New York Dolls – Walking Backward in High Heels

Releasedate: 18-03-2011; Label: Blast Records/Suburban
By: Sabine van Gameren

New York Dolls have quite some history. That band started in 1971 but broke up after a couple of years. Anno 2004 they got reunited and this year their new album “Walking Backward in High Heels” comes out.

It is remarkable, the New York Dolls album releases only a few days after the album of Michael Monroe. In 2010 the Dolls saw their guitarist Steve Conte and bassist Sami Yaffa both leave and join Monroe’s posse. Is it a bitch fight going on? Who’s album will be more successful or was there not any message behind? Whether this is on or not, the Dolls do have some bittersweet songs on their album which could easily be seen as a slap in the face, but maybe not only to Monroe but as well to the world, themselves and everyone in the world.
Even though this bitterness “Walking Backwards in High Heels” is not exactly the album that has a lot of deep passion in it. It’s calm and whining on and on. Too slow for some people, but exactly living up to the idea of all being a bit depressive, down, bluesy and therefore an album that will attract some passionate listeners. It is an that takes you back in time, but not in the time that the Dolls were what they got known for, maybe a bar across the street, a different scene, more grown up and suitable for a wider audience.
This album comes with a DVD that contains “The Making of…” footage which is also worth to watch. It is a sweet and relaxed album that seems perfect for the Sunday afternoons in a smoky bar. Just don’t expect to hear that shock rock of the past, they lost that wild side long time ago.

Line Up:
David Johansen – Vocals, Harmonica
Sylvain Sylvain – Guitar, Bass, Piano
Brian Delaney – Drums
Frank Infante – Guitar
Jason Hill – Bass

Tracklist: 01.Streetcake 02.Talk to Me Baby 03.Fabulous Rant 04.I’m So Fabulous 05.Fool for You Baby 06.Kids Like You 07.Round and Round She Goes 08.You Don’t Have to Cry 09.I Sold My Heart to the Junkman 10.Baby Tell Me What You’re On 11.Funky But Chic 12.End of the Summer

Links:
New York Dolls Official