Jarvis Cocker - is he as good people say?
Posted by Commoner on 20 July 2008 - 5:12pm.
A friend is trying to get me to appreciate all things Cocker but I struggle although I did groove to Different Class when it came out but then I sort of lost the scent. Can the Word Massive help me understand why he is considered sooooo cool because I fear I have a cultural blindspot. Or should I not fret....
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Pffftttt!
Get into Jarvis by all means, but the idea that anyone can get to a point where they have no cultural blindspots is as daft as it is unatainable.
Isn't it better just to like what you like rather than feel you have to tick the boxes out of fear that someone might discover your knowledge of Underground Neo-Finnish Gabba isn't quite up to scratch?
Its not that I want to be popular
its just that i dont want to miss out on things I would benefit from....I still dont like the Stones much but came to terms with that years ago....however I am working hard with Billy Bragg after similar advice from part of the Massive...
Suffering a cool reputation
I think JC has actually suffered to some extent because of his 'cool' reputation.
The one thing which seems to me to be missed because of this 'cool' stuff is that the tunes both from Pulp and on JC's solo album are phenomenal. The words are great, but for me the tunes are better!
While I like 'Different Class' I think a few listens to 'This is Hardcore' would remove the scales from your eyes. Slightly less commercial and from Jarvis's 'unhappy' period, but utterly great nevertheless
Good thread!
I was a Jarvis skeptic, mainly because I can't abide people who have clearly crawled miles over broken glass to become stars then whinge on about the pain of being famous (ref. Rea, C). Also he's a professional Northerner which I always find a bit trying (re. Hawley, R). Then Word included "Sorted for Es and Whizz" on "Now Here This 43" and my attention was piqued - VERY clever song - then I saw him on the Southbank Show and I really thought he came across well as a performer and a bloke - so I got the solo album and a few Pulp tracks all of which are most enjoyable, and suddenly I find I like him, despite all earlier reservations.
For me it is his obvious integrity and excellent songwriting which win through, regardless of how we are expected to perceive him (or otherwise).
Try "Sorted for Es and Whizz" - if you don't like that then move on - there are plenty of other people to listen to.
His & Hers is my fave
try the singles: Do You Remember the First Time? and Babies. Poptastic.
he's a bloody good radio presenter thats for sure
http://speechification.com/2008/07/10/jarvis-cockers-musical-map-of-shef...
Professional Northerner
The section in that programme when he talks about the way he went from being an effete, posh bloke while in Sheffield to a northern rag-tag as soon as he moved to London is fascinating for the light in sheds on his persona.
I also loved the bit when he talks about how hard it was for him to support the miners during the strike because they were the same guys who trying to beat him up in Sheffield for daring to be different.
Try Pulp's Intro album:
It's a compilation of 3 singles and their b-sides from 1993: it's one of my all time favourite albums: features the original version of Babies and one of it's b-sides Sheffield Sex City which is just superb.
Considering it's just made up of a handful of singles and their b-sides it's a really well rounded album. Great lyrics, great tunes, bags of energy.
"I only went with her 'cause she looked like you" is one of my all time favourite lines by anybody.
Razzmatazz
Reading this thread, I was just thinking of recommending Intro myself. Razzmatazz and O.U. are my highlights.
Yes & No...
... Jarvis is bit hit and miss.
Some great songs, some damn poor ones.
This might explain your understandable confusion.
Hope this helps (!)
I never particularly liked Pulp
until a Guilfest in, what, 2002 perhaps, near their swansong, I guess, and either they, or the bulgarian wine box, were great. I swiftly bought the singles collection (Lightweight! - Ed) and enjoy thoroughly.
Sometimes the live experience is required to kick start an appreciation.