Pulse Park - First Second

 

I loved Pulse Park's debut Phonac Music, so much so that it was one of the albums in our Best 100 Albums Of 2022. So it is ace to listen to the Dortmund Trio's follow up and this again demonstrates the band's versatility.

I may appear contradictory, but this sounds a bit Poppier at times, but at others, it feels heavier and louder than what has gone before. What seems to have largely taken an Exit Stage Left is the Shoegaze element and this really works making the songs even more accessible.

Instrumentally, Pulse Park seem to have moved to an even greater level and become a real Power Trio. Songs are built around a wonderfully locked Rhythm Section that enhances the driving riffs. But the key take here is melody.

They also raid the genres well. Verbatim is nearer Psych Rock and a little Goth. Yet Binary could be Brit Pop. Wide Array is great Pop Rock, whilst Briars mixes 90s Rock with Indie Rock. Marginal Gains instrumentally even gets close to Neil Young.

Union Jones is a reminder of the Shoegaze of the debut, but Dylan is more in tune with modern Indie Rock. Dark Empath even gets close to Mew. Then there is the splendid Pop Rock closer that is Inertia And Mass that may just be the song that grabs most listeners here. It isn't that far away from 90's Power Pop.

The variety is the real strength here. Too many of the bands that follow similar paths is make 3 minute songs into 5 minute songs with unnecessary repeats and extended outros. Songs are just the right length here making this an album that will appeal to those who like melody and those who like Rock. Excellent!

You can listen to and buy the album here. You can learn more about the band on their website here.

.............