The Dandy Warhols return with one of their more inspired and diverse records in recent years. 2012’s This Machine was a similarly solid offering, although mired by its lyrical focus on ageing gracefully as a band. It’s not a taboo topic, of course, but the frequent references made it feel that way. The results were sometimes endearing, sometimes shaky, but it was ultimately a little too conspicuous across the whole record.
With Distortland the group have really hit their post-Capitol Records stride. They’ve confined the “I’m too old for this shit” sentiment to one song, and are evidently having fun with the rest of the album.
Search Party opens the record with a droning jam that lulls just a little, but is sonically stimulating nonetheless. The record picks up pace with Catcher in The Rye. It’s a lovely pop song, evocative of the same Americana charm that permeated their early noughties repertoire. Elsewhere there’s bongos, bowed guitar, hand claps, great choruses (especially in Give)and plenty of tongue in cheek.
BY NICHOLAS JOHNSON
