Day 37: Q. Are we not listening to 1031 Albums this year?

Album 118/1031

Pulp - This is Hardcore (1998)

All lyrics written by Jarvis Cocker; all music composed by Nick Banks, Cocker, Candida Doyle, Steve Mackey and Mark Webber, except where noted.

No.	Title	Music	Length
1.	"The Fear"		5:35
2.	"Dishes"		3:30
3.	"Party Hard"		4:00
4.	"Help the Aged"		4:28
5.	"This Is Hardcore"	Banks, Cocker, Doyle, Mackey, Webber, Peter Thomas	6:25
6.	"TV Movie"		3:25
7.	"A Little Soul"		3:19
8.	"I'm a Man"		4:59
9.	"Seductive Barry"		8:31
10.	"Sylvia"		5:44
11.	"Glory Days"	Banks, Cocker, Doyle, Mackey, Webber, Antony Genn	4:55
12.	"The Day After the Revolution" (edited to 5:52 on bonus track releases)		14:56

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Is_Hardcore


Golf's verdict: A record that embodies the sense of a band realising that, following years of striving for fame and fortune, the results are not quite the fairy tale they expected, it would have made a fitting sign-off (and sounds very much like that was the plan). Instead, their final effort came a few years later when they had cheered up a bit. It's Pulp though, so it is all excellent.

Maire's verdict: Although not my go-to Pulp record ('His 'n' Hers' holds a special place in my heart), I do love this album.



Album 119/1031

The Fall - Live at the Witch Trials (1979)

Side A
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Frightened"	Mark E. Smith, Tony Friel	5:02
2.	"Crap Rap 2/Like to Blow"	Martin Bramah, Smith	2:04
3.	"Rebellious Jukebox"	Smith, Bramah	2:51
4.	"No Xmas for John Quays"	Smith	4:38
5.	"Mother-Sister!"	Smith, Una Baines	3:20
6.	"Industrial Estate"	Smith, Bramah, Friel	2:00

Side B
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Underground Medecin"	Bramah, Smith	2:08
2.	"Two Steps Back"	Bramah, Smith	5:03
3.	"Live at the Witch Trials"	Smith	0:51
4.	"Futures and Pasts"	Bramah, Smith	2:36
5.	"Music Scene"	Bramah, Yvonne Pawlett, Smith, Marc Riley	8:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_at_the_Witch_Trials

Golf's verdict: Very much a Marmite band, I am looking forward to Maire's views on this one. I am all for a bit of Mark E Smith and am looking forward to some of the other Fall albums on the list, but this debut has little to recommend it, not even his trademark staccato delivery has been perfected at this stage.

Maire's verdict: Seriously - this bloke actually makes a living from being this shit? Don't like him and don't like this album.

Album 120/1031

Devo - Q. Are we not Men? A. We are Devo. (1978)

Side one
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Uncontrollable Urge"	Mark Mothersbaugh	3:09
2.	"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"	Mick Jagger Keith Richards	2:40
3.	"Praying Hands"	Gerald Casale M. Mothersbaugh	2:47
4.	"Space Junk"	G. Casale Bob Mothersbaugh	2:14
5.	"Mongoloid"	G. Casale	3:44
6.	"Jocko Homo"	M. Mothersbaugh	3:40

Side two
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
7.	"Too Much Paranoias"	M. Mothersbaugh	1:57
8.	"Gut Feeling" / "(Slap Your Mammy)"	M. Mothersbaugh B. Mothersbaugh G. Casale	4:54
9.	"Come Back Jonee"	G. Casale M. Mothersbaugh	3:47
10.	"Sloppy (I Saw My Baby Gettin')"	M. Mothersbaugh B. Mothersbaugh G. Casale Gary Jackett	2:40
11.	"Shrivel-Up"	G. Casale M. Mothersbaugh B. Mothersbaugh	3:05

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Are_We_Not_Men%3F_We_Are_Devo!

Golf's verdict: Mark Mothersbaugh is now better known for scoring Spongebob Squarepants. Back in the late 70s he was wearing radiation suits and plantpots on his head and deconstructing Rolling Stones tunes. For an avant garde cult band they are surprisingly catchy.

Maire's verdict: Catchy is not the term I'd use; I prefer bollocks.

Album 121/1031

The The - Infected (1986)

All tracks written and composed by Matt Johnson, except where noted.

1. "Infected" – 4:49
2. "Out of the Blue (Into the Fire)" – 5:10
3. "Heartland" – 5:01
4. "Angels of Deception" – 4:37
5. "Sweet Bird of Truth" – 5:22
6. "Slow Train to Dawn" – 4:14
7. "Twilight of a Champion" (Johnson, Roli Mosimann) – 4:22
8. "The Mercy Beat" – 7:22

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infected_(The_The_album)

Golf's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! One of the best albums of the 1980s. Matt Johnson is an almost forgotten genius these days but this album positively drips with righteous anger about the Thatcher/Reagan axis. 'Sweet Bird of Truth' is the highlight, it's all good though and sounds contemporary and timeless, not like a historic artefact.

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM! This challenge has led me to reconsider some of my preconceptions (although not all of them). I thought The The were a prog rock / metal type band and am slightly upset with Golf for not introducing me to them earlier, bearing in mind he has tried to introduce me to some rubbish. Absolutely brilliant and need to listen to more.