Intro: The Gift Recordings

All of the singles Pulp recorded for Gift Records, including both the A- and B-sides, are collected on Pulpintro — The Gift Recordings. From the opening track, "Space," it's clear that Pulp's confidence and talents have grown considerably, even from the relatively accomplished Separations. Now, the band has created a signature sound that relies heavily on cheap, synthesized sounds as well as tight pop melodies and a theatrical attack that approximates the art rock of Roxy Music and David Bowie. However, Pulp is too concerned with earthly pleasures to really recall Roxy or Bowie. Furthermore, the band's knack for creating terrific pop singles prevents them from being too pretentious, as the singles "O.U.," "Razzamatazz," and, particularly, "Babies" illustrate. And even though it's just a collection of singles, Pulpintro holds together as well as Separations, if not better.