This is rock history. For more than 30 years
New York Dolls has been mentioned by who's who in rock music even though they only made 2 real studio albums. 32 years later after the last studio album
New York Dolls is back!
Drugs and life in general has been hard on
New York Dolls. Both Arthur Kane and Johnny Thunders have passed away. From the original band is Sylvain Sylvain plus David Johansen and they assembled a new band to carry on the tradition of the Dolls.
Guitarist Steve Conte looks like a younger Ron Wood and his playing style is just right for
New York Dolls. (Hard Rock history lesson; Steve Conte played in Company of Wolves, who released a great self titled album in 1990) Sam Yaffa is the original
Hanoi Rocks bassist and since
Hanoi Rocks is one of my favorite bands my enthusiasm for this rendition of
New York Dolls is high.
All members of
New York Dolls have contributed to the songwriting. Sam Yaffa is responsible for the raunchy opening track
We´re All in Love, which underlines that the Dolls are back.
When
New York Dolls first started they were accused of bad musicianship. The first albums were raw and unpolished. "One Day it Will Please us to Remember Even this" doesn't display a snotty garage band but sees
New York Dolls with a polished sound and well arranged songs. You might miss Johnny Thunders etc. but this band certainly rocks.
David Johansen sounds absolutely great on the whole album and his vocals are upfront. Lead guitarist Steve Conte is a bit low in the mix but he has got the right Rock N´ Roll/
New York Dolls feel - just listen to
Running Around.
New York Dolls even managed to get REM´s Michael Stipe to sing on
Dancing on the Lip of a Volcano, which is the most polished song but sounds like a potential hit single.
The album highlights are the irresistible
Happiness and Fishnets plus the rocking
Gotta Get Away from Tommy. Both songs have clever lyric lines from David Johansen.
The album is consistent and varied with a balanced mixture of ballads and rockers.
New York Dolls often sounds like an American sing/songwriter traditional band like John Hiatt - exemplified on
Plenty of Music.
New York Dolls 2006 lives up to the great music that is connected to the pioneer brand
New York Dolls. The only songs that don't work are the cheerful up-tempo
Rainbow Store with a silver wedding organ and the sugar sweet closing track
Take a Good look at my good looks.
Hurry out and get the first pressing of this pure Rock N´ Roll album and score a bonus DVD. The DVD contains the making of this album and is an honest look at
New York Dolls in the studio with producer Jack Douglas and engineer Jay Messina. The DVD proves that this is a band and not David Johansen and Sylvain Sylvain with some hired guns. David Johansen has got to one of the most likable persons since he always seems in a great mood and very down to earth.
Written by
Michael Friday, September 15, 2006
Show all reviews by MichaelRatingsMichael: 7/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
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