The Scratch - Pull Like a Dog

The Scratch have done it again with Pull Like a Dog. The lads made themselves a tough act to follow with 2023’s Mind Yourself. No need to worry. Pull Like A Dog opens strong, with the three singles (‘Pull Like a Dog’, ‘Pulling Teeth’ and ‘Gladrags’, all stompers) blasting back to back. Those tracks have been sitting pretty in their set since last year so the fans are comfortable and familiar with them. As they should be, as they’re The Scratch at their heaviest. ‘Cracks’ stunningly glides between feathers and leathers, soothing us and stabbing us at the same time. ‘Mother of God’ has one of the heaviest opening riffs I’ve heard in a long time. This could easily be a Tool song, without the insufferable fanbase (I’m a fan, but yeno). ‘Spacer’ is stunning, and reminds me of Alice in Chains’ Jar of Flies EP. High praise indeed. ‘Roses and Poses’ sounds most like their earlier output, leaning into the trad side of their influence. Possibly the best track on the album, will become a fan favourite, especially considering their motif of background chatter is continued here. ‘I Hope All Is Forgiven’ is (maybe) the most beautiful song they’ve written yet, almost impossibly so. ‘Horsefly’ is like Horslips on speed. Listen to that solo and tell me otherwise. ‘Ringsend’ ends the album on a dazzling note, showing off Lango’s haunting vocals alongside the always amazing Susan O’Neill. Will be overplaying this album, I guarantee you. If that’s even possible. Thumbs up.