I’ve mentioned before how much I’m enjoying the Jarvis Cocker album Jarvis, which, while not as brilliant as Pulp in their prime, is still pretty damn sharp and a worthy addition to his oeuvre. It finds Cocker, after being away for five years dabbling in electronica, appearing in Harry Potter films and generally inspecting the state of the world, reporting back on his findings and being none to impressed.

While musically things veer toward the midtempo, the rather lush, classic-sounding arrangements suits the material perfectly though Cocker hasn’t foresaken the big pop numbers as evidenced by the opening salvo of “Don’t Let Him Waste Your Time”, “Black Magic” and “Heavy Weather”. And that’s fine because rocking out was never what Pulp was about anyways – it was about Cocker and his words, his wonderfully acidic words and it’s so good to see that age hasn’t dulled the sharpness of his pen. In fact he plays the curmudgeon quite well though that’s probably of no surprise to anyone. Currently only available as an import (though I paid a regular domestic price), it will be officially released in North America on April 3. Highly recommended and let me just say it’ good to have Jarv back.

And while on the subject, I noticed that Pulp’s classic trilogy – His ‘N Hers, Different Class and This Is Hardcore were given the double-disc deluxe reissue treatment last year (though for the record, I don’t think We Love Life was nearly as bad as some do). My question is, does anyone have these, and are they worth the rather steep price of admission? I figure I should at least get the Hardcore one, that being my favourite Pulp album and the number of new material on disc two looking quite worthwhile, but how about the others? These acquisitions will likely be in addition to The Peel Sessions record which I didn’t even know it existed before seeing the Pitchfork writeup.

What can I say? I’ve been feeling all kinds of 1995 lately. It’ll pass.

MP3: Jarvis Cocker – “Running The World”
Video: Jarvis Cocker – “Running The World” (YouTube)
Video: Jarvis Cocker – “Don’t Let Him Waste Your Time” (YouTube)

The Shins talk to various media outlets around the world, including The Scotsman, The Sydney Morning Herald, Incendiary (out of The Netherlands) and AZCentral.com.

Leeds Music Scene and The Daily Collegian talk to The Hold Steady.

Billboard pegs the release of Baby 81, the new album from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, for May 1.

Show announcements, big and small – The Killers are at the Air Canada Centre on May 7, The Frames at the Phoenix on April 20 and Birdmonster at the Horseshoe on March 28.

24: Random observations: Milo is so totally putting the moves on Nadia – “Here, use my login…” = CTU PILLOW TALK. The detention camp has truly the worst security ever – never mind missing a cellphone in their cavity searches (it wasn’t even a RAZR), they’ve somehow got NO guards in the yard where they’ve got supposed terrorists or collaborators gathering en mass. Lameness. And after getting the bag treatment from Jack (surely soon to be a staple in the arsenal of every sadistic older brother), Graem finally gets some payback though I have to stop watching the scenes from next week’s episode – not that I expected him to get away with anything, but it’s kind of disappointing to see how quickly he bungles it all. I can only hope that at some point, we get to see James Cromwell throw some haymakers. He’s old but he’s wiry. You know he’s got some moves. Need more 24? Watching 24 is your fix. Via Earfarm.