No, their last album released before they started doing the show (just under a year before) did well critically and commercially. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rising_Down#section_3 I think they just like playing together every night.
Questlove is also pretty well known for his vast musical knowledge; he has a rowhouse in Philadelphia just for his record collection. They always play interesting walk-on music for the guests. Their intro for Michele Bachmann was brilliant: Roots Welcome Bachmann with 'Lyin' As* B*tch' on Fallon
I'm sorry if the guy was really upset (which i kinda doubt) about the MJ incident he cannot be taken seriously, no matter how big is record collection is
Just like to say that I thought these performances, especially Common People, were brilliant. Last time I saw Pulp play CP on US TV was on Letterman, and that version was much, much less exciting.
i don't know what it is about this performance, but this is one of my favourite performances of common people EVER. i've seen it live at least 30 times (sorry!) and on tv i don't know how many..... but i don't know what it is about this that makes it so good! it doesn't matter that steve's bass guitar is a bit muddy (don't stab me! i know it's not his fault, it's the sound) it's not the hip grinding, or the hand gestures, maybe it's just the simple things like jarvis untangling the microphone wire himself, the little grins, or is my favourite bit at the end when steve is smiling at nick for the last DOOF of the drums
Weener, I concur. I think it's something to do with the passion in Jarvis' delivery? He genuinely sounds like he's singing this for the very first time!