In their self-titled release with Jam House Productions, Voodoo Pharmacology is somewhere between Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode and Oingo Boingo. The album mixes crunchy, grungy synths and driving chords with haunting, plucked acoustic strings in a broad range of addictive tunes that are each distinct, but united by the band's unique sound. The album starts strong and doesn't need to fight for your attention - Voodoo Pharmacology's powerful music and evocative lyrics grab you, throw you in the back and take you for a ride.
"The Legend of Pete Bombascinto" is a spoken tale over loud, bluesy riffs that tells the story of a Vegas Boss that glitters with neon, and booze-laden poker room noir and then, somehow, transitions effortlessly into the next track "Asphalt and Tumbleweeds" which quietly muses with a banjo and violin and evokes the desert at night. The simple, excellent track balances urgency and discretion, hauling ass away from a bad dream with the top down and the wind and stars to wash away the sound of Bombascinto's gunfire.
"The Mannequin Ballet" is a kiss from the mind of Tim Burton and deserves to be in his next feature film. Haunting, soft and sweet, it's a dark music box melody that caresses you away from whatever you were doing and gently, insistingly, commands you simply stop and listen.
Voodoo Pharmacology's style, substance and immense skill are a force to be reckoned with. The Baltimore, Maryland band is immensely talented and has the technical prowess and production values to back it up. Keep an eye on them, Voodoo Pharmacology is going to go far!