NEW YORK DOLLS

Dancing Backward in High Heels

[429]

Dancing Backward in High Heels continues the New York Dolls’ remarkably unexpected, and just plain remarkable, reunion. On their third 21st-century release—more than they managed during their original ’70s run—surviving original members David Johansen and Syl Sylvain are joined by returning reunion-era drummer Brian Delaney, onetime Blondie guitarist Frank Infante and bass player Jason Hill. While the disc still feels like a product of New York City’s Bowery district, it isn’t the glammy punk rock of the young Dolls. Here they mine ’60s rock ’n’ roll, R&B and other thrift-store nuggets. Both Johansen and Sylvain are on the far side of 50, but their songs are full of life. Johansen remains a colorful leader, whether dissing NYC tourists in “I’m So Fabulous,” playing a street-corner Romeo in “Streetcake” or saluting a party girl in “Round and Round She Goes.” The Dolls are aging gracefully and gloriously. –Michael Berick