Odditorium Or Warlords Of Mars Review From Crazewire
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Crazewire
by Chad Beck
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Starting off an album with a one-minute long spoken introduction – rife with apparent inside jokes – is not a good idea. Perhaps it may seem like a good idea in a drug-induced haze, but the reality is far from entertaining. Odditorium Or Warlords Of Mars, the Dandys somewhat confusing follow-up to Welcome To The Monkeyhouse, begins in such a way, leaving the listener itching for some real music…an actual song.
Unfortunately, The Dandy Warhols follow the intro with a nine-minute, thirty-six second track – which does little to grab one’s attention. "Love Is The New Feel Awful" isn’t a terrible song, but it’s dreamy, mid-tempo vibe wear thin long before the songs nearly ten-minute conclusion. Even worse, this lengthy track is followed by another epic, the seven-and-a-half minute "Easy." Unlike the lackluster "Feel Awful," "Easy" is partially entertaining – including a danceable rhythm and a dynamic conclusion replete with horns. Still, with such excessive tracks stacked at the beginning of the record, it’s difficult for the Dandy’s to pick up the energy and do what they are best at: concise pop songs.
Thankfully, Odditorium does include a handful of characteristically sweet and urbane tunes more characteristic of the Warhols. "All The Money Or The Simple Life Honey" especially shines, including leader Courtney Taylor Taylor’s signature whelp and pomp in his vocal delivery. The song also deftly includes well-arranged horns and some kickass harmony on the chorus, rounding out the tune in tasty fashion. Likewise, "Everyone Is Totally Insane" and "Smoke It" reverberate with a calculated cool that seems to be this act’s likable formula. Regrettably, the few tunes worth repeating aren’t enough to make Odditorium worth the effort.
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