You might not know the name 'The Dandy Warhols', and the album 'Thirteen Tales from urban Bohemia' might not mean much to you either, but probably heard one of the singles from the album, namely 'Bohemian Like You'. It's the one that beginning 'You've got a great car…' and was used earlier ... Read review
13 Tales From Urban Bohemia, the third album from the Dandy Warhols, has the band ... more
departing from the degenerate slacker psychedelia of their previous works. Well, mostly. From the first three tracks of Urban Bohemia, you'd be forgiven for thinking that...
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13 Tales From Urban Bohemia, the third album from the Dandy Warhols, has the band ... more
departing from the degenerate slacker psychedelia of their previous works. Well, mostly. From the first three tracks ofUrban Bohemia, you'd be forgiven for thinking that it's business as usual for the Dandys. However, when the slide guitar (and, yes, banjo) of "Country Leaver" kicks in, it's clear that Courtney Taylor is taking his Portland, Oregon-based band somewhere different. From that point, the album changes tack and becomes one of the catchiest--and sardonic--American rock albums in recent memory. "Solid" is all upbeat harmonies about the joy of getting over a previous lover, while "Horse Pills"--which starts with Taylor's deadpan and indifferent command to "kick it"--is all big, fuzzy guitars and hip-hop beats wielded against too-rich, silicon-and-valium-addicted divorcées. Easy targets, to be sure, but it's when the Dandys focus their attention on wannabe artsy types on "Bohemian Like You" that this album truly proves its worth, with a guitar riff lifted straight off of the Rolling Stones, backed by some Hammond organ and one of the catchiest sing-along choruses since Pulp's "Common People". With obvious influences ranging fromLou Reed to the Cult to Adam and the Ants,13 Tales From Urban Bohemiais a classic, and classy, rock album.--Robert Burrow
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Advantages: Versatility Disadvantages: None for me
...their own to each. Thirteen Tales is a great example of this, with anything and everything thrown into the melting pot to produce an album that crosses many genres and creates many moods.
Track List:
1. GODLESS
An eerie wall of sound slowly builds and is then overlayed by a rather cheerful trumpet and mid-tempo strumming guitar. Courtenay Taylor Taylor (yes, that is his name) then comes in with a soft, ... ...manage to cross so many genres and take obvious inspiration from others without sounding derivative is actually a huge compliment and inspires you by turns.
Thirteen different tales told in thirteen different musical styles, and every one worth telling.
You might not know the name 'The Dandy Warhols', and the album 'Thirteen Tales from urban Bohemia' might not mean much to you either, but probably heard one of the singles from the album, namely 'Bohemian Like You'. It's the one that beginning 'You've got a great car…' and was used earlier this year for an advert for something or other that always seemed to be on TV.
The Dandy Warhols are an American quartet who hail from Portland, Oregon, and were formed in 1994. Their first album was 'Dandy's Rule OK', their second 'The Dandy Warhols Come on Down', from which came the single 'Not if You Were the Last Junkie on Earth', played half to death at the time by MTV.
It was not until 'Thirteen Tales' was released in 2000, though, and was voted by Q magazine as one of the best albums of the year, that their fame really grew.
One of the key things about the DWs is their versatility. Ultimately an indie band, throughout their career they have embraced many musical styles, but always managed to add a unique touch of their own to each. Thirteen Tales is a great example of this, with anything and everything thrown into the melting pot to produce an album that crosses many genres and creates many moods.
Track List:
1. GODLESS
An eerie wall of sound slowly builds and is then overlayed by a rather cheerful trumpet and mid-tempo strumming guitar. Courtenay Taylor Taylor (yes, that is his name) then comes in with a soft, melodic vocal. In the middle there's an almost wild-west sounding slowdown before it all kicks off again. It's a very catchy song and the combination of faintly depressing lyrics with uplifting guitar, trumpet and tambourine is very effective. One of the best tracks on the album for me: melodic, atmospheric and an end that moves seamlessly into track number two.
2. MOHAMMED
A quiet starter, this builds to a mantra-like float. TTs voice is high and quiet here, lyrics are sparse, and the guitar reminds me a little of the Doors. It has a very psychedelic feel and makes me think of opium dens (not that I've ever been in one), hash pipes and far-off places. Very, very atmospheric indeed.
3. NIETZSCHE
A much harsher sound. It starts with a Nirvanaish guitar, piles on some relentless keyboards and makes you shake your head hard. Instruments whoosh, wail and chug beneath a repetitive vocal that pulls you right in. Hypnotic.
4. COUNTRY LEAVER
Now to my least favourite track on the album (though I do like it). Country Leaver is a pure country and western number accompanied by happy clapping. TTs voice is deep and twangy, as is the slide guitar. Lyrics are wry, slightly mental and upbeat, telling a tale of backpacking around, and the whole thing is quite infectious.
5. SOLID
A brilliant track, reminiscent of the Velvet Underground and Iggy Pop but, as always, with the DWs own unique touch. This one is uptempo, guitar-driven and whistling. Lyrics are witty, knowing and sung in a drawl.
6. HORSE PILLS
Heavy guitars, interference and a very strong sound. It's about a gigolo and is sung in a sneering but sexy drawl. Another one to bang your head to.
7. GET OFF
This one was a single and is very uptempo. It's quite boingy (can't think of a better word) and utterly catchy. Jangly guitars, layered vocals and good harmonies. Makes you want to jump around the room.
8. SLEEP
The first slow one of the album. It opens with a sparse, melodic guitar and has a very dreamy feel. It's the kind of simple track you can really get lost in, with a lovely light vocal which sometimes verges on the angelic. Lyrics are again repetitive and as TT intones 'if I could sleep forever' you feel the song lulling you into doing just that.
9. COOL SCENE
The trumpet re-emerges for this track which is once again uptempo. Here TT takes a lyrical trip back to high school and the music makes you think of driving around in a Buick or some such contraption on a sunny day.
10. BOHEMIAN LIKE YOU
The one from the advert, BLY begins with a drum and guitar that brings the Stones to mind, then goes off on its own course to be a relentlessly upbeat, happy, loud song all about being young and fancying someone. Great to drive to, sing along to and cheer you up.
11. SHAKIN
We're back in Iggy territory here voice-wise, and musically we're moving towards Blur. It's mid-tempo, boingy (that word again) and totally utterly indie.
12. BIG INDIAN
This one slows the pace again, but not too much. The guitar brings to mind some Neil Young, but the keyboards accompanying it steer it in another direction altogether. TTs voice is more emotive than usual and it's all about feeling fine.
13. THE GOSPEL
The final song really slows the pace down with lingering slide guitars, choral backing vocals and a drawling but quiet lead vocal. It’s sort of countrified, sort of drunk, and sort of 'Swing Low Sweet Chariot'. It's nuts, but it's lovely.
OVERALL:
If this review has been full of name-dropping and comparisons with other musicians, that is not a criticism. It's just very hard to describe the Dandy Warhols without mentioning the wide range of influences that come into their work. And the fact that they manage to cross so many genres and take obvious inspiration from others without sounding derivative is actually a huge compliment and inspires you by turns.
Thirteen different tales told in thirteen different musical styles, and every one worth telling.
sandrabarber 06.11.2002 (06.11.2002)
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Review of Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia - Dandy Warhols (The)
Advantages: One of America's best exports Disadvantages: Not enough people know about them
...taken his inspiration for these thirteen songs from a variety of different lifestyles, careers and backgrounds.
Th opening track is “Godless” and begins by building up a huge wall of sound before Courtney launches into the song. Strangely his voice seems reasonably quiet but as with most of his songs it’s really catchy. The use of a trumpet makes this song stand out from the majority of material released by today’s indie bands . The end of this ... ...album title states this is thirteen tales, and this is the tale of the country bumpkin backpacking around Europe.
Next up is “Solid” and this is very reminiscent of their previous album “Come Down”, as it has a feel of the Beach Boys about it. “Solid” is a really jolly tune and can best be described as jangly guitar pop. Once again after this the music returns to their heavier rock side.
For me the best song on this album is “Horse Pills”. It is ...
scruff 05.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia - Dandy Warhols (The)
Advantages: Like The Wind In Your Hair On A Sunny Day. Disadvantages: At Times A Little Reliant On Their Influences.
Quite how Courtney Taylor and his ragged bunch of mates motivated themselves to deliver this album is one of life's sweet mysteries. I guess the potential highlighted by 'Everyday Is A Holiday' and 'Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth' was enough to prove that something big was on the way. And TTFUB is music given a big canvas. Intense melody, intricate invention and a joyful plundering of the past come together to reward anybody willing to ... ...Portland, Oregon and this their third album was released back in the summer of 2000. Like Moby's 'Play' the album lay unnoticed until a succession of singles and an advert for a mobile phone company brought it to the world's attention. The Dandy's have long relied on a British influence to cook their ditties but TTFUB sees them looking beyond the obvious. Perhaps this and a more studied approach to songwriting makes this album such a wonderful way ...
indiecater 14.12.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia - Dandy Warhols (The)
Advantages: Its great Disadvantages: You might not like it
Most people listening to the Dandy Warhols probably would have heard 'Come Down'. Therefore, this is likely to turn into a comparison study. A lot of the songs are at least vaguely reminiscent of 'Come Down'.
'Thirteen Tales...' begins with an acoustic guitar wall of sound, characteristic of the Dandy Warhols, and their habits of using the same chords throughout a song, and similarly through the album. However, 'Godless', the first track, is very ... ...At some points a trumpet takes
over, reminding me of background music in Mc Donalds! Yet it is bold enough to be effective. 'Godless' transmogrifies into a particularly alive song, 'Mohammed', whose layered up sound creates a fantastic ambience and acts as a kind of mix and a foreteller of the tracks to come on the album. There are definite signs of 'Come Down' in this, but that can also be explained as the Dandy's ise of simple melodies and chord ...
hulahoop 03.04.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia - Dandy Warhols (The)
Advantages: Good mixture of songs, chilled. Disadvantages: Not long enough!
A little different from the Dandies previous stuff. This is far more commercial. I mean, look at the single Bohemian Like You, its the perfect guitar pop song. Not that I dont love it and it is probably the best song on the album. The rest of the album is very unlike the single, though, so if your expecting an All-american indie extravaganza, think again. The Dandies sucessfully mix indie and country with effortless style. The Album is incredibly ... ...grinding music, fantastically funny and dirty lyrics, and Courtney Taylors sexy-sleazy voice. Sleep (as the title might suggest) and Big Indian are both laid-back, beautiful tracks, and country leaver and the gospel are pure country (however the gospel is the bad point in the album. Albeit the only one). Shakin on the other hand is a prefect sexy-dance song! Basically, if your open to a wide range of music, then you'll just love the album. If your ...
wicked_witch 11.02.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia - Dandy Warhols (The)
Advantages: Catchy tunes, better than last album Disadvantages: Not enough tales
After the Dandy Warhols last album Come Down, they certainly haven't done that. Instead their album 13 Tales From Urban Bohemia is actually a vast improvement. This is an album which although sounds like the Dandy Warhols, is actually a more poppy version of them. This is a mixture of guitar based pop and guitar based rock. Songs like 'Bohemian Like You' are bouncy and fun and you just want to sing along, the intro on this song has recently been ... ...Sometimes however its hard to figure out what they are singing as at times they sound like they are high on dope, and other times rat-arsed on drink...especially when Courtney (the lead) sings. This does not mean to say this is a drug induced album - although the title of one track 'Horse Sized Pill' would suggest so. 13 Tales From Urban Bohemia takes you on a journey from India to American civilisation. It questions religion, friendships, culture ...
mandymoo 06.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia - Dandy Warhols (The)
Product Information for "Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia - Dandy Warhols (The)" »
Product details
Title
Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia
Performer
Dandy Warhols (The)
Genre
Rock & Pop
Sub Genre
Alternative
Release Date
05/11/2001
Recomended Retail Price
14.99 GBP
Original Release Year
2000
Label / Distributor
Capitol / EMI Operations/CEVA Logistics
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
724385778728
Catalogue Number
8577872
Additional notes
Album Notes
Initial pressings included a limited edition bonus disc featuring rare B-sides and live tracks. The Dandy Warhols: Courtney Taylor-Taylor (vocals, guitar); Pete Holmstrom (guitar); Zia McCabe (keyboards, bass); Brent DeBoer (drums). Additional personnel: Anton Newcombe (guitar, strings); Troy Stewart (slide guitar); Kevin Ritchie (banjo); Eric Matthews, Vince di Fiore (trumpet); Joe Kaczmarek, Erik Gavriluk (organ); Phil Baker (upright bass); DJ Swamp (scratches); Meg Bobbitt (background vocals). Producers: Courtney Taylor-Taylor, Gregg Williams, Sardy, Clark Styles. For their third album, everyone's favorite Portland quartet asks you to break out the bong as they continue down the same woozy musical paths trod by Primal Scream and The Velvet Underground. Fronted by the always-insouciant Courtney Taylor, the Dandy Warhols mine a fertile vein of dream pop that includes forays into atmospheric country twang ("The Gospel"), Jesus & Mary Chain-like shoe-gazing ("Horse Pills"), and psychedelia with both Middle Eastern ("Mohammed") and Burt Bacharach-like ("Godless") touches. Proving that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, this very American band manage to sound like Squeeze ("Get Off"), Elastica ("Shakin'"), and Jonathan Richman fronting Blur following a few too many pulls on a hookah ("Solid"). The one time where the band manage to emulate themselves is on the driving "Bohemian Like You," a number that serves as a follow-up to 1997's "Not If You Were the Last Junkie on Earth." Throughout THIRTEEN, any sleepy sounding fuzz guitar or laid-back presentations are superseded by the unmistakable pop chops of the Dandy Warhols.
Album Reviews
Q (1/01, p.91) - Included in Q's "50 Best Albums of 2000". NME (12/30/00, p.78) - Ranked #29 in NME's "Top 50 Albums Of The Year". Rolling Stone (8/31/00, p.74) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A departure for [the band]....they've replaced their dreamy tones with more diverse atmospherics....covering more abrasive, Velvet Underground-lined terrain..." Q (8/00, p.97) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...A truly impressive journey that calls on Kevin Ayers, The Rolling Stones and US grunge as well as their original influences [The Velvet Underground and T.Rex]....this sets out their stall magnificently." Mojo (7/00, p.101) - "...Plain peachy-keen....A stoner's paradise from start to finish. Most pleasurable." Uncut (8/00, p.89) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Their ideals are based on the late Sixties/early Seventies cusp, with specific references to Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead....A fuzzed-up, country-psychedelic romp..." Entertainment Weekly (8/4/00, p.86) - "...Effortlessly slack. Lethargic space rock, rock-steady retro riffs, and country-blues bop coexist peaceably in [their] vaguely nonconformist cityscape..." - Rating: B Melody Maker (6/20/00, p.60) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Pretty damn pleasurable....a big strummin' rock record, half tunes and half tomfoolery..." NME (6/10/00, p.39) - 7 out of 10 - "...A pretty good album....they're terrific....[their] music is good enough to override any irritation you might have with their [b.s.]..." CMJ (6/19/00, p.3) - "...With its stylistic variety...[it's] more like 4 or 5 records in one....you've got a garden of pop in which something grows for everyone."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Godless
2.
Mohammed
3.
Nietzsche
4.
Country Leaver
5.
Solid
6.
Horse Pills
7.
Get Off
8.
Sleep
9.
Cool Scene
10.
Bohemian Like You
11.
Shakin'
12.
Big Indian
13.
Gospel
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Listed on Ciao since
28/07/2000
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