's good, but I think I need to listen to to again to really like it. It's one of those that probably gets better the more you listen. 3.5 stars for now.
This was not all that good, honestly. I expected better
Seemed like a satire album at the start. Got better.
3.5 if I could. Its an easy listen and one that I would say that I like but not much that I would add to a playlist or come back to over and over again.
Heel erg Bowie light, tis wel oké maar voelt alsof je naar een onbekend album van Bowie. Gitaar spel wel hard
Echt een stom album, een soortcslap aftreksel van david bowies muziek. Niet mijn smaak.
Boring
BRILLIANT
Not different class but good
It's OK
I can see the value in it but it really is not my cup of tea. I quite enjoyed the first song but found the rest of the album to just drag along.
Not big on the vocal performance here, but I can see why some may love it. Feels a little disjointed.
Brit pop! Not actually hardcore. 3.2
I was nervous about this because I had in my head for some reason that I wouldn't like Pulp... I hadn't listened to them purposefully and didn't know much about them at all. I also saw the length of the album and was filled with dread. Now after listening to this album I feel like that's really quite criminal!! This will become one of those great discoveries from doing this for me. I ended up listening to the whole album a few times and really loving it. I loved listening to an old-school double-sider where it has new life almost in the second half, fun to imagine that would be a different record you'd have to change. It was a real two-part story with epic highs and lows. Love his voice and now I realise other music from Jarvis Cocker that I love and it becomes a theme. Love his sound and personality on the tracks, don't know much about him though! I especially liked Sylvia.
I've warmed to Pulp over the years but I have to say this wasn't my most favourite of them. I enjoyed a couple of them but some of the rest I wasn't overly keen on - definitely not the hits that we all know and love!
I love Pulp, they are great. I love the lyrics, they are so simple and to the point usually. Jarvis' voice is so iconic and the general theme is excellent throughout. I prefer Different Class to This is Hardcore but it's still a banger
I came to Pulp quite late, about uni time, they are now probably in one of my top 3 bands, Jarvis's lyrics and voice are just amazing, I love the storytelling in his songs. This album I haven't listened to as much as His 'n' Hers and Different Class but still love it. TV Movie is so sad, listened to that one a few times. The last track Like A Friend is v good as well, makes me think of a lot of past interactions
Sounds like uninspired 90s Bowie. I guess it's ahead of its time, compared to a lot of the mid-aughts indie rock bands like Franz Ferdinand? I feel like the standards for "great" British bands collapsed after the Beatles. Any bullshit like this or Oasis is considered amazing, when in fact it's just boring, derivative rock.
I was previously unaware of Pulp. My first impression: Jarvis Cocker seems like an average guy with a rare ability to succinctly and honestly describe his everyday experience. I hear My Chemical Romance, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, U2, Blue October, perhaps influenced by or influenced. I appreciated the sober takes in "Help the Aged," "A Little Soul," "Glory Days," and "The Day After the Revolution," and the style of "Seductive Barry." These lines stood out on my first listen: "...I'm not worried that I'll never touch the stars 'Cause stars belong up in heaven And the earth is where we are Oh yeah." Adding "This Is Hardcore" to my "check out further" list.
Very boring
This one exceeded my expectations. Not very much I can say, other than it was very good. I’d listen again, and I’ll probably be checking out more of Pulp’s music. 8/10 Top 5: 1. Sylvia 2. Like A Friend 3. The Fear 4. Help The Aged 5. The Day After The Revolution
Enjoyed much of it. Familiar sound. But never heard of them before this.
7/10 pretty solid
Another one that is ok. Didn’t hate it, but not very interesting.
Schöner sanfter Rock, zwischen melancholisch und Singer-Songwriter.
Good, but not many bangers on here. Just good.
I liked it, but didn’t love it.
First time listening to Pulp and will listen again.
never heard this album in full before quite enjoyed it not sure i will revisit it though some highlights
Not Different class levens of good but still alright
1. the fear - 1 2. dizhez - 1 3. party hard - 1 4. help the aged - 1 5. thiz iz hardcore - 1 6. tv movie - 1 7. a little zoul - 1 8. im a man - 1 9. zeductive barry - 1 10. zeductive zylbvia - 1 11. glory dayz - 1 12. the day after the revolution - 1
70 minutes of this bullshit!? Are you joking me!? I wish it were hardcore...
Don’t see how this makes it into this sort of list, very forgettable pop music, I couldn’t find anything to like
Shame he can't sing, as he's a great frontman. Songs are a bit hit and miss, but at least they are songs with melodies. Not for me, but I can see there's something there for someone.
Otro disco de hueva, nada rescatable.
Enjoyed
Competent third installment of a great run for this band as they hit their stride. Punchy poppy density digestible however quirky creative and fun
This was hardcore, but nice! Good Sunday vibes:))
thematically very interesting with a unique vibe and solid instrumentals, the singing seems designed to hide a lack of singing ability, while interesting there's not a lot of memorable or catchy songs
Nothing memorable
Couldn't get into it, was maybe two passable songs
With ears formed in the 2010s and Pulp thoughts fully-formed in my brain, the shared lineage with recent Arctic Monkeys is clear even if the comparison is carefully non-sonic. The elder crew, that is, navigates their record with more emotional range. More stylistic range, too, but that makes This Is Hardcore less cutting as it strives. Real grown-up stuff, in a weird formal zone maybe or just a 90s birth.
I'm pretty sure I've heard the band's name before but I don't recall hearing any of their music. The vocalist reminds me of a few other singers -- sorry, blanking on names -- but not in a bad way. The performances by the musicians are excellent. Some very skilled players on all instruments, and the compositions and arrangements are done very well, too. Overall, I found this to be enjoyable rock-pop with an interesting sound to it.
I helped the aged
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I feel like I’ve been inundated with 90s rock on this list for about a week but this isn’t bad. I enjoy his voice. The only issue for me is length. Added to playlist: Sylvia
First time I listened to this one, after hearing the brilliant Different Class album hundreds of time. First impression: some great songs like Sylvia, some for Pulp standards less appealing, let's give it 3 stars and try it a few times more, it might grow on me.
First time running thru this and it was enjoyable. It’s a girthy album but didn’t feel weighed down with too much fat. Aside from A Little Soul, there aren’t any stinkers. Pulp’s strength is their ability to architect epic pop rock tracks, they build and burst with excellent strings, piano’s, horns, just a great full sound with some moodiness. Seems to be a strong Bowie/The Cure influence and I’d guess the Artic Monekey’s were influenced by Pulp. Really enjoyed this, standout tracks The Fear, This is Hardcore, The Day After the Revolution and Like a Friend. 4 stars
Good stuff
Great production and sophisticated, anthemic tracks. I can definitely see thousands of British teens singing their hearts out to each one of the songs in the album. Good stuff
Didn’t particularly like it, there were some good tracks but overall not my thing. 2.5/5
10/10 damn, I loved the other Pulp stuff I’ve heard, but this is peak
This is more interesting and layered than I had expected. Good album!
Pulp's "In Utero." Dour and uncertain after a cult classic. What it lacks in Nirvana's vitriol it makes up for in cinematic grace, especially on the title track.
Cool album, not my favourite
Very decent, flowed together well.
3 britpop bores me
Nah. Not for me. The vocals are annoying, the music is boring. I wanted to finish the album as soon as possible and it shouldn't be on the list.
Instant obsession
This album have grown on me. It started at the end of first listening. That make me listen it one more time and I don't regret it. It is a bit boring sometimes but it's not bad. Stockholm syndrome? Maybe
Best Song: Like A Friend. This song rocked the hardest (still meager) and was a signal that the album was almost over. Worst Song: Seductive Barry. A prime example of this album's meandering, unedited efforts. This song makes no use of its over 8 minute runtime except make awkward, patently unsexy attempts at being flirtatious. Overall: The audacity to call such a milquetoast album "This is Hardcore". Literally none of this album fits any definition of hardcore. It's all just your stock standard British fare of the time, bloated to a runtime that exceeds an hour. Couldn't wait for it to be over.
Moody AF
Needed more sleeze
4/5
i can't say i was anticipating an album named this is hardcore to have its second song to be about cleaning the dishes comparing himself to jesus, but i guess that's where my day took me. with this album being released in 1998, i was surprised how similar it was to david bowie's music. even the lead singer's voice sounds like david bowie? if i didn't know better, i'd bet money that this was david bowie, not just music that took david bowie inspiration. not terrible, though i couldn't find much original about this music. as always, i've definitely heard worse music on this list!
This was an interesting thing to hear, honestly. It sounded like typical 90s Britpop, but done by someone who really wanted to sound (musically and vocally) like David Bowie. It's like a little window into an alternate reality where David Bowie blended into the typical 90s Britpop craze. The album was definitely not bad, but I could have probably gone without it, especially if I was just thinking about David Bowie the entire time. Probably a 2.5, but not enough to bring it up to a 3 in my opinion. On a sidenote, there is just SO MUCH average 90s Britpop on this project.
Gotta say I’m more of a greatest hits fan when it comes to this band. But if you’re a Pulp fan you’ll love it. Not sure what people who have never heard their music will think 🤔
only could find this one song. liked the songc
Great
This was just ok. Not my kind of music and sadly no stand out songs.
Not Hardcore but angst-ridden and a teensy bit self-indulgent, self-flagellating, woe is me and my career! Don’t get me wrong! I love Pulp - but I loved the raw, humorous, observational energy of their earlier records more. This has entered the realms of derivative and bemoaning of life. I wonder if this was because at the height of their fame, and pursued by paparazzi, it was all too much for JC. I still think he’s a great songwriter, but I would say this was hitting a downward trend.
This was my review of the last Pulp album we heard and it remains true. “ I don’t think I ever knew Pulp, but they sound so familiar and I enjoyed this album thoroughly.’ Reminiscent of Morphine and Cousteau. I kind of want to give it a 5, but I’m going to go with a robust 4.
I think I can count Pulp pas the band I'm most glad I discovered as part of this exercise. I was teetering on 4/5 for this, but as I'm about to go back and listen to this and Different Class again, right now, it's got to get the 5 for stoking my interest.
I find it hard to care about the narrator of these songs. And the music isn't doing it for me, either. And it's too long. Other than that, awesome.
I really dug this
Nice one solid 4
If you close your eyes, you can believe this album is Dracula: the musical. Not as cool as the album cover would lead you to believe.
I don’t know what this is supposed to be.
Shame track 11 wasn’t a Springsteen cover. Or maybe not?
я недавно поняла что Палп мне активно не нравится. но этот альбом лучше чем тот с коммон пипл