Pulp: C.L.A.S.S.I.C.O.R.D.U.D?

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That was the first verse of Ned's new song that he's penning for Radiohead, how does everyone like it?

Ally, Wednesday, 25 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

You forgot the reversed tapes, buried computer noise and 1993 Warp-era drum samples. Other than that, perfect!

"In conclusion/A meaning wasn't had/Reflecting on the situation/Of a problem/Again."

Not appearing on the "Pyramid Song" B-side anytime soon.

Ned Raggett, Thursday, 26 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Well in the U.K.: classic The rest of the world: a massive whatever. Personally is say dud. Except 'Common People' of course, which is undeniable classic. And yes, World of Twist are/were? superior.

Omar, Thursday, 26 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

total classic. no argument.

but i almost never play them anymore. somehow, its seems too reminiscent of 1995. it seems almost wrong to play them now, out of that context (speaking subjectively here). this is a shame really, because they are such a classic. i hardly play stereolab any more either.

sometimes bands seems very tied to a particular era, and its difficult to extricate them from that.

everything post-different class is slightly disappointing

gareth, Thursday, 26 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

my sister. aged 8. found a world of twist 12" in the basement of her school.

they were good too. regardless of barney sumner's 'we are weird' comments on jukebox jury

gareth, Thursday, 26 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

World Of Twist weren't better than Pulp. But they were really good (the album was a bit patchy though). "The Storm", "Sons Of The Stage", "Sweets" - a complete singles collection* available for under a quid I'd imagine from your local second-hand emporium. Unless you live in America, but then you get to mutter about this really cool band you know that nobody else does. So the trade-off is worth it.

*OK not complete. The "She's A Rainbow" cover is best ignored and I've never, alas, heard "The Sausage".

Tom, Thursday, 26 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Were too! ;) World of Twist are the musical equivalent of the secret handshake with which Reynoldsishtas identify each other, right?

Omar, Thursday, 26 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Fucking World of Twist. I'm with Barney.

Snub TV, circa 1990. World of Twist playing 'The Storm' and then being interviewed.

"We definitely see ourselves as a pop band, not rock" says the monkey boy leader. Much nodding of heads from the other band members.

I sit there and think "Yeah yeah, like you're so radical for saying that. God this indieboy pro-pop thing is starting to annoy me"

The funny thing is, looking back I'm not even sure why I thought this. Whose line did I think World of Twist were parroting? It wasn't like I was familiar with early 80s NME rhetoric. How did I get so opinionated so young? Maybe I just thought they'd nicked ideas I'd started to have about pop music and were cross that they'd made a hash of it.

Pulp: CLASSIC by the way, but I completely sympathise with pinefox's attempt to locate his problem with consensus outside the trappings of moronic snobbery. Don't understand why everyone is going on about 'Common People'. If ever there was a song that has been completely newtered through overexposure, that is it. I tend to skip it when I listen to 'Different Class' now.

What I find weird about 'This Is Hardcore' is that it contains perhaps their two finest achievements in the title track and 'The Fear', one pretty good track in 'Help the Aged', and then the rest is just treading water. Seriously, when I first put on the album and heard the opening track, I thought it was going to be the best record ever made. Then that godawful line about sharing the same initials as Jesus came on (is there anything more annoying than when he repeats it at the end of the song in case you didn't catch how clever it was the first time round?) and disillusion set in once more. *sigh*

Nick, Thursday, 26 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

PULP=GREAT - classic.

great to know I'm not the only one to still be into world of twist too - can I be a smartarse and say I've got the "blackpool tower suite" 12"?

norman fay, Thursday, 26 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

I can see what Gareth means about Pulp seeming tied to their moment, but they still bring back positive memories for me. Being slightly younger than some on this forum, "His'n'Hers" and "Different Class" remind me of the first time pop transcended life for me, and that's never going to seem trapped in a particular place or time.

That said, it's quite a while since I've played any of their albums.

Robin Carmody, Thursday, 26 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

_tih_ is the only album i've heard. "the fear" and the title track blew me away enough to buy the album. what a disappointment the rest was! i'm glad to know that some pulp fans feel the same way. what's a good album to check out?

sundar subramanian, Thursday, 26 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

different class.

intro.

gareth, Friday, 27 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Hmm, Different Class I remember as being pretty good, although I haven't listned to it in a couple of years or more since my copy was either stolen or lost. His n Hers has three very good tracks and the rest passes me by. This Is Hardcore was a great single which was criminally undervalued by most people, as far as I could see. I haven't heard much more, so maybe I'm not the best qualified to answer the question. Which is good, cos I don't really have an answer. They are the definition of alright, perhaps.

Ally C, Friday, 27 April 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

three weeks pass...
i borrowed the library's copy of _dc_ and fell pathetically in love. i think i've played "disco 2000" 10 times in the past two days. i am an offical anglophile (tm). colonial mentality, i suppose.

and i fantasize about english countrysides when listening to yes, too, Saturday, 19 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

Well, that's not difficult with a prissy middle-class voice like Jon Anderson ...

(not that anyone I've ever met talks or, indeed, sings like that.)

Robin Carmody, Saturday, 19 May 2001 00:00 (twenty-two years ago) link

two years pass...
"Party Hard" reminds me quite a lot of Bowie. This is the best band ever, I've slowly decided. This man is dangerous--he just shot his load on your best party frock. Before you enter the palace of wisdom, you have to decide: are you ready to rock?

My god. I'm selling the rest of my CDs and just keeping the Pulp, any bidders?

Ally (mlescaut), Friday, 8 August 2003 17:27 (twenty years ago) link

I still am bitter that the World of Twist got dragged into this somehow.

Larcole (Nicole), Friday, 8 August 2003 17:32 (twenty years ago) link

I need to reread the thread later, then. I never minded World of Twist, actually.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 8 August 2003 17:40 (twenty years ago) link

"This man is dangerous--he just shot his load on your best party frock. Before you enter the palace of wisdom, you have to decide: are you ready to rock?"

Is this a Pulp lyric? It's amazing whatever it is.

Kris (aqueduct), Friday, 8 August 2003 18:29 (twenty years ago) link

Yes, it is from the song "Party Hard".

Larcole (Nicole), Friday, 8 August 2003 18:34 (twenty years ago) link

Which is like the greatest song, besides all of Pulp's other songs.

Ally (mlescaut), Friday, 8 August 2003 18:42 (twenty years ago) link

See, further proof! I don't remember that line at all!

Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 8 August 2003 18:58 (twenty years ago) link

I love it in "Party Hard" when the bassline goes all Duran.

Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Friday, 8 August 2003 19:01 (twenty years ago) link

DURAN! Spencer, I never even thought of that comparison before. Wow.

Ally (mlescaut), Friday, 8 August 2003 19:51 (twenty years ago) link

That IS good. Spencer you genius man, write more music thoughts for FT and everything.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 8 August 2003 19:58 (twenty years ago) link

one year passes...
i bought different class in hawaii along with a judy garland and mickey rooney box set

amateur!!!st (amateurist), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 02:05 (nineteen years ago) link

i listened to it while driving through the crater-like landscapes of the big island

amateur!!!st (amateurist), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 02:08 (nineteen years ago) link

I bought Max Romeo's "Wet Dream" on CD (on a various artists compilation" at a "Scotch House" tartan/kilts shop on the Eng/Scot border. Most unlikely purchase?

mark grout (mark grout), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 06:51 (nineteen years ago) link

two months pass...
"we love life" just isn't very good, is it? or amn't i trying hard enough?

m. (mitchlnw), Saturday, 27 November 2004 12:43 (nineteen years ago) link

no, you're right. it's pish.

i think.

*damn*, i'm going to have to dig it out and listen again now, just to make sure.

grimly fiendish (grimlord), Saturday, 27 November 2004 14:49 (nineteen years ago) link

actually, it's not bad so far. it's playing away in the background while i do stuff around the flat (make soup, hang up washing, try to find somewhere to keep all my CDs because my sister-in-law wants her - ahem - "antique" chest of drawers back). indeed, the fourth track, "trees", is rather wonderful.

grimly fiendish (grimlord), Saturday, 27 November 2004 15:24 (nineteen years ago) link

wow. it's much, much better than i remembered. three stand-out tracks ("the birds in your garden", "bob lind", the aforementioned "trees") and a whole heap of bloody-hell-this-is-good-isn't-it? pulpy angst.

am gonna listen to "hardcore" next. haven't heard that since 1997.

grimly fiendish (grimlord), Saturday, 27 November 2004 16:02 (nineteen years ago) link

maybe i'll leave it alone for a while and return some years later.

m. (mitchlnw), Saturday, 27 November 2004 16:09 (nineteen years ago) link

am gonna listen to "hardcore" next. haven't heard that since 1997.

It didn't even come out till 1998 - this is impressive!

Alba (Alba), Saturday, 27 November 2004 16:31 (nineteen years ago) link

legs

LSTD (answer) (sexyDancer), Saturday, 27 November 2004 17:09 (nineteen years ago) link

x-post

good point. i think "1997" has become shorthand for about four years of podding around when i first moved to glasgow. i can no longer differentiate between any of the memories. if it happened when i was living on kent road, my mind has it filed as 1997.

anyway. "hardcore" is disappointing. the first, title and closing tracks are great; the rest has left little impression.

but it's still "trees" i'm humming to myself as i liquidise my soup. (and no, that's not a euphemism.)

grimly fiendish (grimlord), Saturday, 27 November 2004 17:57 (nineteen years ago) link

anyway. "hardcore" is disappointing. the first, title and closing tracks are great; the rest has left little impression.

My feelings exactly, still, except I think only the first and title songs are great and I think they're really great, like perhaps the best two songs they ever did. 'Help The Aged' is good too. The rest is meh.

Alba (Alba), Saturday, 27 November 2004 18:08 (nineteen years ago) link

"This Is Hardcore" is a rare breed -- a "pressures of fame" album which is actually good.

"We Love Life" was a bit of a letdown, but its best tracks (the two-part "Weeds", "Birds in Your Garden", "Sunrise") rank with the band's best.

MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Saturday, 27 November 2004 18:16 (nineteen years ago) link

I bought F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.I.V.E. today on video (how quaint, eh?) at a jumble sale for 50p. I was very pleased with myself.

ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 27 November 2004 20:14 (nineteen years ago) link

(classic, by the way)

ailsa (ailsa), Saturday, 27 November 2004 20:14 (nineteen years ago) link

can somebody give me an album order that i should hear for these guys? start from _Different Class_('coz it's the only one i've heard) and go...

kingfish (Kingfish), Thursday, 2 December 2004 02:16 (nineteen years ago) link

Other than DC and "His N Hers" (i.e. the "famous" albums), Pulp are a fairly dark, twisted band. This other material contrasts very strongly with their more well-known stuff, so be prepared for that.

So after those two (and the EP collection "Intro"), I'd say listen to "This is Hardcore", then "We Love Life", and if you're still with them, jump into the older stuff. "Freaks" is a personal fave of mine -- a disturbing, even gruesome near-classic record. Then grab "Masters of the Universe" (a collection of EPs from around the same time as "Freaks"), then "Separations".

I haven't heard their first album, "It".

MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Thursday, 2 December 2004 02:58 (nineteen years ago) link

five months pass...
In honor of today:

I thought that you were joking / When you said "I want to see you
To discuss your contribution / To the future of our nation's heart and soul
Six o'clock, my place, Whitehall" / Well I arrived just after seven
But you said "It doesn't matter" / "I understand your situation
And your image, and I'm flattered / Oh and I'd just like to tell you
That I love all of your albums / Could you sign this for my daughter?
She's in hospital, her name is Miriam / Now get down to the gist:
Do you want a line of this? / Are you a (sniff) / socialist?"
"Doin' fine, yeah! / Buzzin' all the time / Just one hit / And I feel great
And I support / The welfare state / Oh, you must be socialist
'Cos you're always off out on the piss / In your private member's bar
Oh yes you are / Yer superstar / Well you sing about common people
And the mis-shapes and the misfits / So can you bring them to my party
And get them all to sniff this? / And all I'm really saying
Is come on and rock the vote for me / All I'm really saying
Is come on roll up that note for me / The gist of all of this is
Do you want hits or d'you want misses? / Are you a socialist, yeah
Socialist, yeah / Socialist, yeah / Oh yeah"
"Yeah, you can be just what you want to be
Just as long as you don't try to compete with me
And we've waited such a long time
For the chance to help our own kind, so now
Please come on and tow the party line / Oh you owe it to yourself
Don't think of anybody else / And we promise we won't tell
Oh we won't tell, and we won't sell" / No we won't / No we won't
No we won't

Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 5 May 2005 16:00 (eighteen years ago) link

Meanwhile, proof that Nicole is an extremely astute critic, part 254151445, quoted again from upthread:

The things that some people have been criticizing them for, like the ott factor, are part of what makes their music so good. They're not afraid to go over the top; something they have in common with great pop music. Indie bands tend to try for the "tastefully restrained" approach far too often.

:-)

Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 5 May 2005 16:14 (eighteen years ago) link

I want to marry a posh stylist and move to France and make babies (while also soundtracking Harry Potter films).

Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 5 May 2005 16:35 (eighteen years ago) link

And appearing in them, even.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 5 May 2005 16:38 (eighteen years ago) link

two weeks pass...
How essential is this upcoming DVD? Oh, I'd say pretty goddamn fucking essential:

Originally released on VHS in 1996 as F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.I.V.E and 1998 as The Park Is Mine. Two live shows on DVD for the first time.

Features 2 concerts recorded in London (Brixton Academy 1995) and Finsbury Park (1998) plus additional tour documentary from London to Japan. Directed by Rob Hurse and previously only avaialble on a Japanese laser disc. 5.1 Surround sound and dolby stereo.

Region 0, anyone can play it. You have no excuse.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 22 May 2005 13:25 (eighteen years ago) link

Awesome find Ned! I could have sworn when I originally saw this it was coded for Europe only. Great news.

D. Bachyrycz, Sunday, 22 May 2005 16:03 (eighteen years ago) link

Oh - I was at that Finsbury Park concert. Someone undid my trousers.

Alba (Alba), Sunday, 22 May 2005 16:08 (eighteen years ago) link

And may I recommend the Pulp HIts DVD to all? It's great; Pulp put some effort into what could have been your typical, boring video collection cash-in and made it a really nice thing to have. Home movies, live version of "59 Lyndhurst Grove"!, etc. Being a Pulp fanatic, I would have liked even more, but very good stuff nonetheless.

D. Bachyrycz, Sunday, 22 May 2005 16:10 (eighteen years ago) link

Wonder why there is a screenshot of live Pulp performance in the middle of Hitchcock/Truffaut.

CeeLô Borges (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 11 June 2023 11:49 (ten months ago) link

three weeks pass...

Saw them at Finsbury Park last night - despite the absences, they're sounding incredible. I've missed them.

woof, Sunday, 2 July 2023 13:10 (nine months ago) link

three weeks pass...

They played A New One at the second Sheffield show, it's pretty good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxYeeFKvwJo

the world is your octopus (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Thursday, 27 July 2023 22:10 (eight months ago) link

six months pass...

It's a curious article.

djh, Sunday, 11 February 2024 18:47 (two months ago) link

one month passes...

We got North American tour dates!

Tickets for the shows will go on sale this week.

Fans can sign up for Pulp’s pre-sale by joining the band’s mailing via https://WeLovePulp.info before midnight PDT on Monday, 18 March. All those who do, will be sent a link and password to use when tickets go on sale on a first come, first served basis at 10am (local time to each venue) on Tuesday, 19 March.

Tickets will then go on general sale on Friday, 22 March at 10am – again all times are local to the venue. The tour dates are:

Sunday, September 8 Chicago Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom

Tuesday, September 10 Toronto HISTORY

Friday, September 13 Brooklyn, NY Kings Theatre

Monday, September 16 San Francisco Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

Wednesday, September 18 Los Angeles Hollywood Palladium

Ned Raggett, Monday, 18 March 2024 15:17 (one month ago) link

Wow, I might have to go to that Hollywood show.

Bee OK, Tuesday, 19 March 2024 01:44 (one month ago) link

Got tickets for Toronto! Thank you for alerting me, Ned!

she started dancing to that (Finefinemusic), Tuesday, 19 March 2024 14:14 (one month ago) link

tickets for Toronto were sold out in like a minute, got a ticket in my basket then as it was loading it was gone

Ticketmaster can eat my unwiped shitstained asshole

Murgatroid, Tuesday, 19 March 2024 15:21 (one month ago) link

Well there'll be other chances later in the week at least!

Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 19 March 2024 15:27 (one month ago) link

Kings Theatre in Brooklyn (the NY stop on the tour) dropped Ticketmaster. Things moved slowly on their system, but was able to get good tickets, and fees lower than Ticketmaster scum would have charged.

bulb after bulb, Tuesday, 19 March 2024 15:30 (one month ago) link

That’s really nice. Paid $30 in fees on each ticket. Hope you’re lucky with the general sale Murgatroid

she started dancing to that (Finefinemusic), Tuesday, 19 March 2024 16:13 (one month ago) link

The seating options you selected aren't available due to the ticket quantity or filter you applied. Please try adjusting the number of tickets selected or use the seat map to search for available seats.

Bee OK, Tuesday, 19 March 2024 17:07 (one month ago) link

I went on right at 10:00 with the correct presale code but couldn't even get in.

Bee OK, Tuesday, 19 March 2024 17:09 (one month ago) link

Oof, sucks to hear. In contrast SF went crazy smoothly! Got a floor/GA spot, all good.

Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 19 March 2024 17:12 (one month ago) link

So I got in after typings that out but like Murgatroid was timed out. Now they say no tickets left.

Bee OK, Tuesday, 19 March 2024 17:17 (one month ago) link

Kings Theatre in Brooklyn (the NY stop on the tour) dropped Ticketmaster.

Their seat selection system stresses me out, especially on a phone. But I got mine.

early rejecter, Tuesday, 19 March 2024 17:22 (one month ago) link

damn, i missed the memo about the mailing list so no artist pre-sale for me.

gotta listen to a bunch of pulp on spotify to day and hope to get that pre-sale code.

the defenestration of prog (voodoo chili), Tuesday, 19 March 2024 17:37 (one month ago) link

https://thescenestar.typepad.com/ss/2024/03/pulp-schedule-a-show-at-the-hollywood-palladium.html

There will be an artist presale taking place on Tuesday, March 19, at 10 a.m. Code: BRAVO.

You can also get your tickets early via a Live Nation presale on Wednesday, March 20, at 8 a.m. Code: KEY.

Spotify will also have a presale on Wednesday, March 20, at 10 a.m.

Bee OK, Tuesday, 19 March 2024 17:39 (one month ago) link

Got a pair for Toronto, but only after trying nonstop for 15 minutes. Like Murgatroid I had some in my basket, went to pay, and they were suddenly gone. Was about to give up and refreshed another 10 times or so and got in, this time it worked. No rhyme or reason. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

KPH, Tuesday, 19 March 2024 17:45 (one month ago) link

Aw darn my ex works for live nation and I was excited to come share the code! Alas!

she started dancing to that (Finefinemusic), Tuesday, 19 March 2024 23:40 (one month ago) link

I'd love the Spotify presale code

Murgatroid, Wednesday, 20 March 2024 03:35 (one month ago) link

I don’t have a Spotify ex :/

she started dancing to that (Finefinemusic), Wednesday, 20 March 2024 10:37 (one month ago) link

Extra shows announced for Toronto, Brooklyn and LA, presales today at 11 am local time.

Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 20 March 2024 14:07 (one month ago) link

got tix for kings on 9/14

the defenestration of prog (voodoo chili), Wednesday, 20 March 2024 15:40 (one month ago) link

got a ticket for 9/11 yeahhhhhhh

Murgatroid, Wednesday, 20 March 2024 16:39 (one month ago) link

two weeks pass...

One more show announced! Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Sat Sept 21, on sale Friday 10 am

Ned Raggett, Thursday, 4 April 2024 16:19 (two weeks ago) link


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