“The highest as the lowest form of criticism is a mode of autobiography” – Preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray
The plan is to write about every Pulp song, in as correct an order as is possible.
When I started the project I wasn’t at all sure what it would turn into. As I write this (Feb 2013) things seem much clearer, and while I’m still not sure I can define what this is, I can say what it isn’t.
1. I am not a trained musician, so writing about the songs from a technical viewpoint is out (though I do try to read up on the subject a little.)
2. I was also not there at the time, so the social history (we start in 1978) I can add is secondhand and usually from secondary sources.
3. The history of the band themselves is more like it, though this has been done already, and there’s little I can add.
4. I will try not to write too much about myself, though gut reactions are often the best jumping-off point, and if this music didn’t mean something to me personally, I wouldn’t be writing about it.
5. Pulp are my favourite band (albeit tied with two others) but I’m not going to be continually praising everything they’ve ever done. There are plenty of songs I don’t really care for, and a few I genuinely can’t stand.
6. My views will differ from yours at some point, and I’m interested to find out how and why. If you feel I’ve misrepresented a song, or not covered something, and you can spare the time, please feel free to leave a comment. Quite often looking at something too closely makes you fail to see something with proper perspective.
Feedback about the site in general can be left in the comments box here – and if for some reason you want to read more from me, my personal blog is here —> http://haonowshaokao.com
Freaks, Mis-Shapes, Weeds 
I couldn`t love more an idea!
Wonderful project. Thanks! Can’t wait for you to get to ‘Wickerman’, a song that almost merits a book, rather than an essay.
Very grateful for this blog (both idea and execution).
Could you give a definition of the word Mis-shape especially within the context of slang generated from the subculture Britpop and more specifically Pulp were players in?
Mis-Shapes are mixed bags of biscuits which didn’t pass quality control. They used to sell them in bags in the UK in discount shops. Jarvis used the term as a metaphor for being an outsider.
Are you coming back to continue on with the different class era…??
This website is awesome… I’m loving reading all the articles and you write beautifully. But PLEASE don’t tell me you’re going to stop at the 1st song of Different Class!? That’s just cruel…..
I will come back to it, but for a few reasons I’ve had to pause it for a few years. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Thanks! And no need to be sorry. I can only imagine what an immense amount of work it has been.
I discovered Pulp earlier this year (I know, that sucks. I’m from Italy, and here they’ve never got that much attention). Since I have to cope with the fact I may never see them play live, I cannot bear also the lack of new articles on this blog. You already covered my favourite song (Seconds), but I really need to hear more about other ones. I don’t know anyone loving Pulp as much as I do, and reading your articles is like having a conversation with someone that knows them better than me (I don’t always agree with what you state, but that’s the good part of every conversation right?). I couldn’t find any other website that came close to what you did (not necessarily in terms of quantity, but quality). Congratulations for the all the effort you poured into it, but please don’t stop now.
Found you from YouTube and the commonpeople2010 lot.
I hope to have some adventures and connect.
Just now finding this…. I have lived with Pulp for some time now… and my life has been so much better with them, than without. I’ve really enjoyed many of your posts!