Sleeve: Psychedelic band image in combat colours and pink hair.

Sleeve notes: How Pulp Saved My Life hymn of praise to Sheffield's finest since Human League by hip Yorkshire writer Harland Miller; harshly-lit portraits by photographer Willie Seldon. All the worldly wit of Jarvis Cocker's lyrics, a pop social commentator to rival Ray Davies and Morrissey.

Content: All the hits from ten years with Island Records, from Babies to Common People, Cocker-goes-too-serious This Is Hardcore to Sunrise re-flowering.

High point: Sorted For E's And Wizz, the best double-edged drug song ever.

Low point: Jarvis has moved to Paris; the Island contract has expired; a year's sabbatical may prove terminal for Pulp.

Glaring omissions?: Mis-Shapes, "because the band can't stick it". Good judges. Nothing from their early days on York label Red Rhino. Naturally.

Anything new?: Last Day Of The Miners' Strike, even more elegiac than last year's We Love Life album.

Excuse for release: Pulp say farewell to Island and maybe goodnight for ever.

Ideal Christmas gift for: A good buy for a goodbye.

Updated: 10:15 Thursday, December 19, 2002