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The Impulse
“Arm the Girls” b/w “Run and Hide” 7”
Deranged
Second single from Dirtbike Adam’s new band. These songs are easy to like at face value—guitar pop with hooks on par with the Jam or Buzzcocks and, on the flipside, backing vocals reminiscent of Cheap Trick’s “Surrender.” But I think Lisa Marr (cub/Buck/Lisa Marr Experience) might be a better comparison. She’s always been a master at writing cheery sounding songs about inner turmoil. First up from the Impulse, “Arm the Girls”: “I followed her and we had alcohol/I spent the night in her room/I’ve got no other way.” Has anyone ever written a more detached, clinical retelling of a night of romance? And how about the self-loathing in “Run and Hide”: “I hate myself and the way that everything goes fair (?)/At least I know what haunts me even if nobody cares.” We care, Impuluse, and we love this single. We just hope they leave the night light on.
Razorcake #45
IMPULSE INT'L "Arm the Girls" 7"
Straight to the point, this is a great single. I mean a really great single! Both sides are absolute brilliance. Two songs that perfectly illustrate why singles rule. "Arm the Girls" and "Run and Hide" will make you feel completely alive. So catchy it's unreal. Power pop done right. Sounds like something Bomp! would have released thirty years ago, and yet this is in the here and now, fresh and with a shelf life longer than a box of Twinkies. -- Matt Average (Deranged)
Maximum Rocknroll June #301
IMPULSE INT'L "Arm the Girls" 7"
Snappy, poppy, and as jumpy as a '77 punk on a pogo stick. Sharp bursts of the JAM mix in with that super rare power pop sound from the late 70's that all the kids seem to be rubbing balls to nowadays. The tunes will stick - you'll be singing these ones all the way to the dole office and back. If you've been digging the TRANZMITORS GENTELMEAN JESSE, STATUES and all the other new breed of punked up mods then you'll absolutely love this. Another winner from the label you all love to hate... get over it.
Jersey Beat Columns - The Quinlan Chronicles
THE IMPULSE INT'L - “Arm the Girls” b/w “Run and Hide” (Deranged Records www.the-impulse.com)
Hitting with the same kinetic hyperactivity of Peter and the Test-Tube Babies’ classic “Banned from the Pubs”, “Arm the Girls” is a track designed for those who loved punk’s earliest, most pure elements. I loved the energy and enthusiasm here, and any song that ahs the lyrics, “We had alcohol, I spent the night in her room” is fine by me! The B-side is similar in nature to its counterpart, with a pure 60’s rock sound that would make the members of the Dave Clark Five smile. The pounding, rhythmic force of “Run and Hide” was a shot of pure sugar. The chorus, partly due to its simplicity and partly due to its hook, will not leave your brain for days. Go get this!
Razorcake
IMPULSE INT'L "Arm the Girls" 7"
This New Jersey trio is comprised of ex-members of pop punk darlings Dirt Bike Annie...competent, catchy, jangly power pop...Musically, I’d toss it somewhere between the Mick-fronted Clash songs and any number of the essential ‘70s power pop bands...Fun and dance-y... –Dave Williams –Guest Contributor (Deranged)
Maximum Rocknroll September 2007 issue (#292):
BOY/GIRL / THE IMPULSE -- split EP
It's a two-band split: BOY/GIRL is the name of one band, despite the confusion that the MRR stylebook for splits might cause. And they're not bad, coming off like a more straightforward BLUES EXPLOSION with a more dramatic (not TSOL territory though, thank gawd) singer. THE IMPULSE are power poppers with the bouncy and very catchy "Get Ready to Go!", which I'd put up there with GENERATION X's "Ready Steady Go" for latter-day tributes to quasi-mod TV. A lot of bands seem to be throwing CD-Rs in with their 7"s, but THE IMPULSE gets extra points for throwing in a DVD when you order from them (there's also supposed to be a CD they sell on their site, but its not enclosed with the 7"). Joe Bob says check it out. (Dr. Dante)
RAZORCAKE: IMPULSE, THE / BOY GIRL: Split: 7”
The Impulse: “Get Ready to Go!” is a great song from Dirt Bike Adam’s new band. The cover art will hook the mod crowd—vivid colors and double-headed arrows zig-zagging this way and that—but rockers will be pleased too. We can all get along with the Impulse. Boy Girl: did I mention that Adam from Dirt Bike Annie has a new band? –Mike Faloon RAZORCAKE
THE IMPULSE - EP
This NYC/Jersey City trio (with Adam of Dirt Bike Annie fame on vocals/guitar) reinvigorates classic power-pop on this 7-song EP, recycling riffs from the Real Kids and Sixties pop hits. Chunky guitars, a light touch on the bass and drums, and Adam’s snotty and sexy tomcat vocals will pull you in and not let go. Great pop music always sounds like you already know it and yet stays fresh and exciting, and the Impulse’s definitely got the (K)nack. - Jim Testa, Jersey Beat
The Impulse self-titled CD
(REVIEW BY LORD RUTLEDGE)
Wow! I put on the Impulse disc for the first time, and within 30 seconds, I was madly dashing towards my CD burner with visions of copying this thing for all of my friends, neighbors, ex-lovers, servants, business associates, and casual acquaintances. Then I remembered that I don't have a CD burner. Shit.
The Impulse represents for New York City/north Jersey but sounds straight out of 1979 LA. In a winning and completely unaffected way, this trio evokes the sound and spirit of bands like The Nerves, 20/20, and The Beat. These recordings could easily pass for a long-lost demo from some great, unknown powerpop group from "back in the day". The band's complete disregard for the past three decades of musical progress, while clearly a virtue, is not the whole story here. The group's greatest strength is its extraordinary songwriting chops. Clearly these three have the talent and sensibility to craft pop songs as memorable and infectious as their heroes'. Adam Rabuck (ex Dirt Bike Annie) has got the intricacies of the skinny tie era's vocal stylings down pat, and the no-frills production preempts the sort of modern sheen that often makes contemporary powerpop feel all wrong. But none of that would mean jack if the songs were not fucking great. "Arm the Girls" is the best song I've heard all year, and I'll have to weep for at least seven continuous minutes if it does not appear on an "official" release by the end of 2007. Most of these songs are not merely catchy - they come through with big hooks and indelible melodies redolent of radio hits of yore.
Rather than seeming stuck in 1979, this band exists in a timeless dimension where good music still rules the airwaves and Paul Collins' mythical rock n' roll girls swarm the streets. And in this dimension, "Hollywood Underground" and "Beat Of My Soul" are chart-topping singles adored by millions, routinely piped through the P.A.s of swimming pools, arcades, amusement parks, and mall food courts from coast to coast. The song "Ev'rywhere I Go" reminds me of being a little kid and spending entire summers within earshot of a radio. It's the kind of song that will probably be lost on younger generations - if you grew up with crappy music on the radio, you might have to wonder why this guy wants to have the radio on while he's eating breakfast and watching TV! But man, there was once a time...and The Impulse is taking me back.
Now Wave Nation, say hello to your next favorite band.
Lord Rutledge
June 25, 2007
The Impulse & boy/girl split 7"
(REVIEW BY RHEA DEE) –Now Wave
The Impulse has one of those nifty '60s garage rocknroll band names (like The Castaways or The Sonics or The Hangmen), which demonstrates their love for sixties garage (that's what I like to think anyway). "Get Ready To Go!" is a touch of lo-fi mixed with a natural poppy sound - which is welcomed on my record player since a lot of bands who try to go for that poppy garage sound end up sounding a bit contrived. Luckily, The Impulse doesn't sound like they're trying too hard, or that they're trying to achieve the perfect garage pop sound, which definitely works in their favor. Nifty shit.
The Impulse/BoyGirl Split 7 Inch Single
Now here's a very odd beast. On one side we have 2 tracks - "Rorshack" and "Alcohol and Certain Medications" from a guitar and drums duo named Boy/Girl and on the other a single track "Get Ready To Go" from three piece band The Impulse.
On first listen this is a very unusual pairing. The Boy/Girl two track showcases a band clearly not interested in following any sort of trends or wanting to sound like anyone else. "Rorshack" is spiky angular and raw whereas "Alcohol and Certain Medications" has more of a zither melody with sound bites over the top. Neither sound like much on first listen but worm their way under your skin with repeated listens.
The Impulse by contrast provide a rather neat three minute high energy pop frenzy that's easy on the ear and you'll find yourself wanting to sing along with the chorus before you know it.
The common link (to these ears at least) between these two seemingly diverse bands is that both could easily be undiscovered gems from the mid to late 70's New York scene. The Impulse coming from the glory days of CBGB's and Boy/Girl treading more towards the No Wave era.
If you buy this from The Impulses website you also get a free DVD. Primary track here is the video for "Get Ready To Go". Shot 'live' in a basement with what looks like an invited group of friends, this won't win any prizes for artistic merit but it's an excellent example of making a little money go a long way. Three other tracks here are definitely shot live in three different venues. The sound quality is ok and the band prove that they can play their brand of good time pop rock live, although I've got to say that they should stick to the all black outfits used on the main video if they want to make any kind of lasting visual impression. These are not professionally shot but I have to say that the occasional person wandering past the camera or even standing in full view don't detract form the enjoyment. There's a 'behind the scenes' featuring a live snippet shot outside on the street somewhere and the demo of "Get Ready To Go" set to a combination of live footage and stills. These last few are the kind of material that friends of the band will love but of only passing interest to casual listeners.
To be honest, this would be worth buying just for the single itself with the DVD just providing an additional bonus. I'm definitely going to be seeking out more from both bands and I'd advise you to at least give them both a few spins. by Phil T. - Glitzine
IMPULSE, THE / BOY/GIRL: Split: 7”
The Impulse: A familiar name. Featuring members of Dirt Bike Annie, The Impulse fall in between pop punk and power pop, very reminiscent of the Hi-Fives: catchy, upbeat rock’n’roll with the highest priority being on having fun. There’s also a companion DVD included too. Boy/Girl: An unfamiliar name. Mid-tempo, fairly arty, slightly noisy indie rock. I want to say that if it was the mid to late ‘90s, and Sub Pop was based in Hoboken or Jersey City, this band would be on that label. –Joe Evans III - RAZORCAKEThe Impulse ST-CDEP
Here's a further 8 tracks from Jersey City/Brooklyn 3 piece The Impulse proving that the boys are no one track wonders.
These tracks continue to remind me of the mid 70's New York New Wave Scene. No, no, no, wipe any images of synth playing bands or gobbing punks that can't play from your head immediately! Think instead of great vocals, hugely memorable choruses, a hint of the Ramones (when they weren't playing at 90 mph), and general good time up-tempo pop punk/pop rock that wouldn't offend your granny. There's nothing particularly new here but frankly who cares when it's this good!
This is an unashamedly nostalgic pleasure for me, reminding me of what I always felt was a golden era of music and I'm kinda glad that there are still bands out there making this kind of music. Every last track here demonstrates quality song writing and each sounds as if the bands themselves are having a blast playing them. Particular highlights for me are "Arm the Girls" and "Hollywood Underground". Sure they are probably the most up-tempo numbers on the CD but their choruses are firmly lodged in my memory bank and I've found myself singing them under my breath at the most unexpected times. These guys need some decent exposure, and (dare I say it) a consistent image so that they stick in people's minds. But please, when they sign their major label deal, let them keep their slightly raw sound and don't let the pressure of having to deliver rob them of their obvious love of playing!
At a time when (in the UK at least) earnest young men with guitars seem to be all the rage, I'd swap half a dozen of them for the aural prozac that is The Impulse. Lovers of quality music should check them out immediately. You won't be sorry.
by Phil T. - Glitzine