Review: Pulley – “Different Strings”

SBÄM Records – 28 May 2021

Pulley without the rope

California punk rock veterans Pulley have muted the Marshalls on their new release Different Strings , a 4-song acoustic EP on vinyl. All four tracks are pulled from their classic debut record, 1996’s Esteem Driven Engine. 

These tunes are tucked in and turned down, featuring only acoustic guitars and vocals. No major changes seem to be afoot, just the same songs from 1996 that you (possibly) know and love, but without drums, electric guitars or distortion; and an overall mellow vibe with a more relaxed tempo throughout. 

This record is not the high energy output that Pulley is known for, but seems to have a throughline of sadness and longing sewn into the music. Scott Radinski’s voice is prominent in the mix. Thick and even with a veteran fullness, his vocal performance seems to teem with the madness of a man who has teetered on the edge of greatness for far too long, perhaps unable to see the merit of his many accomplishments.

The breakneck stops and carousel guitar licks that personify Pulley are not apparent on this album. Lead track “Silver Tongue Devil” is the only one to really keep the hight tempo of the original, while “Cashed In,” “One Shot,” and “No Defense” all from that tempo down to varying degrees from the source material.

While I wouldn’t recommend this album to a casual fan looking to deepen their love of the band, I’m sure it will appeal to long time fans and collectors, as the 10” vinyl is available in 4 colored variants. 

Is this an essential EP for the casual Pulley fan to purchase? Probably not in an era of streaming where these tracks will likely be available one place or another. It’s appeal as a must-own item likely lies with long-time fans and/or vinyl collectors, as the 10″ vinyl is being made available in four different colored variants. But for fans of Pulley, or just fans of acoustic, you could do worse than set aside some time to take a listen.