Beyond the Pale is the best thing Cocker has done since Pulp, and that is very good indeed.
This record — Cocker's finest work since This Is Hardcore, maybe — marks the arrival of an adventurous collective who might just be getting warmed up.
Right now, as we all tap our feet – nervously, impatiently, wondering what new rhythms our lives will have to adapt to – Beyond the Pale offers a light in the darkness.
Beyond the Pale feels tight, tense, yet free, with pasty Cocker as this debut album’s broodingly bittersweet yet (somewhat) gleeful centerpiece joining together with his ensemble for a ring of rare design.
Judging by Beyond the Pale, his best album in years, Cocker is one of those confounding frontman who appear to dominate bands but struggle on their own.
‘Beyond The Pale’ is seven tracks is timeless and timely genius from the finger-wagging Sheffield frontman, matching his lyrical wit to a series of fantastic arrangements, touching upon everything from Leonard Cohen documentaries to the lingering attractions of rave culture.
‘Beyond The Pale’ is a cracking addition to the Cocker canon, bursting with that Pulp knack for nerdy melodrama and primed for the dancefloor.
While it may be far from a perfect album, Beyond the Pale is a satisfying offering from Cocker and his new JARV IS... project. The album's themes, along with the complete embrace of art rock stylings, make this far from a retread of his previous musical endeavours and a worthy listen for Jarvis Cocker fans.
None of this breaks musical barriers. Still, Cocker’s assimilation of some obvious influences noted above hits a sweet spot that makes Beyond the Pale, some of which was apparently recorded live then enhanced with overdubs, impressive, often moving and hypnotic. Hopefully he can follow it up faster than the time it took to get here.
Wow, huge disagreement between critics and users! this is always an interesting ground.
Disclaimer - I am a big Pulp fan and I think they recorded the best songs from the whole brit pop movement (I do love blur and Oasis too, but Pulp is Pulp).
Let's review this by parts.
The Concept –
The idea was to take some live recordings and add overdubs in top of them in order the make some kind of mix between the rawness of the lives albums and the neatness of the studio records. As an ... read more
Genre: Art Rock
How the hell did this completly unknown band get a must here? *Slams keyboard* ah it's Pulp. I like Pulp!
These lyrics sound like if Bob Dylan was a teenage girl. Talking about being born a harmony in a world of melodies 😔 and tapping his toes with the devil 🔗🥀🔪🩸.
Regardless, even ignoring the VERY 90s style sound of this album you still have your standout moments. Such as the last two minutes of "Am I Missing Something" which is just....goddamn ... read more
Seven thrilling songs and Jarvis Cocker in top form. Now and then I don't need much more for a good half-hour musical pleasure.
Seven thrilling songs and Jarvis Cocker in top form. Now and then I don't need much more for a good half-hour musical pleasure.
Save the Whale ~ ★★☆☆☆
Must I Evolve? ~ ★★☆☆☆
Am I Missing Something? ~ ★★☆☆☆
House Music All Night Long ~ ★★☆☆☆
Sometimes I Am Pharoah ~ ★★★★☆
Swanky Modes ~ ★★☆☆☆
Children of the Echo ~ ★★☆☆☆
⏳ new & improved: time-weighted score ⏳
1 | Save the Whale 4:30 | |
2 | Must I Evolve? 6:41 | |
3 | Am I Missing Something 6:46 | |
4 | House Music All Night Long 5:52 | |
5 | Sometimes I Am Pharoah 5:17 | |
6 | Swanky Modes 5:35 | |
7 | Children of the Echo 6:31 |
#5 | / | Rough Trade |
#7 | / | MOJO |
#8 | / | Uncut |
#16 | / | Under the Radar |
#23 | / | Hot Press |
#25 | / | BrooklynVegan |
#27 | / | Les Inrocks |
#28 | / | God Is In The TV |
#34 | / | MondoSonoro |
#45 | / | The Forty-Five |