The Dandy Warhols: Musichead Reviews Odditorium Or Warlords Of Mars

Sydney, AU (EMI MUSIC AUSTRALIA) - The Dandy Warhols are back yet again with the exploratory and experimental Odditorium or Warlords of Mars, and just as the title suggests, The Dandies are finding it hard to put all their eggs in one basket. And with good cause mind you, as they search for and deliver the perfect blend between the laid back and beautifully wandering 13 Tales from Urban Bohemia and the electro/pop/rock of their last album, Welcome to the Monkey House.

The Dandies sound has really come into its own with Odditorium, whether it's a straight out rock and roller like 'Smoke It', or a roving epic prog journey like 'Love Is the New Feel Awful', all the songs retain that quintessential Dandy Warhols vibe that we've come to recognise and love over the years. 'Easy' cruises effortlessly with another of those infamous Rolling Stones flavoured guitar grooves while the catchy and familiar melody of 'Holding Me Up' is completed with some choice trumpet parts.

But between the experimentation and the rock, a Dandy Warhols album wouldn't be quite right if they didn't poke fun at themselves, and that they do with the album opener 'Coldest Than the Coldest Winter Was Cold' which features a radio announcer's voice taking us through the discovery of rock and roll as The Dandy Warhols see it, which sets the mood as a grin sneaks across the listener's face.

Odditorium is, in the best possible sense, a truly kooky affair, with the Dandies still finding the time to throw in a country rocker with a twist with 'The New Country', an eccentric a capella interlude titled 'Did You Make a Song With Otis' before closing the album with 'A Loan Tonight' which pushes the boundaries yet again of what The Dandy Warhols are capable of. As the album draws to a close, the Dandies leave us smiling contentedly to ourselves as we reach the repeat button on the stereo.