But this fifth studio album by the band was already magnificent as is. But with the Deluxe Edition featuring these extra tracks of unreleased songs and songs from other singles released in other countries or featured on a film’s soundtrack, Pulp’s “Different Class (Deluxe Edition)” is one of those top tier Britpop albums that is deserving of the praise it has received back then and to this very day! Highly recommended!
Purchase Pulp – “Different Class (Deluxe Edition)” on Amazon
BAND: Pulp
ALBUM: Different Class (Deluxe Edition)
DURATION: 23 Songs (1 Hour, 45 Minutes)
LABEL: Island
RELEASE DATE: Oct. 30, 1995 (Deluxe Edition – 2016)
If there is an album that would be remembered during the Britpop era, it would be Pulp’s “Different Class”.
While the band has been around since 1978, the band would be known as one of the “Big four” Britpop bands (along with Oasis, Blur and Suede) and Pulp was no doubt on top of the world between 1992-1997.
Consisting of vocalist, guitar, keyboards Jarvis Cocker, guitar/violilnist Russell Senior, Candida Doyle on keyboards, Nick Banks on drums/percussion, Steve Mackey on bass and Mark Webber on guitar/keyboards.
“Different Class” reached no. 1 on the UK Charts, sold over 1.33 million copies and was certified four times platinum. And publication “NME” ranked the album as No. 6 in their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
It’s also one of those albums that I truly find as a Britpop masterpiece! There is not one song on this album that disappointed me and with the extra songs included with the 2016 “Deluxe Edition” release, I think this is one release that fans will love!
And I have to say that the idea to work with an actual couple who were getting married and have them take photos of life-sized cutouts of the band members for the album cover was brilliant. And the idea is also played out in the band’s music video “Disco 2000”.
The album includes numerous singles including a few of the B-sides. One which I consider the band’s greatest songs “Common People” is from this album and also singles such as a “Mis-Shapes”, “Disco 2000” and “Something Changed”.
But there are other noticeable songs that are impressive such as “F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E.” and “I Spy” featuring Pulp & Anne Dudley & Orchestra and songs such as “Something Changed” is just dreamy but while the music is impressive on the album, there are tongue in cheek songs, but just songs that are fun to sing and also listen to. This is Jarvis Cocker at his very best and shows how much of a master lyricist he was, but Cocker’s penchant for crafting wonderful lyric, he has said that he was inspired by Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground, Jim Morrison, David Bowie, Lee Hazelwood, Scott Walker, Dory Previn, Bob Dylan to name a few.
But the benefit of this Deluxe Version is that you get the “Common People” live version recorded at the Live Glastonbury Festival and love live tracks with the audience singing and getting into the song. There is also a “Vocoder Mix” of “Common People” that was featured on the “Mis-Shapes” single, that is included.
You get the “Mile End” song featured in the film “Trainspotting”, “P.T.A. (Parent Teacher Association)” which was featured on the Japanese edition of album and “Whiskey in the Jar” which was recorded for Childline counseling service.
And probably the most satisfying inclusion to this Deluxe Edition are the unreleased demos of “Ansaphone”, “Paula”, “Catcliffe Shakedown”, “We Can Dance Again” and “Don’t Lose It”. And you get a Nick Cave pub rock version of “Disco 2000” which is included.
But this fifth studio album by the band was already magnificent as is. But with the Deluxe Edition featuring these extra tracks of unreleased songs and songs from other singles released in other countries or featured on a film’s soundtrack, Pulp’s “Different Class (Deluxe Edition)” is one of those top tier Britpop albums that is deserving of the praise it has received back then and to this very day!
Highly recommended!
Purchase Pulp – “Different Class (Deluxe Edition)” on Amazon
