A Sombre Revamp: The Pulltops Reimagine ‘Have You Seen The Rain?’

The Pulltops have released their rendition of the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic ‘Have You Ever Seen The Rain?’, transforming the upbeat, quirky original into a slower tempo while melding an alt-rock vibe with the polished grace of smooth pop.

From Milwaukee, USA, The Pulltops, a duo comprising drummer Mark Pierret and guitarist Tom Crowell, excel in diverse genres such as alt-rock, indie rock, and power pop. Initially united by their shared passion for record collecting despite differing tastes—Mark favoring old country and soul music, while Tom draws inspiration from the experimental underground scene.

The 1970s rendition of ‘Have You Seen The Rain?,’ The Pulltops set themselves apart and make the track their own by adjusting the song's tempo, decelerating it, and simplifying it with the use of a lone booming and echoing drum to craft a haunting atmosphere, and calming pretense.

Unlike the original's lively atmosphere with its constant rhythm and upbeat guitars, The Pulltops evoke emotion through the sound of rain using single guitar strums with sudden pauses that then develop into short riffs to signify the beginning of the rain cycle and into a downpour. These sporadic bursts blend with the solitary drum, becoming both distorted and crisp. This merger creates distant harmonies that establish a haunting yet revitalising mood. 

The Pulltops show their true craftsmanship by taking an iconic song and reworking it to fit their tone and style, resulting in ‘Have You Ever Seen The Rain?’ becoming their own whilst honouring a classic. 

Ana Joy King 

@anajoyking

Image: ‘Sight Lines’ Official Album Cover