Room 29 [VINYL]

Possibly as far removed from Jarvis's recognizable work to date as anything released yet, but - you kind of expect something different from collaborations, especially with such a talented pianist writing the music. Hard to explain this subtler / amusing (and at times explicitly graphical composition). On many levels it feels akin to music made many moons ago being both poetic and simplistic and then lavishly classical in parts. The nostalgic / melancholy stories which Jarvis has penned to the notes twist hauntingly / amusingly / upbeat and progressively through part of the history of room 29 and the lives of some of it's inhabitants. The music distinctly lacks the riffs of electric guitars and synthesizers but this doesn't leave the music feeling dull, in fact it's probably necessary and a positive point as it helps define the era of the content appropriately and adds a room full of interest.

I read several reviews that were less than complementary about this album, I'm well aware that Jarvis Cocker can be direct while also going in a different direction to what you are expecting, I have listened to this album a few times, several people said that the album was a departure from his other works, I heard two musicians at the peak of their game, the humour can be subtle and also extremely blunt, but always on point, this album is a joy from start to finish, I would like there to be much more of this in the future

I wasn't quite sure about this album when it first came out. But I gave it a spin and it immediately turned out to be my favorite solo record by Jarvis. I love it. It's dark, it's clever, it's interesting. It has everything I like about the lyrics and storytelling of Jarvis Cocker. Accompanied bv Chilly Gonzales, a talented piano player, the mood is always there. It is a bitter-sweet journey through the history of one hotel room in Hollywood.Even if you are just a common Pulp person and not a big fan of Jarvis' solo work, this one is definitely still worth a listen.Favourite tracks: Tearjerker, Clara, Bombshell, The Other Side

Funny,beautiful & often very moving...."A trick of the Light"..reminds me of watching those sad old Lillian Gish films from 1920s...it is exceptional.

It has the same appeal of a Bowie album or Lou Reed's 'Berlin' it contains so many different elements, both sonically and metaphorically that it's actually refreshing to hear that music of this calibre is still being released. Jarvis Cocker knows the trappings of fame well and there's so much inside this work that it's going to be held up to the same heights as 'Different Class' someday.

This isn’t music for those who like Pulp, or Jarvis’ solo stuff. This is a sit back and chill out to some wonderful piano playing, with Jarvis Cockers poetic readings over the top. And I got the Record Store Day version too, unexpected.

Don't buy - its just awful. Apparently the next Jarvis record is a major return to his previous top form but this is an exercise in dull. Hard to imagine that anything with his name on could be so flat - but it truly is.

not up to JC's usual standard. very different sort of music really. should have listened to it before buying.