Devilmedia's Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia review
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devilmedia.com
Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia
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With Thirteen Tales, the Dandy Warhols have elevated their musical bohemia to a glorious, messy work of modern art. Eclecticism is an understatement, as the album shifts from the dreamy Yo La Tengo inspired opening trio of "Godless," "Mohammed," and "Nietzsche" (the juxtaposition of the titles is brilliant!). To the blurry-eyed country ballads "Country Leaver" and "Big Indian;" the sleaze rock of "Horse Pills," and "Solid" (complete with record scratches and samples just to further mix things up); the drug haze of "Sleep;" and closes with "The Gospel" which cribs "Swing Low Sweet Chariot." Despite the genre shifts, the Dandys never lose focus or allow themselves to be buried under the influences. The fantastic single "Bohemian Like You" is pure late 60's Stones, while "Shakin'" features singer Courtney Taylor doing a killer Iggy Pop impression. Still, these songs are definitely their own and the album miraculously works as a cohesive whole. In an age when artists seem determined to either completely ignore or utterly drown in their influences, it's refreshing to hear someone turn those influences upside down and create something completely fresh. Maybe we could all use a little more bohemia in our lives.
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