Why are Pulp so unpopular now?

Ally unaware of a Manics release = Armageddon is nigh.

Yes, I know. I'm sorry but I fear I have caused the end of the world with my ignorance. I don't know how it slipped my radar when I have been so dilligent. I did go and check it out, I'm not too impressed with their decision as to what are their greatest works, but I guess it's what you need to sell records??? Plus the bonus CD, there's no tracklisting on the case. I can't justify spending $20 when I have no idea what's enclosed. I might already HAVE it.

Favorite Pulp video?

mine= 'Help the Aged' for that stair-chair move

Funny, every time I hear that song I imagine a full-tilt all singing, all dancing bloody great stage routine with twirling parasols and grubby urchins...

The Pulp DVD will sell more than the album, overflowing as it is with all sorts of fun stuff. Hits itself won't sell much, sadly, due to many of the reasons outlined above, but mainly because Pulp never fully capitalised on their moments in the spotlight - unsurprisingly, since they're not really capitalists. I can't imagine Pulp ever allowing one of their songs to be used on an advert, for example (lest we forget, they turned down Coca-Cola when they wanted to use "Sunrise" last year).

As to Jarvis appearing on ads and stuff, I think he (rightly IMHO) sees his own image and metastar status as being totally separate from that of "Pulp" the concept, so can use it however he likes without compromising Pulp's collective image.

Me, I love the last two albums, even though they both contain a couple of stinkers and half-finished water-treading exercises. Unlike any other recent band I can think of, they both lay bare in surprisingly candid terms the band and singer's mental state at the time of recording, and that's a sign of greatness from where I'm perched. Intro's still my number one tho.

I think, in time, Pulp will become one of those critics' bands like Squeeze, forever critically lauded for lyrical ingenuity, quirky charm and odd pop suss, but never again selling the huge amounts they once did.

btw excellent interview here: http://www.independent.co.uk/story.jsp?story=353311

HEY! Some bastard was impersonating me above. Whoever posted as Dr. D - CUT IT OUT!! Any ideas who from IP address - moderators?

Do they even have any good videos besides the one for THis Is Hardcore?

Yes, good videos a-plenty -- all three versions of "Babies" (seriously), "Common People," "Do You Remember the First Time," "Lipgloss"...

this video also features the main guy looking in the mirror and asking something like "who's the ace-est one of all".

Oh blimey, obv. my opinion would be totally diff if I knew that factoid prior. Proof that people should stick to what they know best, but then again most indie videos are shit. Tho I did forget about Disco 2000 because I used to dislike the song quite a lot, that is a pretty funny video.

I admit I wanted to do this as well. I just limited myself with the second part of the equation.

Oh blimey, obv. my opinion would be totally diff if I knew that factoid prior.

Hahah...oh wait.

Actually never seen the "Disco 2000" video since it's not on Sorted for Es and Vids.

incl. "Disco 2000" obv.
(it's the video that most closely follows their "Different Class" style guide)

Maybe I'll bring a VCR to the LA/OC FAP if it ever happens!

Of Pulp's own vids, Jarvis only directed the original "Babies" and the "Do You Remember The First Time" doco as I recall. He also did Tindersticks' "City Sickness" and, I think, Aphex's "Donkey Rhubarb"!

is the video filmed in sheffield city hall? (or was that misshapes?)

!!!!

We need to talk tape trade. Or SOMETHING.

Donkey Rhubarb? You're kidding me.. he didn't really do that, did he? That's like the best video ever. Jarvis also did that Polyphonic Spree video. The band, or members thereof, directed all their earlier videos, and Jarvis co-directed Razzmatazz, Lipgloss and Bad Cover Version.

Apologies. I think he actually did Aphex's "On" - the stop-motion one on the beach.

NB the "Disco 2000" Video was filmed at Eve's Club on London's trendy Regent St - the cool multi-coloured dancefloor's still there I believe.

Years and years ago I met him for a coffee and he described to me these amazing short films he'd made, one all about finding a secret something in Mile End.

I still love Pulp (I consider them more contemporary with St Etienne rather than Oasis/Blur etc. due to going to see every show in London they did between '91 and '90-something) and am going to Auto, their perverse Sonar in Sheffield in winter-type festival.

P.S Is the new Beck album worth buying?

I doubt Blur stopped producing chirpy hits due to their integrity.

As for Pulp...I love all of their albums, I'm an unabashed fan, yet I probably wouldn't buy the hits compilation. In the age of file sharing, one has to be stupid rather than cynical to expect the die-hard fans to re-purchase all the stuff they already have just for a chance to hear one new song.

I always thought of Pulp's success as flukey and odd, so I don't find their lack of success now all that surprising.

we (laura & i) loved them anyway, had done since the days of "my lighthouse" back in '83 or whenever it was. the gigs at drury lane (just before they became massive) and shep bush empire (when they were at their peak) were wonderful nights.

we had tickets to see them at brixton academy last october :-( couldn't face going there on my own

An extra CD of bonus remixes or whatever may also sway the diehard fan who wouldn't purcahse it for the one new song.

Hits has tremendous sleevenotes, though. And I like the cover very much, even if others don't. And not buying it would have left a gaping hole in my CD collection that I was all-too-conscious of. These are my excuses, if I need any.

Seeing them Tuesday :).

You will love it. We danced pretty much the entire time.

I haven't seen them since they opened for Blur, looking forward to it.

Oh that was good.

Yes it was.

Setlist!

"Do You Remember the First Time?"
"Monday Mornings"
"Razzmatazz"
"Live Bed Show"
"Disco 2000"
"Sorted for E's and Wizz"
"His 'n' Hers"
"Dishes"
"Mile End"
"Like a Friend"
"Babies"
"This is Hardcore"
"Sunrise"
"Bar Italia"
"Common People"

1st encore: "OU"
"Bad Cover Version"
"Mis-Shapes"

2nd encore: "Back in LA"
"Something Changed"

need to add "Help the Aged," but may strike a little close now.

god i'm so jealous at the west coast set lists i can't even deal!!! we basically just got the entirety of "different class" with a few other things from later albums. they better play more old stuff when i see them in spain!

Back In LA? wow.

YOU GOT OU? OH YOU ARE GOING DOWN, RAGGETT.

Seriously though that's super awesome and I am glad you had fun!

(Notices and adores her inadvertent OU/OH YOU wordplay)

Hahah. I KNEW some of those choices would inspire, how you say, jealousy...

And yeah -- a super long droney great version of "OU" -- and I still can't believe they did "Back in LA!" Imagine Jarvis on megaphone and the band making a huge racket -- if you had told me early Blur essentially ripped them off just from this I wouldn't've been surprised.

Yah, I saw them three times last year and still green looking at that.

Unrelatedly, I found myself in Bar Italia a few weeks ago. It's pretty great.

Oh and I forgot to mention: at one point, Jarvis doing an a capella (falsetto!) version of the chorus of Tina Turner's "Steamy Windows." Never in a million years etc. (Does make me think he would be a perfect dude for karaoke.)

Hahahaha! We got a little bit of Louie Louie which was fun.

Oh also, best T-shirt by a mile that night was some guy wearing a Suede shirt, classic logo and all -- on closer inspection, the small type above it was not 'The London' or any of that nonsense, it was 'Bernard Butler-era'

omg i want that shirt!! haha

My review is up!

http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2012/04/pulp_at_the_fox_theater_april.php

Okay so

http://www.spin.com/articles/pulp-james-murphy-after-you-itunes-release

Just done on JRoss show.