new york dolls dancing backwards in high heels

Released: 14 March 2011 Label: Blast Records

With the release of their fifth full length studio album Dancing Backwards in High Heels, New York Dolls have collided their past with the present to create a breath of fresh air. David Johansen has still tactfully maintained his tarnished punk vocals, yet the album as a whole has a much more detailed recipe. From their self titled 1973 debut album to the present day, New York Dolls have still managed to present an infectious record.

The opening song Streetcake shows off a milder side of the album. Opening with a simple strum of Sylvain Sylvain’s guitar, the song initially seems a little bland. As the vocals kick in, the song exposes a different side to New York Dolls. Streetcake may seem to be an unusual choice of an opening song, but sure enough they haven’t bitten off more than they can chew.

The second song is a blueprint of the depth and variety the album exploits. With its four beats per bar and steady rhythm, Talk to Me Baby produces a toe tapping, hand clapping impression, bringing some swing to the album.

The band hit the nail on the head with their introduction to Fabulous Rant. The spoken opening of Johansen fits the band's image perfectly. The stubborn, cantankerous tone in his voice gives a visual impression of a ‘pub’ speech. With the addition of the guitar and the feisty drumming of Brian Delaney, the song is politically and melodically brought to life.

I’m So Fabulous hits the rewind button to the 1970’s. It has the steady yet feisty rhythm of the retro punk era. It’s a perfect example of the bands roots still manifesting deep down within their songs. There could even be an argument that this song is the most fiery of the album.

To display even more variety Kids Like You filters out the bluesy side of this album. It’s basic drumming and lack of chord changes creates the walking pace. The finishing touches of the harmonica polishes off the song enigmatically.

For all those 60’s and 70’s rock and roll music fans out there, track eight is your cracker. Round and Round She Goes is about as punchy as you get. It steps the album up to a whole new level. Its bouncy yet funky rhythm is a ‘kick off your shoes and dance’ tune. What can be said but the slow build up to the rocking, pulsing drum beats will leave you going round and round!

You Don’t Have to Cry portrays the more harmonious assets of the band. The guitars create a flowing effect during the song and Johansen has ditched his polished punky vocals for a much more subtle melodic tone.

The cover of the Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles hit, I Sold My Heart to the Junkman churned up a notable display of how well the New York Dolls can take a song from a different era, twist it, own it and make it sound like it has always belonged to them.

Baby Tell Me What You’re On displays yet another side to the band. It highlights their funky, jamming session style. With a combination of the clean guitar and the deep, droning vocals, the song is incredibly basic but still has the cool cutting edge to it.

What can be said about Funky but Chic apart from it literally is funky but chic! The intro relies on the drums to kick start the song, and from a cheeky guitar solo in the bridge, the song comes to its climax. With the cocky guitar skills of Sylvain and the choppy licks of the original Blondie guitarist Frank Infante, the song works its wicked ways.

The final song The End of the Summer puts the album in perfect position to suggest the band has no boundaries. Again it draws out their other technical abilities. It is a slower and relaxing number, feeding off laid back, tie dye vibes, showing the bands ability to make an album that has more variety than a box of Quality Street.

All in all, Dancing Backwards in High Heels is a quirky album. Whether it’s the bluesy sax to the drone of the organ, the chalky vocals to the shoulder twitching guitars, the album does have something for everyone. Whether you have been a life long, die hard Dolls fan, or you are a new comer you won’t be dancing backwards in high heels but you’ll certainly be kept on your toes!

by Kathryn Longbottom