The Pulltops feature a big sound produced by the power trio of Tom Crowell (guitar, vocals), Mark Pierret (drums, vocals) and Steve Kerwin (bass).
From the first few notes and straight on through to end of this CD I thought this band had something I am always looking for. I like a piece of each decade of modern music from the 60’s to present day and The Pulltops are able to satisfy that hunger that never seems to subside, at least for these ears.
Power trios have a long line and reputation to uphold including bands like Cream, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The James Gang and Grand Funk, to name a few of the legends that literally defined the term. I think The Pulltops take a little of each influence and throw in some psychedelic progressive slices (the band sites Pink Floyd, Gin Blossoms, U2) to produce a powerful, melodic, and catchy sound that is hard not to like if you have a love for rock music dating back to the 60’s.
There are 11 tracks on this CD, each puts the band in a good light as they sparkle and shine with several variations and tones through each musical workout. I should emphasize the word workout because this is three guys making all this noise. I know you can do just about anything in the studio these days to make something sound great and take parts and put it all together but even so, this band does a fantastic job with each track giving the listener long stretches of tight rock sounds that brings out each instrument into the spotlight for a while. Those long stretches of fine musicianship swept me away every time and I had a tendency to forget that the songs had vocals. The first track “From The Womb To The Tomb,” which would have been fitting to end the album because of the title, is an instrumental blockbuster that lets you know that what you are hearing are three men that know how to play music. After that magnetic intro they have some fun throwing everything they have into the mix all at once.
The way they lay out the tracks in sequence is brilliant, “Fools Rule The World” (they ask the question “where will this winding road lead?”) segues right into “Too Close For Missiles, Too Far For Guns.” That track is extension and or Part II of the previous track. Again, the boys give you another instrumental outburst that says it all. Both tracks carry some heavy weight upon their shoulders and the titles alone more than hint towards the state of affairs we find ourselves in these dark days. Chin up though music lovers, this CD will make you smile in spite of the darkness we feel closing in on us right now.
I honestly enjoyed every track for all of the reasons I would love an album, as I mentioned earlier. At times, I did hear the U2 influence and the lead singer Mark Pierret sounds like shades of Michael Stipe of R.E.M. and luckily, for them it works and makes their sound more full and believable inside and out. I highly recommend this band The Pulltops, it is the kind of music you will not be able to get enough of after the first listen.
5/5 Stars
