I've heard From A To I, Fat Children and Kill Again, once.

From A To I - I want to listen to that again. It sounded fantastic - a mellow and almost upbeat acceptance of the end of our world. I can't really comment much, as I only heard it once. It's very catchy. "Like the Roman Empire fell away, let me say we're going the same way" is what I can remember, along with some pleasingly Pulpy* beepy bits in the chorus.

Fat Children - I didn't like the voice Cocker was singing when this started, but as the song went on it became really good fun. I do like it. I can imagine this being played in (noisy) pubs, and being appreciated by most.

I Will Kill Again has some great singing on it, and is almost a modern day (awaiting to be proven wrong here, it will happen...)  59 Lyndhurst Grove. Not in that he's ripping someone to shreds, rather it's a soft, slow listing of a dull life, with someone warning that he'll kill again if he gets the chance. Some mighty fine singing here.

From what I've heard, there are lots of things to look forward to. The music seems more everyday, guitar and drums leading the way an awful lot, maybe. I wish the songs I heard had the full Pulp line-up making the music behind it, but after hearing what I've heard, I'm certainly excited.

*I do like that phrase, Pleasingly Pulpy. That should be a forum rank, Steve...

First review is on:

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/reviews/story/0,,1892790,00.html

"Beautifully sequenced, Jarvis makes the case for albums as opposed to downloads: it begins, walks the high-wire between light and dark with outraged grace, and resolves itself within space and uplift." (5 stars)

tamzen wrote:

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and does the intro to 'big julie' not completely reek of holy bible-era manic street preachers? 

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So long as there's no ludicrous "A slave begins by demanding justice" nonsense, it's all good by me.

The world and its mother will have heard this album by the time it comes out - a shame it's leaked so early (downloaded nearly 1,000 times already on oink), bound to effect sales.

I think I'll be traditional and hold out until the release date.

Eamonn wrote:

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The world and its mother will have heard this album by the time it comes out - a shame it's leaked so early (downloaded nearly 1,000 times already on oink), bound to effect sales.

I think I'll be traditional and hold out until the release date.

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i'm always here defending illegal downloading (and oink). I don't think high downloads equals a lowering of sales. This is just my opinion of course (i don't have any number to back this up) but i think the only time high downloads would cause a decrease of sales would be when the album is rubbish/different to what people expected.  

if the album is enjoyable people who were going to buy the album before will still buy it as i think people still like cds. If the album turns out to be rubbish (i'm speaking about any album, not Jarv's specifically) then the artist can't blame people for not parting with their cash

i advocate "try before you buy"

I never said that 1000 downloads = 1000 sales lost. I said it was bound to have an effect on sales - the 5% figure could be right. As for 'people liking cds', people also like to save a few quid when they can. But I do agree that it is great that people who would hitherto have a passing interest in Jarvis (and therefore would have been unlikely to spend a tenner on his album) get a chance to check him out for free before deciding whether they rate him or not.

Maybe what saddens me a bit is the disappearance of the first day/week of sale when everyone rushes to the record store to buy a long-awaited album and there's an excited buzz among those fans. Now it's more a case of most people listening to it on their pc's up to (or over in this case) a month in advance of the cd being on sale so the 'official release' can't help but be a climax.

My sister texted me earlier asking me had I heard the album, saying it was great. The same sister that I've probably bored for years going on about Pulp and Jarvis. It felt quite strange, her having heard it before me!

Oh and an interesting thing I've noticed - Pulp fans (well, us on here in the main anyway) seem to have been disappointed/under-whelmed by the lp going by most of the re-actions so far. While other general fans of music (people on a couple of other forums, DJs and my sister) all seem to have taken to it straight away. Which is kind of refreshing - if it's a solo album it shouldn't sound like a Pulp one, and from what I've heard on the radio (Heavy Weather and Fat Children) it sounds like a non-Pulp Jarvis record. So maybe it's natural that it's going to take us lot a few listens before hailing its genius...here's hoping anyway.

i've listened to the album twice now and i have to say its gearing up to be a classic! gets better each time you hear it. i absolutely love the song "i will kill again", sends a shiver down your spine. i also love fat children and big julie. this will probably change after my 3rd 4th listens...

does anyone know if the albums gonna come out on vinyl?

ps- did anyone else see Jarvis at the barbican on saturday night doing histoire de melody nelson? fantastic!

i really liked the first half

i think the best bit was actually Gruff Rhyss though. his voice just fitted the song best i thought.

got a full vid of the jarvis bit. its a bit jerky but the sound quality is ok. will probs put it up on youtube when i get chance