Eclectic Creation

This Machine is the Dandy Warhol’s eighth album. It was mixed in the U.K. by Tchad Blake, who is well known for his work with the Black Keys. This Machine includes many different music styles including alternative/indie rock, pop, experimental, & good old rock ‘n’ roll.

Several different influences come to mind when listening to the vocals on This Machine such as the Horrors (in “Sad Vacation”), Crash Test Dummies (in “Rest Your Head”), Iggy Pop (in “Enjoy Yourself”), and the Stone Roses (in “The Autumn Carnival” & “Slide.”). Heavy on guitar with some added distortion sound effects clearly showcases the band’s talent. The songs “Alternative Power To The People” and “SETI vs. The Wow Signal” are a couple examples of this. The Dandy’s get a little political with their cover of the song “16 Tons”, a brash & boozy version of the Merle Travis folk song. This song stands out with its atypical sound; it is slightly jazzy with a lounge bar type feel to it.

Overall this album has some catchy well done songs, and some sounds you wouldn’t expect to hear on it, like psychedelia, jazz, rock, & pop. This is a good listen for longtime fans, and anyone who likes guitar-driven alternative rock. The songs are eclectic, and there’s a slightly darker sound for them, when compared to earlier albums.