New York Dolls

70's glam scene snapshot

This album cover is so 70s ragebait, cause the music sounds like early David Bowie and Iggy Pop. Within the context of prog rock, I like how unserious it is. But I've heard this sound already so it doesn't pack as much of a punch as I wish that album cover must have done in the 70s.

Es ist ein herrlich verwilderter Startschuss für alles, was später Punk, Glam und sleaze‑iger Rock’n’Roll werden sollte. Die Band stolpert, stolziert und explodiert durch diese Songs, als gäbe es kein Morgen – roh, schmutzig, aber voller Charme. „Personality Crisis“ ist ein sofortiger Klassiker, „Trash“ ein melodischer Straßenköter mit Herz.

Das Album ist nicht makellos, aber genau diese Unfertigkeit macht seinen Reiz aus. Ein frühes, grelles Juwel des Chaos.

Fun album. Certainly deserves it place on the list as its pre Ramones, The Damned, KISS etc. 3/5.

Thought it was going to be a 4 but didn't enjoy it all that much.

Still, very influential, clearly!

If it just came down to composition, there's an argument that New York Dolls are as much a rock band as they are a punk band. But just listen to those performances, look at that aesthetic. In all other ways, New York Dolls *ooze* punk. The songs *are* still great though. The lyrics are snotty and sarcastic, the vocals are surprisingly intense, and the structure is an early form of punk's ultra catchy, deconstructed rock. Also fascinating is how the members of New York Dolls seem to (by their own description) all be straight, but from what I know about them, it seems like they slotted into New York queer culture in an incredibly genuine way that I just have to respect. But yeah, it's sick proto punk, with great songs, great vibes, and oozing style, if you are gonna like this, you probably already know by this point.

Nothing gets me more enthusiastic than hearing glam rock build towards punk, or post-punk turn into new wave (à la Talking Heads, not the synth pop version). 1967-1977 might be the best decade in rock & roll history, and this period when glam rock was really peaking on the early 70s might have been the most fun part.
There's a lot of post-punk in the world, but I kinda wish we had more pre-punk. The Stooges and The Dolls were really cooking in this era and, while I'd sure there are bands still making music that's nostalgic for this era, it's a shame there's no specific "pre-punk" sub-genre I can mine for bands that are doing this niche thing I like.

This is some good high energy fun. If it were released now I’d probably give it four stars. But it was released in 1973! The roots of punk. And fearless gender nonconformity. Trail Blazers.

Also want to send out personal thanks for David Johansen- used to go watch him live on the regular when he was performing as Buster Poindexter. What joy he brought to the world. RIP

This is super fun, I like this.

There's lots of glam, punky energy from the off. It's not all one-note though, there's plenty to it. The guitars are great, but there's rock n' roll keys, harmonica and more. I also really liked the lower tempo tracks. The whole album has some great grooves and rhythms running through it.

3.25

Visste ikke at Todd Rundgren hadde produsert dette, kult! Egentlig rart han ikke har produsert mer punk etter dette, med tanke på hvor innflytelsesrikt albumet har vært.

Mitt første møte med albumet var via PS2-spillet True Crime: New York City, hvor låta «Subway Train» er med. Det er fortsatt min favoritt fra albumet, og «Personality Crisis», såklart.

Viber med energien på plata, men viber ikke så mye med attituden. Vanskelig å forklare. Uansett en klassiker.

New York’s finest rock 'n' rollers between The Velvet Underground & the Ramones, & the best interpretation of The Rolling Stones I think we've e'er seen, the New York Dolls generated two of the hardest, dirtiest, rockiest, & most profound records this rock thing has known. 'Cus we keep on / Ridin,' ridin' ridin.' It recalls the rottener content of '71's The Panic in Needle Park ('Pills') at the same time that it puts you in the upbeat moods of the city's machoest bars, i.e., this has got unironic continuities w/ ZZ Top & the lot. I know they're beloved by most of the right people, & that adds to their wide mystique as still unappreciated innovators, but I promise you, these songs sound & feel really good. 'Oh, trash, don't kick my night away / Oh, trash.'

Some good early punk rock. I thought the closer Jer Boy was pretty interesting and went back to listen to the album again after which is always a good sign. Good overall. 3/5

Honestly this was a really fun listen. Glad i came across it. Low 4

It was pretty decent punk rock album.

Personality Crisis is a great song. I can see how the album is important and influential, but all the other songs are just ok at best

I don't like glam or punk or sleaze so this is a no from me.

solid punk or whatever album

rockzim normal né, nada demais. um salve a mais pela importância queer e influência em uma caraiada de banda de punk e glam!!

alem disso a mixagem eh bem bacana. algumas musicas capturam bem o que seria um show deles!!

That was some pretty wild music. Glam and punk together—you don't see that very often. It was kind of fun, but the sound was pretty flat. A funny idea alone just isn't enough. I probably won't be listening to that again. 2/5