Further complications indeed. On his second solo effort, Jarvis Cocker continues to explore the alienation and lack of romantic fulfillment that have preoccupied the man since his days with Pulp. He may as well call the album “here we go again”. Nonetheless, a more focused production and strong set of songs make this album a welcome addition to the Cocker catalog.

The album is produced by Steve Albini. This would be shocking given the seeming opposition between Cocker’s heart-on-his-sleeve vulnerability and Albini’s your-heart-in-my-fist aggressiveness except that we all know Albini will take just about any production gig sent his way. I swear, the man’s a year away from producing Clay Aiken.

Albini’s production is typically lean, raw and crisp. Cocker croons, snarls and provides some lovely background vox to compliment himself. This is the only way in which he compliments himself, as the lyrics are consistently self-deprecating. Cocker wants to be your lover, he know it won’t happen and that’s lucky for you because he’s about as virile as Leonard Nimoy.

The albums highlight is it’s closing track, “You’re In My Eyes (Discosong)”. It’s got the kind of lush, dancey feel that fulfills the promise of Cocker’s Gainsbourg-meets-Bowie delivery. It’s so good, you might just start the album over again once the song is over.