After downloading the first track 'The World Come On' I feared the album would be filled with Courtney's falsetto and fortunately I was wrong. Even though you can't understand a word he sings except for the chorus the song catchy party starter. Forming a new label wasn't a bad idea at all because the band sounds refreshed and more exciting when they can have control over their comfort zone. They still play a mixture of styles like on their last album but it sounds more focused and for the most part they kept things shorter and accessible.
'The World Come On'-'Mission Control'-'Welcome To The Third World' are arguably the best punch since
Thirteen Tales' openers. They sound very different, 'Mission Control' being a short, lovely track with a futuristic sound the entire album boasts. 'Welcome To The Third World' is a Rolling Stones-like song that you might be playing at your party while hitting on girls. Such naked truths like ''You lips they sure do match my wallet'' and ''The boys like the girls and the girls like the money'' are quite obvious but somehow they fit within the context. Maybe this is what The Dandys are all about here : criticizing and mocking the ugly world we're living in on funky tunes.
The hazy 'Wasp In A Lotus' and the brilliant 'And Then I Dreamt Of Yes' bring some moments of regret in frontman's Courtney Taylor-Taylor's voice. Unfortunately, he fails to realize something deep and beautiful by leaving the lyrics at a minimal, blurred status. The latter sounds as good as 'You Were The Last High' but falls a bit flat when repeating the same verses.
The album comes back to life when stepping out of the hangover tracks with another string of party rockers like 'Now You Love Me', 'The Legend Of The Last Of The Outlaw Truckers' or 'Mis Amigos'. The first two share cool country leanings. Poppy sing alongs and smug voice tones are classic Dandys. Also, 'Valerie Yum' takes things to another level with repeated choruses louder and louder. They still have some issues with trimming the excess, but it fares a lot better than their previous effort, Odditorium.
Embarking the independence ship is quite a journey, but at least now The Dandy Warhols are free to do whatever they want with their music.
Earth To The Dandy Warhols is a step in the right direction that shows they aren't ready to call it quits yet. Creating another mixture of their previous offerings, they are maintaining their career on a pretty high standard. A must listen to any fan of the band and neo-psychedelic rock fan.
