Velvet Voodoo Dolls
Love Circle
by Scott Hefflon
It’s about time someone dug a little deeper rather than merely scouring the surface. While most bands are scratching the hell out of their glossly, post-glam exterior to get that rough edge to latch onto, the Velvet Voodoo Dolls have drilled through and found their roots. They’ve by-passed the Soundgarden/Alice in Chains/Stone Temple Pilots/Pantera sure-fire road to mediocrity and taken the risky route of self-definition. Jon Eric Belton’s street-smart (savvy, perhaps?) drumming and the subtle, tasty bass licks compliments of Geoff St. Pierre provide foundation that’s solid enough to carry any extravagance, yet fluid enough to move with it. Gary Dylan Phelps’ trippy guitar fills cavort and swirl with super-wah ease. His rhythms are heavy and chunky, while his solos are light and playful. Add the chain-smoking, true grit vocals of Jose Alberto and blend in the purity of Callie Katsounkis’ silky voice. The two voices work miracles together. His throaty, hard-working integrity and her sensuous caress of optimism.