THE DANDY WARHOLS
Rockmaker (Sunset Boulevard)
Packed with high-profile features and drenched in fuzz, The Dandy Warhols’ pearl anniversary offering, Rockmaker, leans into moody, industrial-tinged rock in a move away from the experimental delirium of their last album, 2020’s Tafelmuzik Means More When You’re Alone. Boasting polished production at the hands of Keith Tenniswood and Jagz Kooner, the band pays homage to their three-decade legacy by drawing from a generous well of 90s cheekiness.
A largely unexceptional instalment, Rockmaker is peppered with only the occasional memorable hook: satiating moments include cleverly-titled lead single Danzig With Myself and the dark, driving charge of The Summer Of Hate. Courtney Taylor-Taylor and Peter Holmström provide toothsome guitarwork over subdued and sensual tempos.
However, contrary to its sincere and concrete instrumentation, the album’s lyrical output straddles the margins of an incongruous silliness. It’s hard to tell if this release wants to take itself seriously, but for those firmly in the Dandy Warhols’ fold, it may be a welcome measure of star-studded nostalgia.
words CJ WAGSTAFF
