This Machine

Released in 2012, This Machine marks the eighth studio album by The Dandy Warhols and stands as one of their most restrained and 'earthy' recordings. Following the experimental and often sprawling nature of their previous decade, the band collaborated with producer Tchad Blake to achieve a sound that is notably more 'woody' and guitar-centric. The recording process emphasized a 'less is more' philosophy, resulting in a collection of tracks that lean into garage rock, post-punk, and even elements of dark blues. The inclusion of a cover of Merle Travis's '16 Tons' highlights this shift toward rootsier, grittier influences. While it retains the band's signature cool detachment and penchant for drones, the production is significantly drier than the reverb-soaked landscapes of 'Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia.' Critically, the album was seen as a return to form by some who missed the band's guitar-driven roots, though it remains a polarizing entry for fans of their more polished pop-psych era. It is a pivotal record that redefined the band's sonic palette for the 2010s.