Rockmaker is the twelfth studio album by American alternative rock band the Dandy Warhols, released through Sunset Blvd Records and Beat the World on March 15, 2024. It marks their return to rock music after the over three-hour-long experimental album Tafelmuzik Means More When You're Alone (2020). The album includes guest appearances from Frank Black, Slash, and Debbie Harry. It received positive reviews from critics.
| Rockmaker | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 15, 2024 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | Alternative rock[1] | |||
| Length | 41:17 | |||
| Label |
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| Producer | ||||
| The Dandy Warhols chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Rockmaker | ||||
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Critical reception
edit| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 69/100[2] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Clash | 7/10[3] |
| MusicOMH |   [4] |
| Sputnikmusic | 3.4/5[5] |
| Uncut | 7/10[6] |
ROCKMAKER currently has a score of 69 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on six critics' reviews, indicating a "generally favorable" reception.[2] Uncut commented that "ROCKMAKER's rude vigour and bounty of hooks will reassure the faithful, as should the ample supply of snark from Courtney Taylor-Taylor".[6] Reviewing the album for Clash, Susan Hansen wrote that the album "does not dishearten. ROCKMAKER is heavy yet melodic, making use of wah-wah guitar pedalling and overriding fuzz, a mind unwaveringly set on hippy psych".[3]
Raul Stanciu of Sputnikmusic felt that ROCKMAKER "breathes new life into the machine. Somehow it feels like a cold shower, displaying a considerable dose of cynicism amid meatier hooks" and that the band "seemed more eager to develop the songs rather than creating a mood with minimal contributions and letting it brood".[5] John Murphy of MusicOMH remarked that "while there are no big surprises [...] most of the tracks on the album are as instantly addictive as in their heyday", concluding that "although they may never re-create their '90s heyday, still know how to rock with the best of them".[4]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Doomsday Bells" | 3:08 | |
| 2. | "Danzig with Myself" (featuring Black Francis) | Taylor-Taylor | 3:55 |
| 3. | "Teutonic Wine" | Taylor-Taylor | 3:16 |
| 4. | "The Summer of Hate" |
| 3:18 |
| 5. | "I'd Like to Help You with Your Problem" (featuring Slash) |
| 4:18 |
| 6. | "The Cross" |
| 3:44 |
| 7. | "Root of All Evil" |
| 3:49 |
| 8. | "Alcohol and Cocainemarijuananicotine" |
| 4:05 |
| 9. | "Love Thyself" |
| 3:06 |
| 10. | "Real People" |
| 2:52 |
| 11. | "I Will Never Stop Loving You" (featuring Debbie Harry) |
| 5:45 |
| Total length: | 41:17 | ||
Personnel
editThe Dandy Warhols
- Courtney Taylor-Taylor – performance, production, cover design
- Peter Holmström – performance, production, engineering
- Zia McCabe – performance
- Brent DeBoer – performance
Additional musicians
- Black Francis – additional guitar on "Danzig with Myself" and "Love Thyself"
- Gina Noelle – additional vocals on "The Summer of Hate"
- James Mercer – backing vocals on "I'd Like to Help You with Your Problem"
- Slash – additional guitar on "I'd Like to Help You with Your Problem"
- Pat Spurgeon – drums on "Alcohol and Cocainemarijuananicotine" and "I Will Never Stop Loving You"
- Cory Gray – trumpets on "Real People", piano on "I Will Never Stop Loving You"
- Debbie Harry – vocals on "I Will Never Stop Loving You"
- Louise Woodward – strings on "I Will Never Stop Loving You"
Technical
- Keith Tenniswood – mastering
- Jagz Kooner – mixing
- Chris Thompson – engineering
- Brandon Eggleston – engineering
Visuals
- Elliott Erwitt – cover photography
- Sean Gothman – album design, layout
- Steve Birch – back cover logo
- Servo – back cover logo
Charts
edit| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[7] | 76 |
| UK Album Downloads (OCC)[8] | 56 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC)[9] | 22 |
References
edit- ^ Shelley, George (March 16, 2024). "The Dandy Warhols – Rockmaker Review". Still Listening. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
- ^ a b "Rockmaker by The Dandy Warhols Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
- ^ a b Hansen, Susan (March 14, 2024). "The Dandy Warhols – Rockmaker | Reviews". Clash. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ a b Murphy, John (March 13, 2024). "The Dandy Warhols – Rockmaker | Album Reviews". MusicOMH. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ a b Stanciu, Raul (March 18, 2024). "Review: The Dandy Warhols – Rockmaker". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ a b "The Dandy Warhols – Rockmaker". Uncut. April 2024. p. 31.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 23, 2024.