This Is Hardcore - Pulp > Reviews

Advantages: Hardcore brilliance, Many great songs
Disadvantages: Some songs that are not worthy of being on a Pulp album

...though that means nothing. This album is still incredible and is wonderful in it’s own way. The Fear This is the song that starts the album off. A tale that speaks of having panic attacks. I would consider this album to be quite autobiographical, as indeed I would consider most of Pulps other albums. Jarvis is singing about himself on this one and about how he felt for sometime whilst doing this album. He had felt like Different ... Read review

Advantages: Good variety of tracks
Disadvantages: Too alternative for some.

...of Britpop, Pulp's 1998 album This Is Hardcore takes the band away from the commercialised albums of the mid 90's and into a more alternative genre, characteristic of their 80's material. Despite this, and maybe because of it, This Is Hardcore is a truely brilliant piece of work, showing off Jarvis Cocker's vocals to their true potential, whilst ensuring a wide variety of styles. It would be fair to say that this album is slightly seedy by nature, ... Read review

Advantages: A return to original style
Disadvantages: not very easy listening

...hand, you will love this new addition. The album contains varied tracks, from the carefree "Glory Days", to the menacing, but harmonious title track. The album features a bizzarre final track which lasts for what seems like 15 minutes, the last ten being filled only by a single migraine-inducing note. It's weird stuff, but entertaining all the same. I loved the menace and the bleakness of some of the tracks, particularly "The Fear". If you are an ... Read review

Advantages: Powerful, dark. A definate grower!
Disadvantages: Lacks an immediate punch

This Is Hardcore was released back in 1998 to an Indie scene which had long since grown tired of "Britpop". The album was almost immediatly written off and criticised for failing to deliver the same quirky pop classics which had appeared on its fore runners. With the benefit of time, This is Hardcore can be looked back upon as arguably the finest work to come from the band. The album has a continuity and a dark soul that mark it out as something ... Read review

Advantages: Some of the songs are Pulp at their best
Disadvantages: A few of the songs are a little too dark.

...it with their next one, This is Hardcore. They almost made it, this is nearly a very good album, but it falls short on a few hurdles. Though Pulp told us it was definately a darker album than its predeccessor, we maybe didn't expect it to be quite like this. Some of it is very dark, and therefore put on the album as more of a personal thing rather than to please the fans. These dark songs tend to spoil an otherwise good album. These songs include ... Read review

Advantages: Consistent
Disadvantages: Not as good as previous album

...with, Different Class, I bought this hoping for much of the same. Unfortunately it is not all that Different Class is, some tracks are really weak, and they all sound pretty much similar to the untrained ear. Dont get me wrong, if you like Pulp then by all means purchase it, but do not be expecting the same again. This is hardcore, the title track is a really good song, Jarvis Cockers lyrical offerings are unrivalled and the beat will have you up ... Read review

Advantages: It'll get rid of the teenyboppers!
Disadvantages: Can be difficult to listen to initially (but it's worth it)

I bought this album on the day of it's release, knowing that it was 'darker' than previous albums, but curious to see what Pulp would turn there hands to next. Having lost inspirational guitarist Russell Senior, claming that it was no longer cool to be in Pulp, a new direction was needed. Pulp knew that some of the fans wouldn't like it, but I think that they did it for their own sanity! Title track This Is Hardcore is simply amazing, its dark and ... Read review

Advantages: Its something brilliantly different
Disadvantages: Lacks the mass market appeal of different class

This is Pulp's equivalent to Blur's eponymous release, showing a darker and far less commercial side to their music. For the most part, the record is too inaccessible to be cherished, but their bravery is commendable, and songs like "Dishes" and (especially) the title track really grow on you. Jarvis Cocker does exactly what Damon Albarn does on "Blur" and messes up the popular image of himself, perhaps deliberately to make himself less well-loved. ... Read review