Album Review: Dandy Warhols, Why You So Crazy

Trigger warning. Those of you possibly offended by pretentiousness may choose not to read the following paragraphs. I've always wanted to use the words 'louche insouciance' in a review and now's my chance. Thanks to The Dandy Warhols my pretentions are given legitimacy - for they are the epitome and embodiment of those words.

To celebrate 25 years in existence, the band are unleashing their tenth studio album. Why You So Crazy is a lo-fi affair, recorded presumably at their personal playpen/studio/venue, the Odditorium. Saturated with synths and oddball future-retro stylings, it's evocative of an alternate universe where the Moog was invented by Leo Fender, and Wanda Jackson fronts the Human League. From the electro-country of 'Sins Are Forgiven' through the synthabilly of 'Highlife' and 'Motor City Steel', there's a distinctly sci-fi cracker-barrel feel.

We're closer to their original signature sound, at least the one that defined their breakthrough album 13 Tales From Urban Bohemia, on 'Be Alright'. With its driving momentum, thumbtack piano and cooler-than-thou vocal, this is vintage Dandies. In a similar vein, we get the mildly disparaging 'Small Town Girls', which bears the sticky fingerprints of Iggy Pop all over it. Rounding off proceedings nicely we have 'Ondine', an instrumental played, I'm guessing, by keyboardist Zia McCabe. It's an effortless channeling of Mike Garson's avant noodlings, and another highlight on this impressive effort.