"100%" features a young pre-Dianetics Jason Lee. From the classic album Dirty.
Jarvis Cocker
Jarvis
2007 | Rough Trade
I’m into Jarvis. This album isn’t as triumphant and glorious as Pulp’s Different Class, it’s pretty safe to say that record is the benchmark for anything Jarvis attempts in his career, but this is definitely a move in the right direction. Most of the record is low-key, gentle, and moody, but it also sounds like it’s going somewhere. Kind of like a “hey I’m back” record. Songs vary in tempo and feel utilizing slide guitar, bells, and lots of strings. I don’t really get the instrumental pieces “Loss Adjuster 1 & 2,” but slower ballads like “Tonite” and “From A to I” sound breezy and keep you dreaming.
Thankfully there are also
plenty of peppier tracks to keep you engaged. The record takes off with
“Don't Let Him Waste Your Time.” It sounds like a Dave Gedge anthem as
Jarvis pleads to cure a lady of the dreaded young woman’s disease (not a real disease) that thousands of young women suffer from here in
the United States. “You ain’t getting no younger,” says Jarvis-he’s
right ladies. The driving “Heavy Weather” channels Wilco around the
one-minute mark so there are no complaints there. “Fat Children” is
funny yet it makes you take the subject seriously (kudos to the
arrangement) because it’s such a driving song. Jangly guitars float
over pulsating drums and clever lyrics. Apparently common people eat
too much.
“Black Magic” is pretty stunning. Yeah, yeah I know
the riff is obviously borrowed from the classic 60’s hit “Crimson and
Clover.” But I can deal with that because Jarvis is good at making
anything regular sound youthful and dramatic when he gets behind the
mic.
Finaly, the first single from Volta!!! Bjork headlines Coachella on Friday and Volta drops on May 8th.
"Never Understand" is one of their earlier classics when Bobby Gillespie was drumming.
"The Pelican" was shot in Brooklyn, NY in March for Plum TV's “Juan’s Basement”. Footage is courtesy of Plum TV / Juan’s Basement.
One of the singles from what is arguably their best album, 2005's A Northern Soul.
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