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THE DANDY WARHOLS Welcome to the Monkey House "Fame comes in many assorted flavours. Whether it be through artistic credibility, boy-band-beauty, or a tune in a movie than launches a career. For The Dandy Warhols it was that TV ad which featured the poptastic "Bohemian Like You" that made them become a household commodity, even if it took a more dedicated approach to find out who actually created the tune. The fact that the wonderful 'Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia' album had a glob of equally fine tunes on it, or that the band had already put out two tip-top albums before that was largely missed. Naturally it would make sense to build on that Bohemian fame with an album that sounds like a myriad new versions of the advertisement. So they haven't. That last album was brash, sparky, concise and fabulous. This one is more long haired and rambling. Which is rather akin to the Portland, Oregon foursome anyway. Not to say that there aren't oodles of pop ditties here (there are) but this monkey house is a much more casual affair. Fair enough. Primates are not best known for sartorial elegance. The "We Used To be Friends" single sums up the lolloping, catchy, but laid-back fun that this one is all about. And yes, they do still have their sense of fun - an unzipped banana can hardly be taken seriously after all. "Plan A" is lazy psychedelia with vocals by Sting. OK not, but uncannily like Mr Sumner in a dingy basement. In fact it is Simon LeBon who adds backing vocals. Yes, the Duran Duran bloke. "The Dope" is chuggingly fantastic, with vocals taking a back seat to a hypnotic yet simple bassline. A similar feel on "I Am A Scientist", but with a more complex 80’s breakbeat. Not surprising as it has funky guitar input from Chic impresario Nile Rogers, and samples David Bowie. The 80’s connections don’t end there as album production credits include Tony Visconti (Bowie’s main man) and a certain Nick Rhodes also last seen with a dodgy haircut in Duran Duran. Back to the chugging on "I Am Over It". Good chugging though. There are various echoes to "Bohemian Like You", like on "The Dandy Warhols Love Almost Everyone" but this CD has surprises too. "Insincere Because I" manages to be Enya-esque - and surprisingly non-chugging. No really. There’s a sort of easy, how shall I say, 'chugging' sound on "You Were The Last High", and a great track to boot. Maybe the best of the set, and co-written by Mr Lemonhead himself Evan Dando. "You Come In Burned" manages to be more experimental, and plods along for a very pleasant 7 minutes or so. OK, low-key chugging if you insist. They have perpetuated a very friendly, familiar, yet somehow international sound. Not US nu-rawk nor UK Brit-pop. The past lush soundscapes and strong guitar work of before have melded into something more homogenous. Less guitars, more keyboards. The edges are rounder, and main man Courtney Taylor-Taylor seems happier not to have to prove himself to the world anymore. 'Welcome To The Monkey House' is a fine and thoroughly enjoyable album - which chugs along better than most. Just make sure that you have your copy of 'Thirteen Tales Of Urban Bohemia' too." ****************
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