Pulp-Different Class (1995)

RATING: 9/10

In 1995 Pulp managed to do three great things. First off, they gave a fantastic performance at Glastonbury that put the other acts to shame. Secondly, they released Different Class and thirdly, Jarvis Cocker invaded a Michael Jackson performance at the Brits. Well, ok, maybe two great things.

In the mid-nineties the media, and thousands of 'sheep' trying to be cool by following everyone else, were hyping the battle for best album between Blur and Oasis. Unfortunately, both bands failed to deliver anything thought provoking or different. What's The Story (Morning Glory) was a good album, filled with anthems for a generation, but lacked any real depth to it and was weaker than Oasis' debut effort. The Great Escape by Blur again was weaker than its predecessor Of course, those thousands rushed out and bought them and raved about them in all the ‘cool' music magazines.

However, 1995 produced at least two better albums. One was Stanley Road by Paul Weller and this one.

The first thing that makes this album stand out is the lyrics. Cocker is a master of writing witty lyrics that make you laugh and smile and are also a brilliant observation on everyday life. He writes about anxiety, struggles, frustrations, excitement, love and bewilderment and his singing pushes this to an extra level where you can feel all of this emotion in his performance. A clear contrast to when he is talking in a near-monotone voice. The songs and Cocker's singing contain so much energy where needed and the quality of the vocals can be surprising sometimes.

All the songs are truly fantastic, over ten years on and they still sound just as good. It was a breath of fresh air when it was released and maybe it is because it doesn't sound like the rest of the ‘Brit-pop' that it doesn't sound dated.

Pulp go to show that it is ok to look nerdy and to be different than what is considered cool. Cocker is a vast contrast to Liam Gallagher and yet he displays a presence whilst performing on stage that Liam could never achieve, with a voice that can portray more emotion than most of the 'cool' bands around at that time. Different Class? Yes. Better Class? Definitely.

Track listing:

1. Mis-Shapes: A catchy anthem for people who look 'different' saying how it's ok to look geeky and not as cool as the rest of the crowd, and how these people are going to take over someday.

2. Pencil Skirt: A pleasant little tune about Jarvis, a girl and the problems of young love.

3. Common People: This tune was the anthem in Britain during the summer of 1995. Common People quickly became the 'anthem' of the year, and rightly so. It was more infectious than anything Blur or Oasis had to offer that year. Awesome lyrics, fantastic vocals and brilliant melodies. Even the amount of times this was over played on the radio couldn't kill its effectiveness and brilliance.

4. I Spy: More great lyrics, haunting undertones and another excellent example of Cocker's vocal prowess, his low tones give this song its edge.

5. Disco 2000: Very catchy disco tune that you can't get out of your head, more great humorous lyrics.

6. Live Bed Show: A song that grows on you, tells an interesting story.

7. Something Changed: A run of the mill love song that sounds a bit out of place but still a nice little tune.

8. Sorted For E's & Whizz: A song about going to raves and the morning after, lovely tune and interesting images left in the mind.

9. F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E: An odd song that isn't without its good points, takes a while to get going though.

10. Underwear: The angst of teenage love is expressed in this great song. Great lyrics and stunning vocals.

11. Monday Morning: Catchy upbeat tune, lyrics are top notch.

12. Bar Italia: This one really grew on me, a nice end to a fantastic album.