Jarvis Cocker
Further Complications
Rough Trade US
Jarvis Cocker has always been a little too sure of himself. And for those of us maybe lacking in the self-assuredness category, imagining life as a character in one of his songs, can make the daily tedium all the more enjoyable.
As the lead man of Pulp, Cocker spent his night hitting on women out of his league with an alarming success rate and his mornings chronicling his nights.
Like all the good mod bands, Pulp was concerned with class and fashion. But they saw sex as their ammunition in the class war. Essentially, they were preaching the gospel of “If you can’t beat ‘em, sleep with their wives.”
And what a terrific life philosophy that is.
But Pulp disbanded after 2001’s We Love Life, and Cocker was left to fend for himself. His second solo effort, Further Complications proves he’s doing alright as the not-quite-handsome, cocksure bastard who can coo his way into any pair jeans he wants. And damn if that isn’t appealing.
There is more to listen to this time around. Aside from the voice and whip-sharp wit of the lyrics, the instrumentation is fuller and more varied than Cocker’s other efforts. Lead track “Angela” actually has a guitar riff. Like a real one. One you can shake a fist at. It’s the closest to cock-rock (sorry) he’s ever come. And while it isn’t the best thing he’s ever done (far from it) it is nice to see him trying something a little different.
It seems strange to highlight a remarkably average track simply because it is different when there are songs on this record with as much pop genius behind them. One is “I Never Said I Was Deep,” where Cocker puts the whisper that’s been getting him laid since Different Class on display to devastating results. “If relationships are a two-way street/Then I’ve been screwing in the back seat whilst you drive,” is just one of the memorable turns of phrase in this dimly lit, self-aware rationalization. “I’m not looking for a relationship/Just a willing receptacle,” sums everything up quite nicely.
This album puts Cocker back where he belongs, as the lead libertine in a parade of dandy charmers. He’s still uncompromisingly stylish and unflinchingly charismatic. But Further Complications pulls together everything his recent releases had been lacking, creating a cohesive whole.
So guys, hide your girlfriends, Jarvis is back and he’s still cooler than any of us can hope to be.
