"Welcome to the Monkey House" is the fourth studio album by the American rock band The Dandy Warhols, released on May 5, 2003. The album marked a significant stylistic shift for the band, incorporating more synthpop and new wave elements compared to their previous works. It was produced by Courtney Taylor-Taylor, the band’s lead singer, and features contributions from notable musicians such as Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran, who co-produced several tracks, and Simon Le Bon, also of Duran Duran, who provided guest vocals on the song "Plan A."
The album's sound is characterized by its use of synthesizers and influences from 1980s music, blending alternative rock with electronic elements. This was a departure from the more guitar-driven sound of their earlier albums. Some of the tracks on the album explore themes of technology and modern life, with the title itself a reference to the novel "Welcome to the Monkey House" by Kurt Vonnegut, which satirizes aspects of society and technology.
Key singles from the album include "We Used to Be Friends," which gained popularity and was used as the theme song for the television series "Veronica Mars," and "You Were the Last High." The album generally received mixed to positive reviews, appreciated for its sleek production and catchy melodies, though some critics noted it deviated from the band's signature rock sound.
Overall, "Welcome to the Monkey House" stands out in The Dandy Warhols' discography for its embrace of electronic music influences and its collaboration with influential artists from the 1980s music scene.
