May 20, 2008

The Dandy Warhols - Earth To The Dandy Warhols (2008)

The Dandy Warhols have always had a knack for writing catchy rock 'n roll, however, they also love burying the hooks in 7 minute guitar squall. Fortunately, this albums keeps the overly long and pointless jams to a minimum. "The World And People Together (Come On)" kicks things off with a hip shake ready for the dance floor. The album still grooves and jams, they just contain it this time and keep it movin'. Most of the time I can't tell what the hell they are saying, let alone singing about, but they're having fun and I'm having fun, so who cares. After a few disappointing albums sprinkled with good singles, they finally create a cool album again. Although it doesn't have a knockdown awesome single like "Last High", this might be their best album since 13 Tales from Urban Bohemia. Also check out "Talk Radio" and "Mis Amigos".

3 Comments:

Anonymous said...

This is their first thematic album since "13 Tales", and it works perfectly. A whole song with Zia jamming? Space itself. They are in the label free D.I.Y. zone and it fits them. And it is totally unlike BJM.

Nightrain said...

I was listening to the Dandys today and realized why they are such a great band... because they are willing to evolve, modify, and shamelessly ditch their "old" sound for something new.

This is appealing to me because it is exactly the way I listen to music. I slut an album up for weeks at a time, and then never call it back, because something new is always out there and waiting... a new sound that is.

The point being: The Dandys are adventurous and risky, and when they want to do something different, they just do it.

Respect.

Anonymous said...

I completely agree with the review. I'd go even further, and say this album is "great", not just "cool". The band somehow manages very reasonably balance classic 90s drug music with the bells and whistles reminiscent of the 80s. Perfect example: Taylor has been quoted as saying he wears his influences on his [fucking] sleeve. "Welcome to the Third World" is a massively successful, and flattering, homage to "Born Under Punches" by Talking Heads. For that matter, it may be wise to pursue this 'psychadelic funk' on future albums. The album as a whole flows, as bizarre and unintelligible as the vocals are, and not since "13 Tales" have I been able to listen to one of their albums all the way through. The only glitch is the last track, a 16-minute ambient marathon with some french dialogue over it. However, it's the last track, and I'll often times find myself letting it play instead of turning it off.