NEW YORK DOLLS

"New York Dolls" (Mercury; 1973)

Reviewed by Snidermann

I have always been intrigued by The New York Dolls so I decided it was high time I listened to their debut release and review it. I had read somewhere that they were the sleazy Rolling Stones with eyeliner. What a great fucking line! I wish I had written it! I found this 1973 recording to be charming, with a tongue-and-cheek aspect of music that I like: Alice Cooper, Frank Zappa, The Sweet and Mott the Hoople are bands that come to mind.  I had heard different tracks from the band over the years and finally decided to check them out. David Johansen, singer for the band, is an interesting cat. Check him out online for more info on this really cool character. It took me years to figure out (this was before the internet) that the singer Dexter Poindexter was in fact David Johansen.

Anyway, I found the music of the Dolls fun, easy to listen and flamboyant as hell. I can only imagine what they would be like on stage and that will never happen because Johansen is the only living member of the band. The great Todd Rundgren produced this album. I am sure the New York Dolls were looked down upon by the music industry and the public—they permed their hair, wore make up and platform shoes. The band had a cult following in the New York area and they first two releases were moderately successful. Sadly, due to drugs and alcohol, the band broke up in 1975.

The New York Dolls and their 1973 debut release shows us music can be fun without being too deep at the same time. Great release, good fun.

For more information, check out https://www.facebook.com/nydolls/.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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