April 22, 2009

New York Dolls: 'Cause I Sez So

New York Dolls
photo: Max Lakner

Does the world need a fourth New York Dolls studio album? Well, not really, but 'Cause I Sez So sounds a lot better than the third one - One Day It Will Please Us to Remember Even This - that was released to tie in with the reunion gigs that started happening since 2004, when former Smiths vocalist Morrissey persuaded the surviving members to perform at the 2004 Meltdown Festival in London.

Todd Rundgren is back in the producer's seat and he successfully cooked up the early Seventies feel that made the Dolls such a great band. The album was recorded at his Utopia Sound Studio, Kauai, Hawaii. Johansen and Sylvain could work on their tan between sessions and the new guy Steve Conte (in the band since 2004) and a rather faceless rhythm section back them up in an adequate way, holding back most of the time as if they were afraid to interfere with the two legends fronting the band. The band even went as far as to lay down an updated version of their classic track Trash, but the 2009 version lacks a sense of urgency. Now it sounds like it was recorded on the beach, while sipping fruit cocktails.

The Dolls are at ease these days and in it for fun, never mind they sing about Exorcism Of Despair or Muddy Bones. They are in celebratory mood with the Philly soul Chicago style Nobody Got No Bizness, and the confident rockers 'Cause I Sez So and Better Than You.

New York Dolls:
David Johansen: vocals
Sylvain Sylvain: guitar, background vocals
Steve Conte: guitar, background vocals
Sami Yaffa: bass, maracas, melodica, background vocals
Brian Delaney: drums

The Dolls play the legendary 100 Club in London, May 14, 2009.

New York Dolls: Cause I Sez So

'Cause I Sez So is scheduled for release in the UK on May 4th (May 5th in the USA) on ATCO Records.

Tracks:
  1. 'Cause I Sez So
  2. Muddy Bones
  3. Better Than
  4. Lonely So Long
  5. My World
  6. Ridiculous
  7. Temptation To Exist
  8. Making Rain
  9. Drowning
  10. Nobody Got No Bizness
  11. Trash
  12. Exorcism Of Despair

» nydolls.org

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