The Pharmacy is comprised of three, garage-pop, indie rockers originally based in the state of Washington. Their latest album release, Stoned and Alone, is a compilation of distorted, sugary pop songs, the longest track on the record reaching only three minutes and one second. The album was recorded in a few different locations and written almost entirely on the road as the Pharmacy spend much of their time as a band on tour.
Despite the songs being very short, a lot happens in two minutes of a jam from the Pharmacy. A comparison to classic rock staples such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones is inevitable. In fact, the chorus of track nine, “Baby Be,” sounds like it might have been written by Mick Jagger. I enjoy the retro influences present on Stoned and Alone, and while more than a tinge of the 60's is present, the songs still have a modern day quality to them, such as the heavy use of distortion on the vocals, guitar leads, and bass that resonate with noise-pop trends of the last few years.
Their songwriting too seems to be from a different time. They create pop songs with verses and choruses; a nice break from so many reverbed-out, and spacey drone records lacking in form that have been released of late. “Dig Your Grave” is a stand out song on the album that begins with a light unassuming piano riff and explodes at around thirty seconds with swirling organ and intermittent rhythmic guitar accents. When the vocals enter I am reminded of early Of Montreal from their debut Cherry Peel, when their sound was more rooted in rock as well.
Other interesting touches include the unique tremolo effect on parts of “Where Do You Run To?” It sounds as though lead singer Scott Yoder’s vocals were recorded in an octopus’s garden through a Leslie speaker. This rhythmically galloping tune comes out from under the sea only to belt out the chorus “Where do you run to?” and then settles back down as if returning to a pleasant dream.
Contrary to the depressing image the title, Stoned and Alone conjures, The Pharmacy have created a danceable upbeat album. All songs are well written, some very good, and others great, and either way, none of them stick around long enough to offend.
Grade: B+
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