Label: Capitol Records

Release Date: May 5, 2003

Website: www.dandywarhols.com

The Dandy Warhols - Welcome to the Monkey House
Dan MacIntosh

The "Monkey House" referred to by The Dandy Warhols in the album title, must be the habitat for that ever-influential Bowie Monkey (as in David Bowie) -- at least based upon the all-too-familiar sounds streaming out of this hip little simian cage. Mr. Bowie only gets writing credit for "I Am Over It," but "I Am Sound" and "The Last High" also sure owe a big debt to that space oddity's musical influence. But despite these obvious rock signposts, and even the unwanted presence of Nick Rhodes (of the worthless Duran Duran) in the producer's chair, cannot spoil this memorably melodic disc. Monkey see. Monkey do. And monkey do well.

Welcome to the Monkey House succeeds primarily because of its strong songs. How can one not dig something as brainy and dry as "Scientist"? On it, Courtney Taylor sings, "I am a scientist/because I can live on science alone" It comprised of an overtly enunciated vocal, over a synth rhythm that sounds a lot like the old Heaven 17. (Does anybody still remember Heaven 17 anymore? They were an offshoot of The Human League. But that's another story, for another review...). "We Used To Be Friends" is just as dryly endearing. It's also a synth-based little number, with deadpan vocal verses and a funky chorus.

Even the tracks that cannot be traced directly back to the former Ziggy Stardust, are great still fun nonetheless. "The Dandy Warhols Love Almost Everyone" reaches way back to the Sixties, for a high-voiced bubblegum rock tune with an elementary school melody. "Rock Bottom," on the other hand, is especially T-Rex-y. Be sure and bang a gong and reminisce about The Power Station, whenever rock the house with this one.

Welcome to the Monkey House will feel just like home to those who also share The Dandy Warhols' 70s/80s record collection. So go bananas, kids.

posted 11.27.03

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Dan is the lifeline to banjo virtuosi everywhere (courtesy of Googlism). E-mail him at dmacinto@elite.com

2003 White Elephant Productions