Hits [DVD]

Featuring the band's promotional music videos, from1 1993's "Razzmatazz" to 2002's Live Aid baiting "Bad Cover Version", this package really is something for Pulp fans to rejoice over. Not only do we get the videos, but a shedload of extra material rarely seen on our TV screens. Even the menu designs are gloriously kitsch, featuring felt figures of the band attempting to plug in guitars, pull down projection screens and more. All the videos included here are pure Pulp - the earlier videos have a great low budget feel to them, especially the 1992 vid for "Babies" featuring on screen captions and great use of editing. It's also hilarious to see Jarvis wearing just a suit jacket and nothing underneath, and bass player Steve Mackey's fantastic curly afro he sported circa 1992-93! As the videos progress, so does the budget and the creativity. By the time we hit the new 1994 version of "Babies", it's transformed into a collection of kitsch and lurid objects such as coloured tights, hairbands and slinky springs. "Mis Shapes" takes place around a fight between the 'normal people' and the 'under dogs' in a nightclub, and then of course there is "Common People", the song and video that catapulted Pulp into mega stardom after nearly seventeen years of trying to crack it. The extra footage on this DVD is also amazing, split, as it is, into sections. "TV Madness" is a near 20 minute compilation of Pulp's appearances on various TV shows, including the Big Breakfast and a strange foreign show where the presenter insists on reading out the entire lyrics to "Common People"..."Home Movies" features Pulp 'au naturel', with the band captured on camcorder, and raises some humorous moments (Jarvis buying a new shirt from a charity shop is priceless!). "Live" showcases Pulp where they are best - on the stage, and features great performances of "Sunrise", "Dishes", "Joyriders" and "59 Lyndhurst Grove". Finally, we have "Sheffield Bands" - this is a short documentary of dubious filming quality from the mid 80s about local bands of the time. Pulp get a mention, albeit with now ex-band member Russell Senior doing most of the talking. We also get to see a snippet of a live performance of 1980s B-side "The Mark Of The Devil" in a toilet roll drenched set (!). There are also a couple of documentaries, made by Jarvis and Steve based on two of their tracks. "Do You Remember The First Time" is a 30 minute set of interviews with various celebrities on losing their virginity, while "This Is Hardcore" looks at the question of morality and pornography. Overall, this is all Pulp fans could have hoped for and more. The only disappointment is perhaps the lack of inclusion of a documentary about how the band got together and their earlier years, or some of the homemade promo videos for some of their late 80s/early 90s work that had been made. This doesn't dampen the effect of the DVD though, which will blow you away! Here's to the next new Pulp project!

As a collection of classic 90's pop standards this is essential for anyone who loves real music but for fans of Pulp this a really quality piece of work. Home video archives, alternative video's, promo films as well as a collection of live videos will make this the perfect DVD to dip in an out of again and again.

I disagree completely with one of the earlier reviewers:
This DVD is _full_ of great extras and footage. I bought it a few months ago, and I still watch it every once in a while. Every time I watch it, I notice something new.

It's so great to see early footage of this huge band, in their hometown, playing in an empty bathroom with toilet paper 'artfully' strewn about.

Basically, this isn't like any other DvD or video I've ever seen by a band. Usually it's just a string of videos that you've probably already seen. But this DvD has home movies, live performances, a couple odd documentaries, and some great home movies and stuff taped off t.v. (things from all over the world, not just Britain -- I'd seen none of it before); as well as 16 regular music videos.

I wish every band I like would make a DVD like this.

And, by the way, I am not the biggest Pulp fan. Most of the time I listen to _His'n'Hers_ and some rarities I've downloaded.

So, in conclusion, if you like Pulp, I think you'll like it. 5 out of 5 stars!