"...count me as one of the disappointed... with both the new Pulp and the new Wilco"

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Said a person on the Wilco thread. Now I feel passionate about this so forgive me if come across as even more strident than usual, but "This Is Hardcore" sucked donkeys and "We Love Life" is damn near as good as "Different Class," ain't it so? Come on now, who's with me? And them that aren't, why not?

― John Darnielle, Saturday, 4 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I wouldn't say "This is Hardcore" sucked - it's a very good album, but it did give off a tone of exhaustion. "We Love Life" is a needed fresh start, a new maturity, and probably a better album, though it's debatable (to my ears, at least).

― J Blount, Saturday, 4 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I weigh in with the 'all three Pulp albums are great, don't question me' argument. That said I have listened to We Love Life nowhere near as much as either Different Class or TIH....then again, I don't think I listen to any of the Britpop-or- otherwise-associated groups on a regular basis much anymore, new releases or not.

I honestly don't know what's taken its place either...outside of a few particular albums or groups, my current listening seems to be the most willfully eclectic it's ever been, like there's no one real center or scene or anything for it. I think it's a function of my AMG reviewing on the one hand and mp3 sharing madness on the other, or maybe I'm processing, accepting and moving on from 'new' music more quickly. The last album I was compelled to play into the ground was Lateralus .

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 5 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

"This is Hardcore" was a masterpiece. I believe exhaustion was, at least tangentially, one of its themes.

― Sean, Sunday, 5 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

i have had we love life for quite a while,and even though i quite like it whenever i put it on i havent really got into it,although i'm sure i will...this is hardcore,on the other hand,is quality,with the exception of help the aged...this is hardcore is possibly my favourite pulp song (although as soon as i say that i can think of loads of other ones that are equally good...)

― robin, Sunday, 5 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

'This is Hardcore' was freaking ace. 'We Love Life' is good (and 'Wickerman is the best thing they've ever recorded), but it can't touch it.

― Simon H., Monday, 6 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

This Is Hardcore is my favourite Pulp album, but while I was disappointed with "Help The Aged" when it came out as a single, I really really love it now. So much empty grandeur! Intentionally so! (ie. everyone who criticised Pulp for "going through the motions" were not just missing the point, they were part of it, the rabbit that does not realise it's part of a magic show while it's being pulled out of the hat.

― Tim, Monday, 6 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I think the new one is better than Hardcore, but nowhere near as good as the previous three. Where are the top pop tunes?

― Martin Skidmore, Monday, 6 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

we love life and TIH have far too much dodgy soft rock such as Sylvia, Day After the Revolution, Weeds, Minnie Timperley etc. Not enough Candida on either.

― owen hatherley, Tuesday, 7 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

This is Hardcore was excellent. As good as His and Hers, but not as good as Different Class. New one is a little disappointing. Only a handful of songs up to their usual high standards - but for "The Wicker Man" and "The Birds in Your Garden" alone tis well worth a listen.

― weasel diesel (K1l14n), Tuesday, 7 May 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

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