Pulley

Together Again for the First Time (Epitaph)
by Tim Den

Since their horrible sophomore effort 60 Cycle Hum, Pulley have slowly regained momentum with each release. Together Again for the First Time, their fourth record (and first without guitarist/vocalist Jim), is the closest the band has gotten to reclaiming the jaw-dropping infectiousness of their debut, Esteem Driven Engine.

The song titles/lyrics are still vague and common place (“History,” “Fuel,” “Empty,” “Touched,” “Silence,” “Sick Feeling” [did the band forget that they already have a song called “Sick”?]) and some of the melodies still seem lost and unsure, but they’re getting closer. “Empty,” by far the disc’s most ferocious, spirit-lifting moment, centers around a roaring chorus and pretty bass line. “The Ocean Song” provides a speedy soundtrack for surfing, and “History” shakes the room up and down with its jumpy riffing. Overall, an enjoyable pop-punk record for when you feel like putting one on. And although not the best of the bunch, it shows that the band have more solid albums in ’em.
(2798 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026)