Hoboken, New Jersey, USA - July 22, 2000
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Time Out New York
at Maxwell's
By Marina Zogbi
July 20-27
I never really understood the countless Britpop comparisons regarding this Portland, Oregon band. To these ears, the Warhols' music - especially on 1997's Come Down - bespoke an intense affection for psychedelic '60s rock that was quintessentially American. The Velvet Underground, the Byrds, even the Monkees were all lovingly referenced on that album, whether it was vocalist Courtney Taylor channeling Lou Reed in "Good Morning," the folkish vocal harmonies on "Boys Better" or Zia McCabe's loopy Hammond riffs. Even the catchy "Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth" had a jangly, retro feel. Major irony: Although the band is probably best known for that presumably antidrug song ("Heroin is so passe"), the kaleidoscopic sound of Come Down - a misnomer if ever there was one - practically begs one to get high to it!
On the forthcoming Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia, the band's eclecticism is taken to dizzying new heights, while sleeker production and tighter arrangements make for a less vintage sound. Among the many highlights are the gorgeous, ethereal melodies of "Godless" and "Mohammed," the gnarly country-blues of "Country Leaver," Taylor's snotty rap on the funked-up "Horse Pills," and the frisky "Bohemian Like You," which features a riff that evolves the Stones' "Brown Sugar" and hilariously self-parodying lyrics ("So what do you do?/Oh yea, I wait tables too"). Given Taylor's rock-god looks, this sort of playfulness is especially nice. It's been a while since the Dandy Warhols have played New York, and we can look forward to a show that may or may not include nudity (as some of their previous shows have) but will undoubtedly features an equally psyched band and crowd.
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