Musical Ramblings: It still has Soul
The Dandy Warhols
Earth to the Dandy Warhols
Sometimes I'm blasted by friends because I tout how metal and other bands that I like to listen to (like Porcupine Tree and Rush for example) bring complexity to their music while making it memorable and not the regular three chord garbage (or pop music) that radio stations or video channels promote (for the most part). I get blasted because then I turn around and follow and praise The Dandy Warhols. I think they are one of music's best kept underground secrets.
Why do I get lambasted you ask?
Well, the Dandy's music isn't actually complex to play and they usually repeat structures and choruses way too many times in a song. Some of their songs go on for way too long as well! So why do I like them so much?
It's because of the atmosphere of their music. They take basic song structures and turn them into something more magical than most bands can do with simple chords. Standout tracks (and perhaps some of the best they've ever composed) to sample on this one include “Wasp in the Lotus,” “Talk Radio,” and “Mission Control.”
I'm taking some marks off of the overall score of the disc because I find that they copy their older material way too much in some sections for their songs, some of the tunes once again go on for about two minutes longer than they should and, in classic Dandy fashion, they waste the last 20 minutes or so of their disc with garbage. If you've never heard the band before, I suggest picking up “The Dandy Warhols Come Down” because it's their most straightforward and accessible album.
Essential Listening:
The Beatles
Rubber Soul
Going with the non-metal theme this week, I'd like to share one of my favourite Beatles discs of all time: Rubber Soul.
This disc I discovered when I was around three years old (I was told by that age, I could carefully take our records and work the stereo — yeah, you heard me…RECORDS). I found that the Beatles harmonies and song structures on this disc have given me a lifetime (so far) of enjoyment. I never get bored spinning this one.
There are many classics on this one including “Norwegian Wood This Bird Has Flown),” “Michelle,” “If I Needed Someone,” and “In My Life.” I love this disc and everyone should have a copy.
Earth to the Dandy Warhols
Sometimes I'm blasted by friends because I tout how metal and other bands that I like to listen to (like Porcupine Tree and Rush for example) bring complexity to their music while making it memorable and not the regular three chord garbage (or pop music) that radio stations or video channels promote (for the most part). I get blasted because then I turn around and follow and praise The Dandy Warhols. I think they are one of music's best kept underground secrets.
Why do I get lambasted you ask?
Well, the Dandy's music isn't actually complex to play and they usually repeat structures and choruses way too many times in a song. Some of their songs go on for way too long as well! So why do I like them so much?
It's because of the atmosphere of their music. They take basic song structures and turn them into something more magical than most bands can do with simple chords. Standout tracks (and perhaps some of the best they've ever composed) to sample on this one include “Wasp in the Lotus,” “Talk Radio,” and “Mission Control.”
I'm taking some marks off of the overall score of the disc because I find that they copy their older material way too much in some sections for their songs, some of the tunes once again go on for about two minutes longer than they should and, in classic Dandy fashion, they waste the last 20 minutes or so of their disc with garbage. If you've never heard the band before, I suggest picking up “The Dandy Warhols Come Down” because it's their most straightforward and accessible album.
Essential Listening:
The Beatles
Rubber Soul
Going with the non-metal theme this week, I'd like to share one of my favourite Beatles discs of all time: Rubber Soul.
This disc I discovered when I was around three years old (I was told by that age, I could carefully take our records and work the stereo — yeah, you heard me…RECORDS). I found that the Beatles harmonies and song structures on this disc have given me a lifetime (so far) of enjoyment. I never get bored spinning this one.
There are many classics on this one including “Norwegian Wood This Bird Has Flown),” “Michelle,” “If I Needed Someone,” and “In My Life.” I love this disc and everyone should have a copy.
