So, here they are again. One of the brightest, most intelligent, interesting guitar bands of the Nineties return after a long, Kelly Jones-ish 3 years away. Welcome back, Jarvis.
We can go on for hours (and many of you shall) about whether Pulp, or indeed any Britpop band, are still relevant today, but we have no time for this here. You people lead busy lives! But what I do know is, this single is a game of two halves, a pie split down the middle, and any other crappy metaphors I can't think of. One of these songs, you'll love. The other, well......
You may, of course, disagree with me on which one you like. Me, I'm up for the lilting, breezy, jangly "Trees". The strumming acoustic guitars, the catchy chorus, the daytime plays on Jo Whiley, ahh yes. The wonderfully articulate image of "telling it to the trees", surely a phrase that hasn't been used in Pop since Sir Cliff of Richard was in short trousers. It’s a typically Pulp record, granted, it shows no great technological-Kid A esq advance, but we don't want that after the HUGE, and it was huge, mistake of "This Is Hardcore". We want nice, safe, dependable Pulp. Well, I do anyway.
Then there's this thing called "Sunrise". Now the main reason I dislike this could well be down to the fact that XFM have been playing it since June. You think I'm joking? But there's something wholly directionless about this song. It has a dull, slightly 'can't bothered' feel to it'. Perhaps it's the simple lyrics, so unlike Pulp, that let it down. "I used to hate the sun, The way that it would always shine on everyone", is, lets face it, a line Noel Gallagher might have stuck on B-Side. There’s also something scarily Prog-Rock about "Sunrise". It just drags on far too long, and you find yourself waiting for the end.
So, an interesting return. I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say I can't wait for the album. Shitty title though......
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8Joe Wisbey's Score