Odditorium or Warlords of Mars

With its cheeky title, which references a series of Edgar Rice Burroughs sci-fi novels, ODDITORIUM OR WARLORDS OF MARS would seem to have the makings of a concept album. The only real concept here, however, is the Dandy Warhols getting back to a warmer, more organic vibe after their amped-up, slickly produced 2003 outing, WELCOME TO THE MONKEY HOUSE. The contrast between the two records works wonderfully, and reveals that the Portland, Oregon band isn't afraid to tinker with its sound, moving from a synth-heavy sheen to a stripped-down aesthetic. Frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor's keen sense of popcraft is fully on display here, from the dreamy drones of "Love is the New Feel Awful" to the down-home feel of "All the Money or the Simple Life Honey" and the loose, Stonesy swagger of "Smoke It." Despite any stylistic shifts, the Dandy Warhols can always be counted on for good-time, guitar-driven rock, and ODDITORIUM is no exception.