[.ca] Pulp Hits

From Amazon.co.uk:
If any band is more deserving than Pulp of a Hits package, let them step forward now. Pulp have suffered the twin misfortunes of having an enormous, era-defining pop hit on their hands (1995's "Common People") and a uniquely gangly, instantly recognisable frontman who is better known than his songs. Pulp's years spent skulking rather happily in indie-land produced some fine (and not so fine) songs. Pulp care--about their music at least. It's also refreshing to have a hits compilation put together with some love (instead of the Manics ill-assembled Forever Delayed and U2's jumbled Best of 1990-2000). Here, instead of "Mis-shapes", we have "Sorted for E's and Whizz" as well as "Underwear". The latter was always planned as a double A-side, but was dwarfed by the enormity of twin "Common People." It's easy to forget just how brilliant Pulp are sometimes. With some nay-sayers questioning the future of the band, it is a satisfying experience indeed to bask in the shimmering beauty of "Last Day of the Miners' Strike", a slow burner of a quality, maturity and beauty that would make even the harshest critic usher the band into the nearest recording studio as soon as possible. With a dignity that most of his contemporaries--even the Manics--could never muster, Jarvis sings lines such as "Some joker with a headband is getting chicks for free" and name-checks kids spitting on the town hall and frightening old ladies. "The future's ours for the taking now, if we just stick together." Let's hope for the future of interesting, diverse guitar pop that they do. --Ben Johncock

Hopefully not Pulp's epitaph:
On this evidence, Pulp may be the so-called "Britpop" act that has best weathered the '90's. They've been able to subtly alter their sound without retreating into obtuse "experimentalism" while also avoiding the trap of becoming one's own cover band. Older tracks like 1993's fantastic "Babies" still sound fresh, and the tracks from 2001's neglected "We Love Life" are easily on a par with the band's best work. In a rarity for compilations, even the new track is good! Despite sagging sales, Pulp is still very much on top of its game. Let's hope that their current hiatus is not permanent.

...as long as you save a piece for me:
You know you'd give it up for Jarvis Cocker. Without question. The way he can sneer right through a song while coasting on his smooth, white-soul voice inspires a host of dirty thoughts. Amazingly, this is a a 'best of' that manages to avoid glaring errors and ommissions. Don't even try not to shake yer hips to the first half of the album- songs such as 'Babies' and 'Common People' (the massive hit that pitted working class against upper crust with it's tale of a poor little rich girl) are laced with campy synths and have driving beats lifted straight from the Discoteque. And of course, it's all loaded with the kind of cheeky bantor that would make anyone but Jarvis blush. After all, how many bands could make you sympathize with a man who cheats on his girlfriend with her sister? As the pace slows the music segues into a series of slow-burn croons like the sentimental a "Little Soul," never losing the uniquely British character that Pulp refused to water down for marketability outside the Commonwealth.

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