Remember when MTV played music?
Neither do I. I grew up on MuchMusic, the Canadian version of MTV. I don’t know how American kids did it, but I discovered new music primarily through MM. It was how I learned of the Brit Pop Invasion ™ of the mid 90′s. Brit bands like Oasis and Blur got the bulk of media attention during that time but I had an unlikely favorite: Pulp.
My first exposure to Pulp was the video to the middle-class anthem Common People. Seeing that video was the first time I connected music and style. I never related to the baggy pants and flannel of the grunge movement. Pulp’s look was …. sexier. To 13 year old me, at least. A tall, skinny, bookish front man in a too-small suit? I still have a soft spot for that look. The sound was full of sex too: a mix of disco and rock while Jarvis Cocker whispered “you wanna sleep with common people? like me?”
It took me years to finally pick up the full length Different Class, and it’s still in regular rotation. Cocker croons about sex, drugs and being an outsider. But this isn’t just a fluffy album of catchy pop numbers. It’s one of the smartest albums I own: full of cheeky commentary and a glam-pop sound that still feels fresh, 15 years later. It’s difficult to pick a favorite song. I like to listen to albums as a whole and this one is solid from start to finish. The opener, Mis-shapes, about a group of “mis-shapes, mistakes, misfits”, encourages kids to revel in their weirdness. AFEELINGCALLEDLOVE is the most romantic and realistic ode to love I’ve ever heard, without sounding sappy or contrived. “But this isn’t chocolate boxes and roses” he coos
“It’s dirtier than that”. This record is full of songs like this- sly, sophisticated and perfect.
Pulp has since broken up, but Cocker is still making music. I haven’t had a chance to listen to his solo efforts, but I’m sure he’s still making music for unabashed nerds like me. I’m sure his music is still smart and I’m positive he’s still one the sexiest men in music.
i refuse to believe Pulp has broken up.
Jonathan, Does “extended hiatus” sound better?
I’m hoping for one of those reunion concert tours, starting with Glastonbury 2010. One can dream, right?
Fact: I was driving around with 2 young children yesterday evening when they stumbled upon a Pulp album on my ipod. While I remembered what I love about Cocker’s crooning, they were busy quickly losing interest. Somehow ended up listening to Jackson 5′s ABC on repeat. These kids were my age when I first began listening to Brit Pop.
Nada, You forget you had older siblings to guide you in musical discovery
If by older siblings you mean the VJs on MuchMusic
Go get Jarvis Cocker’s solo album “Further Complications”. I fell in love with it last year. He’s such a sleazebag on some of the songs, but his Elvis Costello-ey crooning makes me swoon.
Also, great idea for a blog, Hala. Good luck with it!