Additional information
Personnel: Jarvis Cocker (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, Mellotron, synthesizer, bass synthesizer, Moog synthesizer, vibraphone, glockenspiel, 6-string bass, tubular bells, hand bells, background vocals); Richard Hawley (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, electric 12-string guitar, 12-string guitar, lap steel guitar, baritone guitar, lyre, piano, celesta, vibraphone, percussion); Ross Orton (guitar, acoustic guitar, drums, timpani); Steve Mackey (acoustic guitar, vibraphone); Julian Leaper, Janice Graham, Julian Tear, Martin Burgess, Celia Sheen, Steve Morris , Simon Smith , Harriet Davies, David Juritz, Amanda Smith (violin); Robert Smissen, Janet Atkins, Catherine Bradshaw, Richard Nelson, Bill Hawkes (viola); David Cohen , Jonathan Williams , Adrian Bradbury, Stephen Orton (cello); Martin Slattery (saxophone, piano); Graham Sutton (keyboards); Jason Buckle (synthesizer); Alasdair Malloy (marimba, glockenspiel, congas, percussion, hand bells); Chris Laurence (double bass). Audio Mixer: Graham Sutton. Recording information: Angel Studios, Islington, London, England; K.P.I Studio, Sheffield, England; K.P.I. Studio, Sheffield, England; Les Studios De La Seine, Paris, France; Mayfair; Miloco; The Strongroom; Yellow Arch Studios, Sheffield, England. Photographer: Serge Leblon. Unknown Contributor Role: Ross Orton. Issued in the U.K. during late 2006, Jarvis Cocker's solo debut finds the ex-Pulp frontman returning to the well-honed Britpop sound of his lauded former band after a brief stint heading up the Relaxed Muscle techno project. While JARVIS lacks the cinematic expanse of Pulp's swansong, WE LOVE LIFE, and the darkly brooding atmosphere of THIS IS HARDCORE, it hews fairly closely to the pop-savvy rock sound of HIS 'N' HERS and DIFFERENT CLASS. Cocker's deep croon and witty social observations are fully on display here, whether he's singing about an inappropriate lover ( "Don't Let Him Waste Your Time"), not so subtly alluding to murder (the deceptively gentle "I Will Kill Again"), or being assaulted by portly kids (the punked-up "Fat Children"). Joining Cocker are Pulp alum Mark Webber (guitar) and Steve Mackey (bass), along with six-stringer (and revered singer-songwriter) Richard Hawley. Although JARVIS may not eclipse past Pulp glories, it certainly honors their roguish spirit, and serves as an excellent showcase for Cocker's cheeky charm.
