The Dandy Warhols: This Machine

The Dandy Warhols
This Machine
The End Records [2012]









 Fire Note Says: The Dandy Warhols make a return after four years with This Machine.

Album Review:
I don't think anyone will argue that The Dandy Warhols last several efforts have been eclectic listens and to be honest This Machine also probably falls into that description. It is a record that will take multiple spins to get into (even for fans) and a record that will split critics down the middle. I believe this is what The Dandy Warhols have done most of their career.

This Machine represents the Dandy's eighth or tenth full length studio record depending if you count shelved albums or not but it is their first in 4 years. The album starts off with the cool grooving of "Sad Vacation" which features lead singer Courtney Taylor-Taylor singing in a more hushed tone as the beats hit at the same level. It is a song that establishes This Machine's legitimacy as the Dandy Warhol groove continues on "The Autumn Carnival" which hits you once again with the laid back Taylor-Taylor vocals and several angular guitar riffs that make the song memorable. This Machine is definitely not an early Dandy Warhols record that more obviously relied on big hooks but it still has moments that relate back to those times.

The goofy and fun "Enjoy Yourself" is evidence that Courtney is starting to look into the rear view mirror a bit as to what the Dandy Warhols used to be as he sings about knowing those days are gone. It is great to hear that his humor is still in tact but also it is a very humanizing song that makes everyone that was a fan back then also realize it is not 1997 anymore. I can respect that line of thinking because of their veteran status but the band also still looks ahead here as The Dandy Warhols bring some new things to the table. Unfortunately, those very new branches on This Machine actually hurt its overall cohesiveness. The spacey instrumental track "Alternative Power To The People" is a surprising addition at number four in the tracklist and it does not necessarily work in their favor while the band covering the Merle Travis song "16 Tons" seems unneeded.

Weirdly enough, the dark ballad "Well They're Gone" works well as it has such a slow burning tone that the song sucks you in while tracks like "I Am Free" and "Seti Vs. The Wow! Signal" are the closest thing on the record to some early Dandy material with their bounce, sharp wordplay and hooks. Overall, This Machine is not a bad effort but it also does not have enough edge to bring new fans to the table. It also does not have that one big stand out track that the Dandy's usually provide but it still satisfies with repeat listens. Longtime fans will still like This Machine but it probably is not entirely the record they wanted to hear as I think The Dandy Warhols have more to offer that embraces their past while still moving into the future!

Key Tracks: "The Autumn Carnival", "Well They're Gone", "I Am Free"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Velvet Underground
Damon Albarn
The Modern Lovers

The Dandy Warhols: Best Of The Capitol Years 1995-2007 [Fire Note Review 8/2/10]
The Dandy Warhols: Earth To The Dandy Warhols [Fire Note Review 8/18/08]

The Dandy Warhols Website
The Dandy Warhols Facebook
The End Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony