I hated the Dandy Warhols when I first heard them, writing them off as too poppy and cheesy but was eventually convinced by an amazing performance at the Powerstation, this was followed by a dismal performance at the Big Day Out, but by then I was digging their records too much to care. Earth to the Dandy Warhols is The Dandy Warhols sixth Album and its an interesting listen.
The record kicks off with ‘The World The People Together (Come On)’, which is poppy even though the vocals are buried deep in the mix - a good thing for pop song longevity. The Bowie-esque stonker ‘Mission Control’ follows featuring a massive synth bass line.
Track 3, ‘Welcome To The Third World’ features slap bass and waka guitars in a tongue in cheek, sleazy take on funk, culminating in some cool synth strings.
The intriguingly titled ‘Wasp In The Lotus’ is classic Dandy pop rock, while ‘And Then I Dreamt Of Yes’ is a stadium styled anthem, big and epic. Yet the vocals are buried again saving this song from recent Shihad-like cringe inducing blatantness. Cool trumpets too. ‘Talk Radio’ features trumpets again and some singalongable na na nas.
‘Love Song’ features Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits fame on dobro (resonator guitar) and Mike Campbell from Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers on guitar.
‘Now you Love Me’ is a celebratory up-tempo pop/rock song featuring sing along ooh oohs it’s followed by the cornball stoner of ‘Mis Amigos’.
If Nick Cave preferred to throw parties than spend his time trying to convince everyone how well read he is, his music might sound like ‘The Legend of the Last Outlaw Truckers’.
‘Beast of all Saints’ features more classic Dandy Warhol epic guitar lines and vocals that sound like they were recorded via a tin can telephone.
I am yet to listen to the final track ‘Musee D'Nougat’ in its almost 15 minute entirety but so far I’d say it would appeal to stoned teenagers late at night.
The pop and the cheese initially put me off The Dandy Warhols but now it’s that playfulness that makes me want to listen to them again and again. This album makes for an interesting listen and the sometimes barely discernable vocals encourage ever increasing volume adjustments.
Review by D Green