Britpop was one of the greatest musical parties ever, but of course, someone had to wake up when it was over with a crippling hangover and sick with regret - and that man, by his own admission, was Jarvis Cocker. One minute the darling of the media from NME to fashion shoots to The Late Show, the next fleeing to New York City and suffering a breakdown.

‘This Is Hardcore’ could have sounded so much different without this unexpected sabbatical from Pulp’s frontman. When the band first regrouped after the stella success of ‘Different Class’, it was to work on ‘Cocaine Socialism’, essentially ‘Common People 1.5’ which would no doubt have sent them even further into the big leagues. Until Cocker decided not to release it, in fact this is the first time the proper version has ever been available. And it’s brilliant.

Yes, unlike many reissued classics where there’s one new track and to paraphrase Morrissey, a tacky badge, ‘This Is Hardcore’ comes with a second CD of treats that as well as b-sides, feature a load of tracks that have never seen the light of day. We wont bother talking about ‘This Is Hardcore’, suffice to say it is one of the greatest breakdown albums ever released, the sound of defeat and paranoia behind closed doors, there’s no light, no cheery release, just the best album of Pulp’s career. Still mind blowing to this day and now with crisp new remastered sound, the sound of someone losing the plot has never been so crystal clear.

CD2 then, it begins with the aforementioned ‘Cocaine Socialism’, then classic b-sides such as ‘The Professional’, and then the Velvet Goldmine track ‘Boyz Will Be Boyz’ and then the demos that show just where Jarvis’ mind was at (or not at) at the time. Not many popstars would make a plea such as ‘Can I Have My Balls Back Please?’ or call a track ‘My Erection’ but then there was never anyone like Jarvis and as the CD ends with the ‘End Of The Line’ mix of ‘This Is Hardcore’, you realise that, for Pulp, the musical landscape was changed forever. Sure there was one more (disappointing) album before they bowed out, but this is Pulp’s greatest moment, albeit a painful one for all involved – except the listener of course.