**1/2 The Dandy Warhols

THIRTEEN TALES FROM URBAN BOHEMIA

(Capital)

With the release of their major-label debut three years ago, the Dandy Warhols, from Portland, Oregon, showed everyone in the UK that America also knew how to do the Jesus and Mary Chain and Spiritualized. Not that anybody was keeping track -- after all, our own Velvets had nailed that urban-boho-chic shtick (not to mention that riff thing) a long time ago. Even though it spawned a minor alterna-rock hit with "Not If You Were the Last Junkie on Earth," the Dandies' second album deserved a bigger trophy -- or at least an honorable mention for drop-dead perfect song titles like "Cool As Kim Deal" and "Hard On for Jesus" (and the drop-dead perfect songs to go with 'em).

Perhaps the third time will prove a charm. The band have managed a bubblegummy tune or two ("Horse Pills," "Get Off") in keeping with the Everlast-Elwood-Smashray-Sugarmouth sound this time around. If that doesn't get 'em, maybe the Beckishly saucy strut of "Solid" will. Alongside the atmospheric splendor of tracks like "Godless" and "Mohammed," however, the band's foray into suburban hipster-hop sounds a tad out of place. The best moments come when the Warhols kick it old-school, purloining Loaded-style pearls ("The Gospel") or delivering sticky-fingered Stones licks ("Bohemian like You") that betray their true source material. Although not as immersed in the paisley haze of previous days, the Dandies again flaunt the humor, edge, and indolence that make them more than mere retro-minded garage-psych knockoffs using bigger beats in hopes of a hit.

-- Jonathan Perry