The Dandy Warhols new release Distortland is a trippy foray into pop that should not only garner new fans but also satisfy their long term fans as well. The band has been putting out great records for 22 years now and this is their ninth release. The band continues to hone their sound and have put out some of their best psychedelic rock to date with songs like the opener "Search Party" that layers a sonic soundscape over a steady guitar riff. The second cut "Semper Fidelis" is a heavy electronic dance tune that reminds me of some of the earlier work done by Killing Joke although not as frenetic, the song meanders over a intensely heavy keyboard line. Other songs like "Pope Reverend Jim", "Catcher In The Rye" and "Give" are more of what I expect from the Dandy's being closer to the laid back pop sensibilities similar to their earlier minor hit "Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth". The track "STYGGO" also puts their ability to craft trippy pop songs that make you want to dance, this one lyrically complete with a Tommy James and The Shondells reference "Crimson and clover are taking on over". One of the things that I enjoy and what makes this band interesting is the fact that just about everyone in the band play guitar and keys, they don't rely heavily on the bass or drums but use them effectively throughout. This musical assault from multiple angles and levels help shape the records personality and is what makes the Warhols sound and legacy what it is. "You Are Killing Me" begins with a crunchy guitar riff front and center laying down the essence of the song, building slowly with keys and drums, this is the song you will be hearing on College radio this summer. Other tunes like "All The Girls In London", "Doves" and "The Grow Up Song" are all welcome additions to an already impressive musical back catalog, overall the entire record scores big in that each song fits the Warhols like a glove and they wear it proudly. Some may be disappointed with the lack of experimentation here but I say leave that to others and keep going with what works.
