Pull In Emergency – Pull In Emergency

Much will be muttered about Pull In Emergency’s formation, not least their school-band-done-good story, emerging from north Londonbut managing to undo the shackles that tie down mostelementary bands to Green Day covers and pitiful metal-by-numbers.It’s difficult not to have your opinion dictated by the fact that thisoutfit is so youthful and admittedly inexperienced, particularly when their self-titled debutoffers little in terms of surprises.

Granted, the instrumentation isnot unlike the sorts of sounds coming from more established acts – tied downand tight – and it resembles the immediacy of fellow fresh-faced outfitBombay Bicycle Club.

And whilst Faith Barker’s rich vocals could sound more suitedalongside a clich�d pop setup, in her lies the only valuable assetsetting the band apart from the mediocrity of The PigeonDetectives and countless subsequently appearing and disappearingacts that never made it past a couple of raucous, sweaty local gigs.She does well to add variety to a static set of chords and riffsslugged out by her bandmates, providing a much needed energy toBackfoot’s chorus and appearing to dictate the sombre mood of theanthemic Planes.

However, this talented singer is merely doing her best underthe circumstances. She’s fronting – and, not to forget, she’s partlyresponsible for – a dated sound: guitar-based indie with sharp, spikyriffs and a harsh, relentless pace. This sound – once wildly popular as it was amongst the rush of curly-haired, cigarette-smoking young men who played their part in bulking up amusic scene – has certainly seen better days. Perhaps merely calling the album outof trend would be a shallow criticism, but even in its heyday, indiefans wouldn’t have plucked Pull In Emergency from a cast ofthousands, so average is their sound and image.

This collection of songs lacks the necessary components – among them, credible stimulation and an original, inspired idea – to step out of nowherewith invention and charm. But the ironically titled opener EverythingIs The Same and all that follows feels too easily put together from hobby-kit instructions. And whilst the band are undoubtedly capable of keeping a tune, it’s up to them to create substance of a little more originality. Instead, they’re left with their youth, backstory, andfickle nature to provide the excuses. It’s not nearly enough.