Track List
Repeat Offender
Lonely
Wake Up
Two Winds
Align the Planets
Northbound
Sad Song
Golden Life
Frances
Dust Off the Dreams
Transmigration
California
Californian band Pulley epitomizes punk rock at its edgy best, and they sound like they’re raging against the world, forcing their way through the barrage of unwanted noise and colliding with the status quo… and then pulverizing it. By doing so, Pulley have elevated into an act totally in control of their muse. They’re not the biggest band on the planet, but their music is big, bold, dramatic, riff infused and meticulously created.
The Golden Life enforces a punk spin and does what it sets out to do, and that’s giving people a natural embrace. As a record of substance, it doesn’t rely on the same done-to-death riff or an overly used lyric. It actually tells a story, and one that tackles many themes. These themes are dark and somewhat depressive. Pulley certainly aren’t a collective to shy away from the razor-sharp, cutting realism that life brings.
Not just on the warpath, Pulley dance with every riff that they create and dazzle with every lyric they put down on paper. They’re not one of your run-of-the-mill punk bands singing about decaying lust or jokes and they’re notably pushing the genre either. Instead, they’re augmenting it and adding their own monumental slant in the process.
‘Repeat Offender’ starts the record off with a blast of high energy punk rock. The band wants to design openings like this, not just for dramatics, but to get the listener engaged and off their feet. A solo is present here, and the lyrics describe failings and hurt.
‘Northbound’ is a melodic stab at punk, which is enlightening and spontaneous at moments. The band convey their hope for recovery. It’s also worth mentioning ‘Dust Off The Dreams’ too, which hits harder than most and is melodically smooth, detailing woes and monotony.
The Golden Life by Pulley dodges clichés and hyperbolic intentions. It’s also a record of hard-hitting songs, which are melodic and sincere.
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Verdict - 9/10
9/10
Songwriting and production quality are off the charts with this release. Really some of their best work – which is saying a lot considering their outstanding library of songs. I came into this release with mild expectations but was quickly blown away. Reminds me of the album, Matters, where every song on the album from start-to-finish was a banger. Best album of 2022 for me.
Been a fan of pulley since I heard “if” on my Punk o’ Rama compilation cd. It blows my mind that when I play a song I loved in the 90’s and something from the new album you can’t hear a difference in any of the categories. They always come out with stellar albums and the golden life is Pulley at its best. It almost made me cry hearing a brand new pulley album at 40 and feeling as moved as I did in my teens. F’ing love these guys.
great album, loving this sound!