NEW YORK DOLLS - review added 18th February 2011
Album Review: Dancing Backwards In High Heels (2011)
For fans of: Alt Rock... and footwear manoeuvres
The New York Dolls started as the late 1960s rolled over into the early 1970s. One of the most influential alt rock/punk bands of all time, it's quite a surprise they only have four albums to their name before now, two of which came in the last few years.
Starting out with their self-titled debut in 1973, they want on to release "Too Much Too Soon" in 1974 before promptly disappearing off the face of the planet. "One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This" marked their return to recording in 2006, and follow-up "Cause I Sez So" came along in 2009. So, yep, "Dancing Backwards In High Heels" really is only this band's 5th album in 40 years. Oh, and it's rather good.
The band nowadays (certainly for the studio work on this recording) features original members David Johanssen on vocals and Sylvain Sylvain on guitar, plus Brian Delaney on drums, Frank Infante (Blondie) on guitar, and producer Jason Hill (The Killers) who also plays bass.
The sound is deeply interesting. I haven't heard any of the band's other albums from start to finish, so cannot compare this to them, but suffice it to say if the older albums are of this standard it's no wonder the band are considered as highly as they are. The variety, the cleverness of the songwriting, the musical arrangements...they are all brilliant. I'm still not 100% convinced whether David Johanssen can actually sing or not - he sounds like a cross between Ian Dury, Isaac Hayes, and me in the shower - but there's no doubt he's got a ton of character. If the record featured someone with a technically brilliant voice, it almost certainly wouldn't work.
Jason Hill's production leaves the album with a live-studio feel, meaning there is enough work done here to give the release fluidity and panache, but not enough to take away that raw, 'real' vibe a band like this needs. Again, just like the vocals, purity and clarity would not work with the New York Dolls. This is a band that live and breathe character.
There isn't a duff track on the album, although 'I'm So Fabulous', 'Round And Round She Goes', and 'You Don't Have To Cry' are the real stand out moments.
In Summation:
There's a definite love/hate factor going on here. The New York Dolls are a band you need to 'get'. If you do, "Dancing Backwards In High Heels" is breathtakingly good.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Check out... All of it.
Track List:
01. Streetcake
02. Talk To Me Baby
03. Fabulous Rant
04. I'm So Fabulous
05. Fool For You Baby
06. Kids Like You
07. Round And Round She Goes
08. You Don't Have To Cry
09. I Sold My Heart To The Junkman
10. Baby Tell Me What You're On
11. Funky But Chic
12. End Of The Summer
Artist's website(s): New York Dolls | MySpace | Facebook
