Jarvis Cocker - Jarvis
Critic Score
Based on 24 reviews
2006 Ratings: #34 / 732
User Score
Based on 54 ratings
2006 Rank: #265
Liked by 2 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
musicOMH

It's lyrically depressing, but if you're down in the dumps about the ills of the world and frustrated by a lack of personal achievement, there's surely not a better companion piece to have to hand as you wallow.

100
The Guardian

Artistically at least, Jarvis is an idiosyncratic triumph.

90
No Ripcord
A stunning collection of songs, in the grand Brit-pop tradition
83
A.V. Club

The main difference between Jarvis and Pulp's final album, We Love Life, is that the new record feels far less portentous, and more brightly poppy.

80
Drowned in Sound

One perfunctory listen will confirm that this is the most immediate album Cocker has put his name to in ten years.

80
Rolling Stone

On his first solo album, Jarvis, he shakes off his early-century doldrums with his finest batch of songs since This Is Hardcore.

80
SPIN

As the sardonic crooner fronting Britpop vets Pulp, Jarvis Cocker fused epic, wall-of-sound pop and barbed social commentary. Happily, his killer solo debut offers more of the same. 

80
AllMusic

Even if it isn't as immediate as the prime work of Pulp, it's a richly nuanced, complicated album that finds Cocker near the top of his craft as a writer and record maker.

80
PopMatters

There are songs here that easily stand up to any of Pulp’s high-points, and sound totally unique against the backdrop of 2006.

75
Entertainment Weekly

Fears that incipient middle age has mellowed the misanthropy of Pulp’s ex-frontman Jarvis Cocker are allayed by his solo album.

70
NME
'Jarvis' never quite gathers an irresistible momentum like his past glories did. There isn't a bad song on here, but there are several which don't fulfil their full potential.
68
Coke Machine Glow

All in all, Jarvis is a mixed bag. It feels like the sort of thing that Cocker would do just to expunge his notebooks before moving on.

62
Pitchfork

Jarvis is the record of someone losing hope, the sound of dejection turned up to 10.

60
Uncut

Jarvis Cocker’s solo debut is not so much a curate’s egg as a game of two halves. The first “side” triggers a sinking sensation reminiscent of hearing Morrissey’s “Kill Uncle” for the first time in 1991: has our hero truly lost his touch?

mikehermida
68

Not to the level of Pulp or if I'm being honest, Richard Hawley.

Essential Track - Black Magic

Salvatoridis
90

noiace

Z.Younk
79

Like a polarizing, neurotic Elvis Costello with his fair share of musical quirks and big ideas. It's all held together and kept grounded and accessible by the amazing energy and powerful sound of this music.

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