New York Dolls - One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This...

Reviewed by gary

There is only one thing I am sure or and that's all that lives is gonna die; and there'll always be someone here to wonder why? --Arthur Lee, 1945-2006 It plays constantly now, in my head, on my computer, when I'm listening to something else. Here's why: I first saw the New York Dolls in 1972 at Teddy's in Milwaukee. Everyone got to Milwaukee, eventually, you know. And what did I remember, other than the "outrageous" costumes, still shocking someone has said? I remember the bass player, Arthur "Killer" Kane. "the original rock 'n' roll statue," other than Roy Orbison, anyway. Arthur just stood there and stared. He didn't play that night; his arm was in a cast. And he's the one I always remember. He isn't even on the new record. He died from leukemia 22 weeks and two days after the Dolls' historic re-emergence at Morrisey's Meltdown Festival in London in 2004. See the stunning film New York Doll for more on that. But that isn't why I remember Arthur. He just had that presence and your eyes went to him. Rest in peace you sweet Mormon Punk. So, now we have the latest New New York Dolls, even different than the New New York Dolls of 2004. And, arguably, even better. Not just because Bo Diddley and Iggy Pop --Mr. Pop in New York Times style on the second reference--or Michael Stipe--Mr. Stipe--of REM are each on one cut. Their presence is brief, effective, wonderful, even. But they aren't necessary to the success of this band. The Dolls do that their way. Very anthemically, like all the girl groups, and great hooks; all those years of Johansen/Sylvain songs are really paying off these days. Even in a "Punishing World." Name a band that has been through as much as this group and all you will likely come up with is Lynyrd Skynyrd. Lynyrd Skynyrd still has two original members--Gary Rossington and Billy Powell--and Skynrd still delivers great shows. The last Skynyrd concert I attended was the only one at which I, a mere rock scribe, was actually assaulted by not one, but two, groupies. This never happened when I was on the Violent Femmes tour bus. Sometimes these guys even sound like the E Street Band. Maybe it's all those appearences on Little Steven's Rolling Rock 'N' Roll Show--20 headlining gigs since last November alone. Maybe it's the influence of David Johansen and The Harry Smiths. Check out this guy's harp playing. They sway, they rock, they roll, they "swoop swoop" like Lou Reed doing "Andy's Chest." And, they're still camp and cutting edge and just plain damned almighty good!" Whether on "Dance Like A Monkey," "Gotta Get Away From Tommy" or "Dancing On The Lip Of A Volcano," they deliver in spades and fishnets. There's plenty of music here and it won't stop being the soundtrack of your life until you let it. And there is one other thing, or shall I say, things. Johnny Thunders, Jerry Nolan, Billy Mercia and "Killer" Kane are all on this record, somewhere. You can feel them. Sylvain Sylvain dedicates this recording to them, "the New York Dolls who are no longer around," and rightly so. "Sleep Baby Dolls." [www.nydolls.com]

Mar 19 2007