The Dandy Warhols, an American alt rock band, actually released Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia in the year 2000. It received critical acclaim, even being dubbed one of the best records of that year. Intended to be the last classic rock album, it follows a similar form: songs leading into one another, a touch of psychedelia, and the obvious association with sex and drugs. It is 13 tracks in length, and the recently released live version was recorded on its 13th anniversary at the Wonder Ballroom in Portland, OR.
The band did not want to overdub itself on the live version to keep it as an authentic recording of their show. Because of this, it sounds like a live record, with some of the details of the composition being missed. Luckily, The Dandy Warhols’ music sometimes sounds purposely fuzzy anyway, especially on the trumpet-y noise rock opener, “Godless.” Unintentionally, “Horse Pills” sounds less like classic rock, and more like that of the late-’90s/early-’00s, with its Weezer-like lyrics and Radiohead guitars.
“Sleep” gets the classic rock vibe right as a glam rock/progressive mix, and fades in and out at the ends. “Cool Scene” features more prominent trumpets, and “Bohemian Like You” is a bouncy rock song bursting with energy. The closer, “The Gospel,” is suggestive of The Wall-era Pink Floyd with its depressing attitude and background “oohs.” All in all, the album was great to begin with, and the live version helps to emphasize the muddiness and sludge of The Dandy Warhols’ music.
In A Word: Striking
