Viewing Thread:
"Blur or Oasis?"

That was the question they all asked back in 1995, "Blur or Oasis?" they didn't realise that it was liek comparing chalk and cheese, and that it was, in fact, a trick question.

For the answer was Pulp. Without a doubt. Pulp were the mid-ninties.

The first Pulp album I bought was His 'N' Hers, I thought it was excellent, unlike anything I'd come across before. Anyway, I'll come back to that later.

Pulp have been releasing albums since 1983, but there are only a handfull of tracks worth mentioning before they signed to Island records. Dogs Are Everywhere, My Legendary Girlfriend, and a creepy song that I can't remember than name of that sounded like a fairground ride coupled with maniacal laughing were the stand out songs from the early days.

When they signed to Island records a compilation was released featuring 3 Pulp singles, and their associated 'B-sides'. This compilation was called 'Intro' and features some fantasic songs. 'Babies' is definately the stand out song. Much of Pulp's next two albums were similar in style to the songs found here, quite poppy, lyrics about sex, and fantastically enjoyable to listen to.

Their first album proper on Island was the afore-mentioned His N Hers. It came out in 1994, and consisted of 11 outstanding songs. My favourites on this album vary from day to day, though Acrylic Afternoons has always been amongst the favourites. 'Do You Remember The First Time?' also features, and could quite possibly be te first Pulp song you ever heard. It wasn't mine, that was Babies, which also features on this album. The lyrics are again very sleazy, but you don't see just how dark some of it is, you get caught up in the tunes and just want to dance!

David's Last Summer is the final track on the album, and it's more like poetry than a song. Jarvis speaks the words rather than sings them, and tells a tale, no doubt set in Sheffield, his home town, a place he has sung about on many an occasion.

I love His 'n' Hers. Some days it's my favourite Pulp album, but I'm fickle, it changes.

Their most popular album, and indeed most pop album followed this. Different Class. the thing is it really was a different class to anything else out there. Damn dirty Mick Hucknall kept Pulp from getting a number 1 with one of the singles from this album.

Oh how the media cried when they heard 'Sorted For E's and Wizz' funny, given that the message "What if you never come down?" was actually more of a cautionary tale? But being misunderstood seemed to plague Pulp. Common People. A fantastic song. The thing is, you saw all of these 14 year old girls go around with T-shirts that said "I'm Common" on them. Did they completely miss the point? "Still you'll never get it right, cos whenm you're laying ni bed at night, watching roaches climb the wall, you could call your daddy to stop it all." Irony hey, a funny thing.

So many fantastic songs featured on that album, Pulp where elevated to the status of pop superstars.

Then nothing for 3 years.

I think that people just didn't really get Different Class got to the band. Hence 'This Is Hardcore'. This is a dark album. Very gloomy in places, but those fantastic tunes are still there, trying hard to get out. 'The Fear', the opening track probably scared many away, which is a shame, because as dark as it is, it's still a great listen. 'This Is Hardcore' is an epic. Apparently written after watching porn in a hotel, thinking about what happened to old porn stars. "This is what men in stained rain coats pay for" that line will stick in my head forever.

Anyway, onto the present. A few weeks ago, maybe months now, I'm not too good with the passing of time Pulp released another album. You might not have noticed. It's called 'We Love Life'. If this wasn't cause for concern then song titles such as 'Weeds', 'The Trees', 'The Birds in Your Garden' and 'Sunrise' should really set those alarm bells ringing. Thankfully it's not an awful 'back to nature' type album that some hippy types come out with after a lenghty abscence. In fact, it's amazing. So much more than I expected. I'm not sure why, I've never been disappointed by Pulp. It could well be the best album I've bought this year.

The quirkiness has come back, or it's more obvious, anyway, I don't think it ever went away. And the darkness remains too, in the lyrics. But the tunes are simply fantastic. So many songs that I instantly thought were great, 'The Night That Minnie Timberley Died', 'Bob Lind (The only way is down)' just two of the many top songs. And the album has a fantastic ending. 'Sunrise' is one of those songs that starts simple and builds and builds and builds into a fantastic finale, one of those songs that you just know that they'll finish a show with.

And that's why I'm writing this, tomorrow ,(or today, has it gone midnight yet?) I'm going to see Pulp, this excellent, excellent, band that I love so much play the Cambridge Corn Exchange.

"We Love Life"

So do I.

Indeed, so do I.

What an odd thing to say :)

Blur sing tender and no distance left to run

If you haven't heard Blur get The bets of album for a few quid somewhere...

You won't regret it, great stuff..

Oh yeah apparently they met up and are writing stuff for a new album...

I say Oasis, but I haven't heard much Blur.

But Wonderwall is one of my favourite songs ever.

SHEEPY wrote:
> Tricky Nikki wrote:
Blur and Oasis are crap

I was impressed with the way you
> backed up that argument.

Dont worry he likes Oasis really ( well he better do)

Blur

Oasis without a shadow of a doubt. Blur aren't bad at all but Oasis are just brilliant and have never made a poor song (except for perhaps a few on Definitely Maybe).

Anyway, this is all irrelevant. All that matters is that Sorford Keys rule all.

"Cause no one tells me how to live my life."

Blur (probably because it is easier for me to sing along to with my essexness)

Blur - Cant stand Oasis!!

These young people today have no respect...