Cake's Dandys Rule OK review
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Cake #35
Dandys Rule O.K.
by Janet Ray
Summer 1995
Their arty New York pun of a name, lo-fi production, and protracted fuzz-infested three chord jams within did not escape ol Agent Ray. No wool over anyone's eyes here; this record screamed Velvet Underground like a Jesus freak on the A Train.
Fortunately, the Dandy's put their unique stamp on the trusty Velvet formula; "(Tony, This Song Is Called) Lou Weed" is the only song that is an overt ripoff (and it is, right down to vocalist Courtnay Taylor's uncanny "Rock and Roll" delivery). While the songs share the Velvet's penchant for anomie, drugs and unrequited love, the '90s have offered them decided advantages in the form of greater stylistic freedom and groovy studio effects. "Ride," suggests the eponymous Manchester band, and in self-conscious irony, the Dandy's even toss a reference to the Cars' classic "Candy-O." "Nothin (Lifestyle of Tortured Artist for Sale)" is a subtly trippy jam that pretty much sums up the horror of trying to make a go as an artist these days. "Just Try" is a mournful accoustic song that breaks down into psychedelia over the thought of failure.
Like the Velvets, this is great "stoner music," chock full of rough-hewn instrumental texture and aimless guitar noodling. My preference of lateis the suite of three at the end entitled "It's a Fast Driving Rave-Up With the Dandy Warhols Sixteen Minutes." It's the artiest two chord jam ever, lasting precisely 16 minutes before an alarm clock jolts you back to Earth. A rude awakening after a blistful dream in which a great classic band comes back, dazzles you for a bit, and then skates back to oblivion.
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