I never understand why new bands feel it’s important to list a bunch of quotes from major labels on their website/myspace/Twitter. So what if Universal think you’re great – I could list a thousand bands on a major label who are utter, absolute crud. And anyway, if they like you so much why haven’t they signed you? Checking Pulse, and other bands like them, should let their music do the talking and not the Tea Boy at a failing business enterprise.
Rant over – Checking Pulse are a quartet from the “south of England”, led by sassy frontwoman Emily. The songs are very slick and well produced, have some pretty catchy choruses but sadly mesh together everything that’s fashionable at the minute to create a band that sounds like it has been created rather than organically grown together. There are blips and samples and vocoded vocal effects and they’re all totally unnecessary – the band clearly have a talented singer who can belt out the right notes and can clearly write and hold a tune. They don’t need to chuck a load of over-produced electronica on top of the likes of ‘Best Girl’ to try and sound current or to take advantage of what is allegedly still trendy (although electronica was sooooo 2008 anyway).
It’s a shame because Checking Pulse are very clearly on the right lines but, like far too many young bands these days, are far too led by what’s supposedly cool and, very sadly, what’s likely to sell. When you have comments talking about “you guys don’t need to worry about which market you appeal” plastered all over your site you need to take a step back and let the music do the talking.