Pulp

Pulp Hits

Record Label: Island

He came like a messenger from the gods. The moment Jarvis Cocker's skinny, corduroy-encased arse wiggled its way onto theBrit Awards stage to protest against Michael Jackson and his deific delusions, he became a national institution. Now, six years later,and 20 years after they started, Pulp have decided to call it a day. And what an epitaph this album is.
What's so special about Pulp is their ability to tune in to the conscience of the suburban teenager. The album is full of twitching nylon curtains, adolescent fumblings and beautifully observed snapshots of British life. It charts the band's history from their bolthole-in-Sheffield beginnings, through their epic rise to the now legendary headline gig at Glastonbury and their subsequent fallfrom critical grace due to over-exposure and lack of effort.They've been through it all and come out the other side, older,wiser but still with their dignity intact.
Pulp were part of a British music revival that shaped a generation. It's difficult to remember the dark grungy days before Britpop, but when it eventually stumbled into the light, youngsters around the country realised they didn't hate themselves and want to die, but rather loved life with all its ins and outs. For that we are eternally grateful.