Have The Dandy Warhols ever produced a bad album? I can’t think of one. Live, the band are also up there with the very best and the last time I saw them perform, I bought two albums from their stand after the show.

WELCOME TO THE MONKEY HOUSE represents the band on good but not special recording form and is of course full of the band’s usual innovative, and sometimes quirky touches. Title track, Welcome To The Monkey House opens the show and almost immediately deftly melts into the second track, We Used To Be Friends, almost without one realising it. This funky, highly melodic track with typical choruses and harmonies is the band on their best writing and performing form. It’s the sort of song that that you will find yourself singing on automatic pilot. Plan A takes on a more jazzy, dance floor persona as it tumbles along with a distant vocal - not typical band fodder but interesting. The Dope is instrument-dominated and takes a while for the vocal to show. It’s another acid dance floor number but this time lacks any real distinction or hook.

I Am A Scientist gives a different and jagged rock slant on the dance genre as it powers along. The trick is repeated with I Am Over It before coming back to base with The Dandy Warhols Love Almost Everyone. I’m then trapped with the beautiful, spiritual and immaculate pop tones of Insincere Because I. Track ten, Heavenly, is a bit of experimentation that works because it has a melodic hook and strong traces of trad Warhols.

WELCOME TO THE MONKEY HOUSE is a very mixed affair with moments of vintage Warhols and experimentation that doesn’t quite come off. I’m not sure either whether the strong dance vibe in several of the songs matches the band’s strengths. Ultimately, I was disappointed and hope that the next album produces more consistency - while I contunue to listen to past masterpieces.

3/5