Pulco
– Rodeo EP
DL
Out
Now
8
/ 10
Welsh
singer and musician releases his new EP.
If
you’re unfamiliar with Pulco then is really is time to get acquainted. The solo project of one Ash Cooke for the
last ten years is one of lo-fi, D.I.Y., poetry, songs and general noise.
As
guitarist with Cardiff band Derrero he toured with the likes of Gorkys Zygotic
Mynci, Catatonia and Super Furry Animals and was celebrated in John Peels
Festive 50 of 1998.
With
an almost punk-like attitude of recording when he has something to say, Cooke
has developed a huge respect amongst fellow musicians including Johnno Casson
and Nat Lyon who have often collaborated with or covered his work.
The
new EP, was apparently unintentional with Cooke messing around with a slightly
fuzzed out sound, four songs came to life and the Rodeo EP was born. Opener, the brilliantly titled Last Welsh
Girl AT The Rodeo is a pseudo Country Skiffle affair and features storyteller
lyrics against a simple but effective backing.
Slow
Trem, is unsurprisingly built around Cooke’s Telecaster guitar and with a
simple bassline. Vocals make way for a
spoken word sound byte discussing the choice of language for Canada. Slightly bizarre, but such is the world of
Pulco. The plodding bass underpins an
easy listen and cute track.
Bakesale
is a tribute to the Sebadoh album of the same name released in 1994 where Cooke
recounts Derrero supporting the band on their UK tour and sharing after-show pleasantries. It features spoken word in a treated voice
and the ‘chorus’ is catchy to say the least, declaring that he loves Sebadoh
with another Country Punk backing.
Closing
the EP is Digits, a madcap affair which could also be the bastard child of Devo
and Johnny & The Hurricanes. A
frenetic drum pattern with nonsense sounds, harmonies and semi-shouted vocals
makes for a slightly mad end.
Pulco
deserves more recognition. Fact. His no-nonsense, do-it-my-way approach is
nothing short of admirable, and if you haven’t previously enjoyed his vast work
(now amassed to ten albums) then, like this writer, it’s time you sat up and
paid attention.
Links
Pulco website
Pulco on Twitter
Johnno Casson on hiapop Blog
Nat Lyon on hiapop Blog
Published on Louder Than War 24/05/15 - here
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