Review: Jarvis Cocker - Jarvis

<---- Jarvis the magnificent

Unfortunately, Pulp never seemed to get the credit they deserved, here in the states. That may be way Jarvis's self-titled solo album wasn't released in stores here. Be that the reason, or be it another reason, it is a shame that the fine folks here in America don't have easy access to this brilliant album.

With that aside, I will now get on to reviewing the album. It seems that even without his bandmates, Jarvis Cocker pulls off the amazing. As the album starts, there is a brief 30 second long instrumental track leading directly into the upbeat Don't Let Him Waste Your Time. With a catchy chorus, and a danceable beat, this songs proves to be one of the many gems on the this album. Following that is the super-catchy Black Magic. As soon as the chorus hits, you know you can't help but tap your feet and sing along. Jarvis' lyrics are as rebellious as ever, such as "We can't escape/we're born to die/but I'm going to give it a real good try/because nothing comes close, and nothing can compare........to black magic.....yeah, yeah, yeah." As this anthem fades out, the sound of rain arrives and the mood completely flips, or so one would think. In theory a song about rain/stormy weather would be bleak, sad, upsetting, etc. and yet Jarvis pulls off a upbeat hopeful tone. As Heavy Weather progresses Jarvis's lyrics get more depressing, and yet he still sounds so optimistic.

Other gems would have to be the beautiful and melodic I Will Kill Again. Even with its semi-misleading title, one can get the feel for what his message really is. A different song with a similar message would have to Baby's Coming Back, a sweet and hopeful song about someone returning home [from war]. While these songs have a more subliminal style to their message, there is a very blatant song on the album: Running the World. For those unfamiler with the song, it is the hidden song at the end of the 30min song labeled Quantum Theory. With such lyrics as "C**ts are still running the world", Jarvis makes no attempt to disguise his message in this song.

Finally, other notable songs on the album would have to be: From A to I, Disney Time, the gorgeous Quantum Theory, and the most catchy song on the album; Fat Children (which could also be analyzed, but it would take away form the greatness of the song.)

"Wouldn't it be nice, for all the world to live in peace?" .....why yes Jarvis, it most definitely would.

Tracklist:

1. Loss Adjuster (excerpt Pt.1)

2. Don’t Let Him Waste Your Time

3. Black Magic

4. Heavy Weather

5. I Will Kill Again

6. Baby’s Coming Back To Me

7. Fat Children

8. From A To I

9. Disney Time

10. Tonite

11. Big Julie

12. Loss Adjuster (excerpt Pt.2)

13. Quantum Theory

Highlights:
Jarvis Cocker - Black Magic
Jarvis Cocker - I Will Kill Again
Jarvis Cocker - Fat Children
Jarvis Cocker - Quantum Theory (includes Running the World)


(Support the artist and buy the album from: Amazon.co.uk)