The SPIN Interview: Jarvis Cocker
Jarvis Cocker found fame as Britpop's gawkiest sex symbol, first by releasing fantastic songs like "Common People" with Pulp, then by bum-rushing Jacko at an awards show. "People still come shake my hand because of that," the singer says. "So I can't really regret it."
By Josh Modell 05.22.09 10:30 AM
Jarvis Cocker walks into Chicago's Star Lounge Coffee Bar, and though physically striking -- tall and glamorous in natty thrift-shop chic and substantial spectacles -- no one seems to recognize him.
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Dinosaur Jr., 'Farm' (Jagjaguwar)
Classic freak scenesters re-create fiery golden days.
By Josh Modell 05.20.09 1:33 PM
Years apart didn't kill the spirit of Dinosaur Jr.'s original lineup: Regrouping in 2005, they channeled 1988, with only minor nods to the more refined later era when J Mascis led the way alone. Like 2007's Beyond, Farm sounds like old-school Dino -- gnarlier, snarlier, and better than it has any business being.
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Tortoise, 'Beacons of Ancestorship' (Thrill Jockey)
Beware: your godforsaken genres not welcome here.
By Josh Modell 05.20.09 10:48 AM
After kicking against the arty, instrumental post-rock scene they inadvertently created 15 years ago, Tortoise have erased virtually all of their music’s familiar signifiers, opting now for stylistic mashes that fall into anonymity as often as they reach new, exciting places.
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Phoenix, 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix' (Loyaute/Glassnote)
Doff your captain's hat to Parisian pop-rock rakes.
By Josh Modell 05.11.09 5:07 PM
These arch Frenchmen make precision-tooled pop that somehow retains a sense of urgency and playfulness -- an impressive balancing act consistently slam-dunked by effortlessly ingratiating choruses.
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White Rabbits, 'It’s Frightening' (TBD)
A spoonful of Spoon helps the music go down.
By Josh Modell 04.29.09 10:36 AM
There’s less biting of the Walkmen’s dramatic style on this piano-driven Brooklyn sextet’s second disc; they’ve stirred in a lot more Spoon instead.
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Maximo Park, 'Quicken the Heart' (Warp)
Snappy U.K. eggheads still bringing the drama.
By Josh Modell 04.19.09 1:58 PM
On Maximo Park's third album, there's nothing as ultra-catchy as the nostalgic buzz of 2007's "Girls Who Play Guitars," but Quicken the Heart still hits these British wits' strengths: big choruses (nearly everywhere, but especially on "The Kids Are Sick Again"); dramatic passion (the synthy "Calm"); and sharp, post-punk guitar moods ("Wraithlike").
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