Pulled Apart By Horses – « Tough Love »

Pulled Apart By Horses have finally released their highly anticipated second album, Tough Love. This British four-piece are currently riding the genre of indie but are far more suited to alternative and experimental rock. After becoming huge since their 2010 self-named debut album, which held successful tracks such as ‘I Punched a Lion in The Throat’ and ‘Meat Balloon’, the band have only grew in popularity, putting more and more pressure on the standard of their latest material.

‘V.E.N.O.M’, released months prior, is a brilliant representation of the tone of the album as a whole, thrashy and careless. It reminds me of old school punk and rebellion with screeching vocals and strong guitar riffs. It’s a welcomed change in the current indie chart to have a band that doesn’t have a banjo or soft acoustic, with other musicians such as Band of Skulls supporting this reinvention of classic rock, that PABH play a vital role within. The second track, ‘Wolf Hand’ introduces an interesting echoed sound, with a tense, almost Halloween- style breakdown in between verse and chorus. The chorus is powerful, creating intensity as it a tickles higher notes leading into the classic drum roll. This charismatic Halloween spirit is also felt in the appropriately named, ‘Night of the Living’ which has this strange whining guitar and unexpected breakdowns, making the song difficult to switch from. Certain aspects of the song sound like something from the soundtrack of The Lost Boys, classic 80’s rock with this darker undertone.

‘Shake off the curse’ captures a brilliant sound similar to a cartoon theme tune; you’re almost waiting for the sound effects. However, though the song has a welcomed lively feel to it, it does seem to lack something. I feel lyrically it does not match the exciting riff that accompanies it which lets the track down. The easy yet slightly repetitive breakdown in the song makes it a predicted party anthem – now sing along! A personal favourite is ‘Epic Myth’ solely because of its more controlled feel compared to the three previous tracks. With a catchy, anthem- like chorus, and more singing than screeching it shows great versatility in lead singer, Tom Hudson. Though eventually it develops into the heavier sound we love from the band, ending the song well, the break from thrash is much appreciated. ‘Some Mothers’ continues this lighter tone, almost with a 60s pop /punk sound to it, with fast pumping drums and an introduction of light high guitars. Combined with their recognised ruff riffs, and strong power- ballad strokes, it’s a short song, but offers a good burst of energy and again, breaks up the heavier sound with something a bit lighter.

For an exotic, Mexican feel to a song, look no further than, ‘Wildfire, Smoke & Doom’. It’s an interesting sound that I’m glad they have experimented with because it really does add to the album as a whole. ‘Everything Dipped In Gold’ shares this experimental vibe, with riffs that sound slightly out of place, as if they have been placed in the wrong order. It adds just that little something more to a relatively strong album. Overall, this album is a great addition to the bands material, and I’m really looking forward to seeing it live. With some upbeat and lively tracks, it will be great from an audience perspective to sing along with. Though a few songs were not as strong as they could have been, I’m still impressed by the content produced for quite a new band, only forming in 2007, progressing with their music whilst still remaining true to their much loved style – a great album.

Tracklist :

01. V.E.N.O.M

02. Wolf Hand

03. Shake Off the Curse

04. Epic Myth

05. Some Mothers

06. Night of the Living (I’m Scared of People)

07. Wildfire, Smoke & Doom

08. Bromance Ain’t Dead

09. Give Me a Reason

10. Degeneration Game

11. Everything Dipped In Gold

Grace O’Grady