Album Review: The Dandy Warhols, Rockmaker

Born from an urge to worship at the altar of The Riff and re-embrace rock in the wake of their three-and-a-half-hour 2020 album, Tafelmusik Means More When You’re Alone, The Dandy Warhols’ 12th LP is a lean, sometimes means listen that bends a knee to the likes of Iggy Pop. Littered with guest stars, including Slash, Black Francis and Debbie Harry, Rockmaker is a playful and powerful effort that sees the Dandys kick out the jams in their own inimitable way.

Calling to mind Queens Of The Stone Age’s throbbing beast Era Vulgaris, Courtney Taylor-Taylor and Co. indulge their inner musical magpies and purloin from punk, metal and dance for this exciting new chapter in their 30-year career. While Hot Press would’ve loved to have seen them really push the noisy side of ‘Danzig With Myself’ and turn those amps up to 11, it’s still an enjoyable romp that fans of Dudesblood-era Dan Sartain and the aforementioned Stooges frontman will love.

The dance-driven ‘Alcohol And Cocainemarijuananicotine’ is a fun spiritual heir to QOTSA’s ‘Feel Good Hit Of The Summer’, while Debbie Harry’s miraculous vocals on ‘I Will Never Stop Loving You’ lift the song to the stars.

Brimming with hooks and humour, Rockmaker is a riot.

7/10