Pulse Prophets

According to the Pulse Prophets’ website, the stated mission local of this reggae-funk outfit is to “elevate your mind and shake your behind.” A lofty goal by anyone’s measure. In fact, the joining of those particular body parts is often a recipe for disaster, conceivably making the band’s job even more difficult. So, when critically assessing the group’s latest recorded effort, the challenge is to see if the Prophets deliver the goods on both, er, ends. Will they shake our minds? Will they elevate our behinds? Or did I mix that up?

There’s no shortage of booty-shakin’ island groove on Breathe, the band’s second full-length album. From start to finish, the irie quintet ably blends elements of traditional reggae with some seriously slinky funk and hints of electronica.

Pulse Prophets’ rhythm section is impeccably tight. Track after track, drummer Rory Loughran and bassist JP Candelier lock in and lay down a superb foundation. As a result, guitarist Rudy Dauth and keyboard/synthesizer player Andric Severance are essentially turned loose, and they respond by fleshing out the band’s arrangements with an innovative playfulness that you don’t often hear in contemporary reggae releases. Dauth and Severance work well in tandem, simultaneously balancing flash and restraint. Their sound is never cluttered — a signature mark of professionals at work.

However, the band largely falters when it comes to “mind elevation.” Injecting universally appealing sociopolitical themes into music is hardly a novel concept, especially in reggae. And while vocalist/songwriter Elijah Kraatz is a capable singer, his lyrics could use some work.

The most engaging political songwriters are successful — at least in terms of delivering their message — largely because they approach their subject matter with a nuanced sensibility. Anyone can say that war is bad, peace is good and everyone should just get along. The trick is to engage the listener and stir something deep inside them. To accomplish this feat takes more than nuggets of superficial half-wisdoms, which is mostly what we’ve got here.

Kraatz is by no means an incompetent songwriter — he can turn a clever phrase and offer an insightful line, as evidenced by the CD’s fifth track, “Don’t Look at Me.” He sings, “Everyone wants a leader. Everyone wants a god / Everyone just wants a miracle, whether they believe in them or not.” Unfortunately, lines like these are the exception rather than the rule. Folks in need of spiritual or political guidance would do just as well buying buttons or bumper stickers.

Pulse Prophets are talented and polished. But they might be better off just shaking behinds and leaving the mind elevating to someone else. Someone named Marley, perhaps? - Dan Bolles

Though not exactly a local band – they hail from Burlington, but feature Lebanon drummer/vocalist (and VTISTA teacher) Rory Loughran– the Pulse Prophets are building a steady following on the strength of some dance floor-filling sets at Salt Hill Pub and Clear River Tavern.

Their second studio outing matches a steady groove to a topical backbeat. “Right Before Our Eyes” hits at voter apathy with a progression straight out of 10cc’s “Dreadlock Holiday,” while “On and On” laments perpetual war.

Though they wear their political hearts on their sleeves (“Every Day” and “Don’t Look at Me” are two other examples), the record contains enough tender moments to balance things out. The lilting “It Would Be So Easy” is a nice alternative to too many songs about caving into temptation (Hinder’s “Lips of an Angel” is probably the most execrable of the bunch).

“Did What I Could” weaves the threads of the band’s many musical influences together – rock steady reggae, New Orleans funk and jam band abandon. It’s the record’s best song.

“Remember” has a smooth beat, but it’s a somewhat conventional song about love lost. The album closes with “Come Your Way,” a soaring, optimistic tune which could fit comfortably in a Phish set.

“Breathe” is a well-rounded, hard-hitting album – a standout effort from a band on the rise (in April, they’re touring Hawaii – nice work if you can get it!).. - Local Music Review

Music fans around the state are predicting that the Pulse Prophets are headed for big success.

Drummer Rory Loughran and bass guitarist J.P. Candelier both grew up in Bethel and graduated from Whitcomb High School in 1995. Longtime friends and bandmates, the two first played music together for school dances when they were in junior high school. Loughran now lives in Quechee and teaches drum students at the Underground Center for the Arts in Randolph. Candelier now makes his home in Burlington.

Two other members of Pulse Prophets, keyboardist Andric Severance and lead singer Elijah Kratz, who is the band leader and writes all their lyrics, also live in Burlington. Guitarist Rudy Dauth lives in Jeffersonville.

The band has been together for about three years, and developed a devoted following by playing at a lot of clubs and venues throughout the state. These include Ashley’s and the Underground Center for the Arts in Randolph, the Salt Hill Pub in Lebanon, N.H., Nectar’s in Burlington, and many others in the Burlington, Montpelier and Brattleboro areas.

This summer, the Pulse Prophets can also be seen at several larger events, including the Solar Fest in Tinmouth July 15 and the Vermont Roots Reggae Festival August 25 in the Newport area.

Loughran describes the band’s music as "socially conscious dance music, with flavors of reggae, funk, Latin and rock. We’re expanding outward, playing more gigs further away and building a big fan base around the area. Our mission as a band is to spread positive music," he adds. "I feel really honored to play with them."

Loughran says the band’s goal is to make their living from their music, although at this point, several of the members still have "day jobs" on the side to help them make ends meet. "I guess our personal goal is to be successful enough to be financially comfortable while playing our music."

The Pulse Prophets have two CDs out ("Mad House" and "Live 9-11-05") and a third one, as yet untitled, will be released soon. You can find out more about the band (and order you own copies of their music) at their web site, www.pulseprophets.com. - Randolph Herald

It has to be hard to be a reggae-rock band. The concept of fusing island grooves with American backbeats is hardly novel, and finding ways to push the envelope within the genre is a tricky proposition. Inevitably, hybrid acts will cite reggae stalwarts such as Bob Marley and Spearhead as influences, and then promptly disappear into an aural abyss of bands that, frankly, kind of sound the same. Enter Burlington's Pulse Prophets. Drawing inspiration from traditional reggae as well as eclectic outfits such as Talking Heads, the group puts a fresh "higher consciousness" spin on the concept of genre fusion. Elevate your mind and shake your behind this Wednesday, October 17th, at Nectar's with local rock outfit Aimless Drifters. - Seven Days

Music fans around the state are predicting that the Pulse Prophets are headed for big success.

Drummer Rory Loughran and bass guitarist J.P. Candelier both grew up in Bethel and graduated from Whitcomb High School in 1995. Longtime friends and bandmates, the two first played music together for school dances when they were in junior high school. Loughran now lives in Quechee and teaches drum students at the Underground Center for the Arts in Randolph. Candelier now makes his home in Burlington.

Two other members of Pulse Prophets, keyboardist Andric Severance and lead singer Elijah Kratz, who is the band leader and writes all their lyrics, also live in Burlington. Guitarist Rudy Dauth lives in Jeffersonville.

The band has been together for about three years, and developed a devoted following by playing at a lot of clubs and venues throughout the state. These include Ashley’s and the Underground Center for the Arts in Randolph, the Salt Hill Pub in Lebanon, N.H., Nectar’s in Burlington, and many others in the Burlington, Montpelier and Brattleboro areas.

This summer, the Pulse Prophets can also be seen at several larger events, including the Solar Fest in Tinmouth July 15 and the Vermont Roots Reggae Festival August 25 in the Newport area.

Loughran describes the band’s music as "socially conscious dance music, with flavors of reggae, funk, Latin and rock. We’re expanding outward, playing more gigs further away and building a big fan base around the area. Our mission as a band is to spread positive music," he adds. "I feel really honored to play with them."

Loughran says the band’s goal is to make their living from their music, although at this point, several of the members still have "day jobs" on the side to help them make ends meet. "I guess our personal goal is to be successful enough to be financially comfortable while playing our music."

The Pulse Prophets have two CDs out ("Mad House" and "Live 9-11-05") and a third one, as yet untitled, will be released soon. You can find out more about the band (and order you own copies of their music) at their web site, www.pulseprophets.com. - Randolph Herald

"Innovative, booty-shaking grooves... wrapped in a skillful tapestry of sound" - None

"The Pulse Prophets are definitely funky. The songwriting is thoughtful and the vocals soulful" - None