New York Dolls - Too Much Too Soon

 Too Much Too Soon
New York Dolls-Too Much Too Soon *****


As far as straight up rock n' roll goes it doesn't get much better then the boys in the New York Dolls, and the album Too Much Too Soon. Along with the bands debut self-titled album, New York Dolls, Too Much Too Soon is a great solid rock album. Yes you can trace the elements of early punk but to be fare you can also trace 1960's girl groups as well as doo-whop and blues, and when you really get right down to the nitty- gritty the Dolls were just a basic rock band, and one of the best at that.

Released in 1974 not to soon after the bands first album was released and became a hit and eventually a classic, Too Much Too Soon was well, a flop. The album did not sell very well. Now admittedly the production on this album is not as pleasurable as the first album, but the songs are just as great. The first album may have had more classic songs, but this one is pact with tons of great songs like the albums opener `Babylon' which happens to be one of the bands all time best tracks and has gone on to be a live favorite even today after all of these years. Also the Sylvain/JoHanson classic `Puss N' Boots' which is a personal favorite filled with one of Sylvains all time best guitar riffs and his patent "weee-oh's" in the back ground. It truly is one of the best examples of the band at their peak. `Bad Detective' is another fun classic. I know I am throwing the word classic around a lot but with a band like the Dolls it feels right. The album closes with `Human Being' which on the album could have been stronger but is still on of the bands very best songs, on par with `Personality Crisis' and `Trash' from the first album. The only thing with that song is that it is much, much better when it is hear live, and there is nothing wrong with that, especially since the Dolls were known for being a dominating live band.

Other greats on the album include the cover of infamous Bobby Boy Williamson blues number `Don't Start Me Talkin' which in my book the Dolls actually do better. They give the song something it was lacking. `It's Too Late' has some great harmonica from David JoHanson and the song has a powerful rhythm section with Jerry Nolen on drums and Killer Kane (that is how he is credited on the album) on bass.

Now usually when people talk about the Dolls the first thing out of their mouth is Johnny Thunders this and Thunders that. Well don't get me wrong the man is a legend and one of my personal favorite guitar players. He really only shines on a few songs on Too Much Too Soon though. The fun `Stranded In The Jungle' `Who Are The Mystery Girls?' `There's Gonna Be A) Showdown' and `Chatterbox' are all classic Thunders tunes filled with great guitar licks and strong lyrics. They just don't stand out as much among the other tracks, even though Thunders helped write most of the songs these were clearly more of his writing then Johansens.

While Too Much Too Soon may not be talked about as much or hailed as quite the classic that the first album is, this may in fact be the better album. One thing is for sure that all three of the bands albums are among the best rock n' roll albums I have ever heard.
March 14, 2008

 great!
Bad Detective is the best thing on this fantastic pastiche of rock camp!
That's all. I'll be buying my third cd copy soon, now that it has been remastered. February 7, 2008

 HOW TO DO COMPARE THIS GREATNESS TO ANYTHING?
Wow, reviewing the Dolls is much like reviewing the Stooges or MC5. Maybe even the Clash. My experience w/the Dolls started as a stoned out trip while in college to the local KMART (Kame a Part). I always cruised to the bargin bin (LPs to be sure)to check on what treasures some unwitting idiot of a clerk would mark down. And I found it there too. Blue Cheer, Black Sabbath (Live, Bootleg, no less), and even a rare copy of T2's classic, It Will All Work Out in Boomland. Anywho, one such journey yielded the 2nd Dolls classic, Too Much Too Soon. Talk about an chilling name for the future of this band. Mind you, this was less than a year after it's release! Back to dorm land to spin and drink. Now I can look back and see the blueprint for what was to come only 3-4 years later...Punk Rawk! Guitarist Johnny Thunders has been copied hundreds of times for his raw Chuck Berry influenced playing. Has there really been a drummer w/the force of Nolan for pure RnR? Right up there w/Exile on Main Street as far as classics. Showdown has to be one of the most exciting dancable tunes ever penned. Image, chops, and balls...yep the Dolls had it all. It you need any intro to this band, skip the crap w/reissues and bad live stuff. Get this CD and the 1st. You'll love it, baby... March 2, 2007

 New York Dolls - 'Too Much Too Soon' (Polygram)
Originally released in 1974,this was the band's follow-up to their self-titled album(see my review)and in every way and aspect,just as good.I remember buying this on cassette for $1.99 twenty-some years ago in a cut-out bin.Great to have it on CD.Tunes that I was more than casually impressed with were the straight-ahead rocking opener "Babylon",the bluesy "It's Too Late","Puss 'N Boots","Chatterbox",Sonny Boy Williamson's cover of "Don't Start Me Talking" and "Human Being".So great that the two still-living members of the Dolls have finally reunited and are currently touring the states.Prime proto-punk here for the taking.Highly recommended. November 7, 2006

 Essential Guilty Pleasure
While not the rock milestone as the NY Dolls' debut, Too Much Too Soon is an essential addition. The cover songs are as much about who the Dolls were as the originals - Stranded in the Jungle is a loopy chestnut that was a blast on stage as the band imitated the monkey house in Central Park. Showdown was grungy soul strut, Philly by way of the #7 subway line. Human Being remains one of my favorite Dolls songs, an anthem and reaffirmation. Johnny Thunders' recycled Chatterbox under a variety of names and lyrics, but this is the definitive version. Shadow Morton producing is an obvious nod to the godfather of the Shangrilas - where do you think the "When I say I'm in love, you best believe I'm in love - L-U-V" came from in the middle of Trash came from? Not to mention the Dolls (later JT's) great cover of Give Him a Great Big Kiss. They belong together! The Dolls benefit from the sound clarity, bringing their chaos right up front and personal. To "get" the Dolls you need #1, Too Much Too Soon, Hard Night's Day, LAMF, Johnny's So Alone & Que Sera Sera. They really were too much too soon - you still hear them all over nuevo garage rock & punk. RIP JT, Jerry, Arthur & Billy. June 16, 2006

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