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The Dandy Warhols – “ROCKMAKER” Review

The Dandy Warhols - “Rockmaker” Review

The Dandy Warhols have dedicated their life to all things cool. They’re far in the game and have stayed true to their word. Yes, they are to modern bands, not unlike what the hippies were to the alternative rockers of the 90s.

The new album, “ROCKMAKER”, proves two things: The Dandies see no reason to change, and, unlike their contemporaries, they can still fit in their own tight jeans. That’s no small thing. Self-parody is not something most bands can avoid. Often, it’s a niche that only rockstars can fit into, and that helps them them earn funds for retirement.

For most bands, the moment when the hits dry out, is the moment that they know they have to get on the oldies circuit. They’ll play the hits. They’ll cash the checks. And, fans will feel it’s unfair to complain about age taking its toll. 

The Dandy Warhols - “Rockmaker” Review

On “Rockmaker”, The Dandy Warhols aren’t recycling old ideas. Nor are they despairing over not being able to come up with a new “Bohemian Like You” or crying over the passing of time. There are plenty of bands who are doing that.

“ROCKMAKER” is More About Texture Than Actual Rocking Out

The Dandy Warhols give us the greatest gift – they’re not bitter. On “Rockmaker,” they’re still chasing new sounds, they’re still in love with their own songs, and they’re still looking to drink and get high. I can proudly announce that the Dandies aren’t becoming a rock institution anytime soon. How gross that would be!

The album opens with the dirty, lo-fi groove of “Doomsday Bells.” One thing is clear from the draw – these are songs that play around you, not hooks that stop you from doing anything else, the kinds that The Dandy Warhols won most of their success on.

The cleverly titled “Danzig with Myself” is another groovy, mid-paced rocker. But once again, singer Courtney Taylor-Taylor’s vocals are buried in the mix (likely purposely), as are those of guest singer Frank Black.

What the album does do very well is provide a quick, guided tour of The Dandies’ very well-curated record collection. “Teutonic Wine” brings to mind the shoegaze bands of the late 80s and early Beck. “I’d Like to Help You With Your Problem” sounds like late 60s hard blues rock and features Guns n’ Roses‘ Slash blazing a guitar solo. Many of the other tracks bring to mind 60s guitar pop.

The Dandy Warhols - “Rockmaker” Review

There are moments, however, when Taylor-Taylor gets direct and reaches for a hook. All those moments are fun, albeit they feel like songs written in fewer minutes than the actual running time.

“The Summe of Hate” is a nursery rhyme about the upcoming elections, although it does accurately capture the mood in the U.S.A. And although “Root of All Evil” features some of the most puerile lyrics Taylor-Taylore ever came up with, it’s the most memorable tune on “Rockmaker.” It works so well that the band tries to do the same thing twice in a row, but “Alcohol And Cocainemarijuananicotine” is a bridge too far and ventures into being annoying.

The album ends with melodramatic, Serge Gainsbourg-like “I Will Never Stop Loving You.” It features beautiful singing from Blondie’s Debbie Harry.

“ROCKMAKER” is not an album of potential hits, nor is it as a hard-rock record as the band described it in the press. No, it’s a love letter to a life spent making music, wearing skinny jeans, smoking weed … and about trying to do that forever.

Some things have dried out for The Dandies, but not the good times. And, for old fans, that’s enough for them to have kept their promise.

About author

Eduard Banulescu is a writer, blogger, and musician. As a content writer, Eduard has contributed to numerous websites and publications, including FootballCoin, Play2Earn, BeIN Crypto, Business2Community, NapoliSerieA, Extra Time Talk, Nitrogen Sports, Bavarian FootballWorks, etc. He has written a book about Nirvana, hosts a music podcasts, and writes weekly content about some of the best, new and old, alternative musicians. Eduard also runs and acts as editor-in-chief of the alternative rock music website www.alt77.com. Mr. Banulescu is also a musician, having played and recorded in various bands and as a solo artist.
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