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New York Dolls

One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This  Hear it Now

RS: 4of 5 Stars Average User Rating: 4of 5 Stars

2007

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David Johansen tells you in unrepentant terms in "Gimme Luv and Turn On the Light" why he and guitarist Sylvain Sylvain have the right to lead a New York Dolls in which they are the only original living Dolls. "This is infinity, this is eternity, this is my destiny!" Johansen crows with craggy defiance atop the band's runaway-Yardbirds glee. But being a Doll was always hard work. Under the hair spray, mascara and barely-controlled-Stones guitars, 1973's New York Dolls and '74's Too Much Too Soon were white-young-man-blues records about the steep price of a hellbent life, and Johansen is still swimming in red ink here, in the driving pessimism of "Punishing World" and the burnout ballads "Maimed Happiness" and "I Ain't Got Nothin'." But he, Sylvain and their new Dolls have honed the legendary mania of the early records into a tightened combustion that is part "Personality Crisis" but also packs the matured anxiety and tattered-Sixties classicism of Johansen's 1978 solo debut. And fuck the doubters, Johansen says right up front, in the exuberant zoom of "We're All in Love": "Jumpin' 'round the stage dressed like teenage girls/Castin' our swine before the pearls . . ./They go to work/We go to play."

DAVID FRICKE

(Posted: Aug 11, 2006)

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Review 1 of 6

alanmgibson writes:

4of 5 Stars


Not as good as the 1st New York Dolls album. But nothing else is either so why quibble. A great rock and roll album!

Mar 8, 2007 07:18:36

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Review 2 of 6

mannishboykev writes:

4of 5 Stars


Yeah i was once afraid---not anymore--thanx boys!

Nov 28, 2006 10:57:41

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Review 3 of 6

stratosphere writes:

5of 5 Stars


The most solid rock album I've heard in years. Recorded analog thank God! By ears of God, Jack(best living rock producer kids!!!) Douglas. Please upstart bands listen and learn. Heartfelt lyrics, four chords tops, kick ass drums. Amen

Aug 18, 2006 18:18:08

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Review 4 of 6

celimage writes:

2of 5 Stars


If you liked 1975, you may like this music.

Aug 18, 2006 09:53:08

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Review 5 of 6

Daire writes:

4of 5 Stars


Ok, so what do you need when the girl you like says she too likes you as "more than a friend" but doesn't want to "do anything right now"? You buy an album with a closing track called 'Take A Good Look At My Good Looks' and get hammered. I was lucky enough to have seen the Dolls a couple of years ago in Belfast and what stuck out was their wit and balsy on-stage attitude. Thankfully that's not missing from this album. It includes some wonderfully rocky-out songs with catchy hooks like 'Dancing On The Lip Of A Volcano' - which includes guest vocals from no other than Michael Stipe - and 'Fishnets & Cigarettes' while mixing it up with some gorgeous bittersweet ballads, especially the magnificient 'Maimed Happiness'. Who'd have thought they had it in them having crashed and burned after 2 classic albums in the early '70s. But the Dolls are back alright and are now available for all ages to enjoy. Silly fun perfect for before a night out.

Aug 11, 2006 12:33:31

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Review 6 of 6

artistgurlie writes:

5of 5 Stars


How great for us older guys that the New York Dolls have a new album! Thier first album was the stuff of my high school years and all my friends still listen to it every new years eve. Have to start the new year out with Personality Crisis. Every one I know were glad but afraid about this new album. So many dead members and so many years have past. But this new album really delivers!

Aug 9, 2006 11:30:30

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