![[Image]](../../cd_images/voodoo_smile.jpg)
More Info: www.voodoosmile.net
Verdict (Rating): High octane hard rock (85%)
This bunch of French rockers like to rock their socks off. I'm sure there are bands out there that bear an even closer resemblance to Voodoo Smile, but the names I can come up with are Empire, EyeWitness and Damned Nation. As for actually describing their music in more detail, I'll use the words crunchy melodic hard rock. The band blitzkrieg through this set with little pause for breath.
The band begin this aural assault with "Hard Times" which is a riff-heavy slice of up-tempo melodic hard rock with plenty of widdly guitar parts thrown in for good measure and a catchy chorus. Just the sort of opening that gets your blood pumping and puts you in the mood for listening to some hard rockin'. "Far Away" and "No One Knows" continue the theme. "Get The Fire" has a bit of a swagger to it and a big chorus that somehow gets a little lost in the mix resulting in the song not having quite as big an impact as it deserves. "You Number One" is a ballad that almost feels a little too slow with just the vocalist and the guitarist, but seems to correct itself when the full band kick in.
Both "Forever" and "Stay" are big time rockers which impress most when the chorus is in full swing. "Voodoo's Smile" is a big riff orientated affair that reminds me of Empire and indicates the band have definite metallic tendencies. As you would expect, the title track emphasizes their intention to rock till they drop. Just as I say that up comes the second ballad - the acoustic "How Can I Say".
The Billy Idol tune "Rebel Yell" is more associated with punk and new wave than hard rock. Voodoo Smile do a good job of 'metalizing' the track. I like this tune anyway and having a more rock orientated version of it will be a welcome addition to my collection. The guitarist gets to impress us all on the instrumental "Flyin'". A quick blast of vocal harmonies introduce "Waitin'" before the band go on to rock their way to the end of the album.
I have made similar comments in the past, but because this style isn't exactly new, it only impresses me when the band do a really good job. Thankfully Voodoo Smile have done just that and I'm sure fans of melodic hard rockin' will enjoy this.
