Jarvis

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It is Okay
While I love listening to Jarvis Cocker sing, I can't say this is the best thing I've ever heard from him. I do think it is an improvement from the last of the pulp albums that came out, but there is still room for improvement.

solid effort, but not as good as PULP
This is a good pop record with some decent social commentary. It does not compare to a PULP record such as "We Love Life". The music is much stronger on the PULP records, but I guess this is to be expected of a solo effort. The songs are good, but the emphasis is on the lyrics not necessarily the arrangements. Jarvis has a lot to say and he says it well, but I will always prefer the full band dynamic. I do like the "instructions" Jarvis gives for listening to the record -hilarious. There is a hidden track about 30 minutes after the end of the final listed song. Its a bold protest song that is unlike anything I have heard in long time. I would recommend this disc, but its not spectacular and we have seen Jarvis can be just that.

Jarvis
I just had to have an album titled "Jarvis". Just disappointed that it did not contain the cut "evidently chicken town".

Wonderful.
I bought this album not knowing what to expect... and I completely love it. Well, I didn't 'completely love it' at first. Some of the slower songs took a while to grow on me... but I didn't give up =) I can't stop listening to it. For anyone who was expecting it to be an extension to Pulp's discography, you're kidding yourself. Don't get this expecting that. But for music lovers, I highly recommend it.

the world is a better place because of jarvis cocker
i, like many folks, really, really, REALLY, miss pulp. pulp was style AND substance, pomp and grandeur, literate and accessible, melodic and challenging, and jarvis cocker was its ringleader. after back-to-back-to-back-to-back (his 'n hers, different class, this is hardcore, we love life), pulp just kind of disappeared without any real fanfare and we, the fans, have been clamoring for new pulp stuff ever since (i still hold secret hopes we will one day get a new pulp album). so, in lieu of a proper pulp album, we are lucky enough to get a jarvis cocker solo album, which, truth be told, isn't that far from a proper pulp album. if i had 'jarvis' without the benefit of knowing it was a solo album, i would've sworn it was a new pulp album. this is both a blessing and a curse. a blessing because it reiterates how blindingly good jarvis cocker is as a songerwriter, performer, and frontman. he's second to no one in lyrical ability. really, dood's tremendous. he touches those subjects no one will walk within a mile of. he's not afraid to skewer anyone and everyone. but he's also not above making himself vulnerable and speak to matters of the heart. it's a curse (though not in the purest sense of the word) too, because as good as 'jarvis' is, i get the feeling jarvis is much better served when he's standing in front the sizable musical talents of candida doyle, mark webber, nick mackey, and nick banks. i get the impression jarvis works best in the band setting--when he has people to lead, to guide, and to provide the backdrop for his scathing, witty, humorous, and aticulate lyrics. the songs are great, but they drama and tension inherent to so many of pulp's best songs. could it be age has mellowed jarvis cocker, even just a bit? maybe. probably. i don't know. on its own terms, which is how it should be judged, it's a great album (i know it's really unfair to reference pulp in a jarvis solo album review. i realize it and readily admit it). even if you've never listened to pulp, 'jarvis' still comes highly recommended. 'black magic,' 'fat children,' 'big julie,' and 'don't let him waste your time' are all terrific pop songs. jarvis has lost none of his insight and cleverness. hopefully this is a welcomed (and worthy) stop-gap between 'we love life' and the new pulp album. i can hope, can't i? and if not, the hopefully jarvis will see fit to bless the world with another solo record.