San Francisco, California, USA

San Francisco, California, USA - August 3, 2000

San Francisco Examiner
at The Great American Music Hall
By -
July 31, 2000
Cementing the deal that Portland is the hippest city anywhere, the city's finest export, Dandy Warhols, have put out this year's hippest album - an unpretentious, but uber-cool, slice of jangling neo-psychedelia that's as heavy on attitude as it is on hooks. Listening to its 13 tracks is like riding a rocket to the past; the Warhols cover several decades of influence, between Cars-era new wave and grunge-era Nirvana - which ultimately adds up to their own suave buzz-bomb of a mix. Throw in a devotion to Carnaby Street mod fashion and a penchant for debauched rock-star living - all of which makes them oh so MTV-ready - an addictive hit single (the early-Stones-ish "Bohemian Like You"), and you have the potential breakout band of the year.
Singer/soon-to-be-icon Courtney Taylor-Taylor (who enigmatically added another Taylor since the Dandy's last album, 1997's "Dandy Warhols Come Down") has an unnervingly smooth, deep baritone reminiscent of Iggy Pop, which he puts to good use in "Cool Scene," a finger-snapping groove, and "Shakin'," a sexy, stoner rave-up. Their show on Thursday at Great American Music Hall (sold out for weeks) promises to be a scene indeed. Wear your wrap-around shades and turtleneck.