FIRST LISTEN: THE NEW YORK DOLLS Cause I Sez So (2009)
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Artist:
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Album:Cause I Sez So
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Track:Cause I Sez So
THE NEW YORK DOLLS
Cause I Sez So (2009)
A few tracks, like the title tune, carry on in the Dolls' gloriously trashy tradition, though, as you can clearly hear, producer Todd Rundgren gives the sonics a 90s rock band sheen. Understandable when it comes to reaching radio, but still a shock to the system when it comes to what one expects, or more accurately wants, from the New York Dolls. Still, the track above is an anomaly as much of the rest of the album offers throwbacks to the Dolls' 50s girl group fascination, some blues takes and an overall ragged, first take approach (unlike the title track). But what's missing is the danger, the free falling and the reckless abandon. Which was, probably, the only reason to listen to (what's left of) these guys in the first place. The songs are more... uh, "songs," as opposed to reminders of their past, which is probably a good thing. And, I suspect some of this material will grow on me... but on first listen, I'm considering it a disappointment of expectations. I give Johansen & Sylvain credit for not rehashing the same old crap 35 plus years later, but am not really satisfied with the mish-mash they're offering up now. More indicative tracks are in comments.
Comments (14)
Good call, Willard. I vividly remember the first time i heard the Dolls back in 73. The Stones had just tamed their act considerably with the somewhat polished "Goat's Head Soup," which was in such stark contrast to grittiness of "Exile." The Dolls sounded more like the Stones than the Stones did at that point, and I think that helped launch them.
And now the Dolls sound polished? Afraid so. It reminds me of them.....but as if they're behind glass or something...like a museum piece. I saw them (what's left of them) at House of Blues a couple of years ago, and they were raucous, and David Johanson was worth the price of admission alone, but when you add so many non-original members, it's just not the same. Oh well, you can't raise the dead, I suppose.
....My god! This isn't Cheap Trick? WTF?
Yeah, I know, you tied to warn me. Sad, isn't it?
Yeah... it's not totally awful. It's just not right. Fortunately, the title track is the only one with such an obvious radio desire. I suspect I'll listen to the album a couple more times, just to better understand it. Which is more than I did for the last Stooges. I never even went back for a second listen to that one.
....Once there was a way....to get back homeward
No, of course it's not that Dolls sound. What's left of these guys is waayyy to far down the road to play off the dangerous rambunction they created in '73. I'd say that sound was at least two-fifths Johnny Thunders, so it's an unsolvable equation anyway. But, with Johansen and Sylvain bringing their own combined two-fifths, it plays a lot better than what I expected. I've played these two tracks about four times today, and I like the vibe. There's a lot different and dated, but some part of my brain doesn't care much at all!! Thanks W!
Hi Scot,
Here's another for you then...
Lonely so long has the great melody but the playing is just too sharp . Johasen still canes the vocals and from these 2 tracks it stands up on its own merits rather than to be measured against those wonderful earlier sounds.
I never got into the original Dolls, so I first listened to this CD not knowing what to expect. I found a stark difference between the title track and the majority of the rest of the songs, but I didn't take that as actually being a bad thing.
I actually think they put together a pretty good CD. Now whether it's the old them or not, I don't know. Todd may have brought something new out of them. I was actually planning on posting Ridiculous from this CD for Blue(s) Monday. Still will, unless someone beats me to it.
Yeah... the title track has obviously been tweaked for radio play. The fact that the rest of the LP is so different says something positive about David & The Boys not selling their souls for airplay. FYI: Rundgren also produced the band's first album in 1973. And he caught a lot of crap from critics (for decades) who felt he didn't capture the band's raw sound on tape.
If you want to hear what the really raw Dolls sounded like - live in the studio in 1973 - go here...
http://nevergetoutoftheboat.blogspot.com/2008/08/new-york-dolls.html
I'll check that out- thanks
I have to admit I like this track. It's fun! So what if they want one song on their comeback album to get radio airplay.
I'll live with being in the minority on this one.
I never did see the Dolls live- tho I did see David Jo solo when I was in college at a tiny club. I got so close he was sweating on me while he was singing- but the way he wailed was always a good time to hear and, in this case, see.
As a long time Dolls, Thunders, Sylvain, Johansen fan, I really like the new album, Cause I Sez So. It took me all this time to even give the new band a chance, hadn't even listened to the Live from Royal Festival Hall album yet. I thought, how could I even think the new stuff could be good as a huge Thunders Fan (saw him twice in Milwaukee). I was at this show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w03JMFRgq6k
Well, I saw the new Dolls in Charleston a few weeks ago. I just tried to think of this show as a solo Johansen or Sylvain show of which I have seen a few. It was a great show if you didn't try to compare to the old Dolls. After repeated listening I love the new album. Love the song Ridiculous, Johansen can really sing the blues. I like the reggae version of Trash, live they started the song like the original and slid into the reggae beat. I would rather see the band do new songs than their classics, the old days will never be re-created. The band ruins You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory on the Live from Royal Festival Hall album. Hey, everyone can complain about the new band but what's out there that's even similar? I would much rather listen to the stuff Johansen and Sylvain are making now than see them retire.
Fasted 7:
I just read your comment and I'm with you on this one. I too saw Johansen, in '82 when the live album Live It Up came out. What a show! The 2 guitarists in the band had so much power! I Will always remember that show. It was at a big theatre turned bar called The Palms in Milwaukee. They had a high stage and I was right in front. Johansen jumped off the stage and I was one of the people holding him up above the audience, and got his sweat all over me. I have to say, Johansen will always be one of the most entertaining frontmen in rock.