New York Dolls — 'Cause I Sez So

The Dolls' third studio album since their 1973 self-titled debut features the same lineup as 2006's comeback record. Only singer David Johansen and guitarist Sylvain Sylvain remain from the original group. They've reunited with producer Todd Rundgren (Meatloaf, Cheap Trick), who was also at the controls for the first album, on this 12-track disc.

The title track and opener is a bluesy rocker that rails against the omnipresence of video cameras in today's society. "Temptation To Exist" is oddly reminiscent of Calexico and features some whistling. While "Muddy Bones" suffers from some slightly muddy production, it's one of the album's better songs. But the two best are the jangly "Better Than You" and the melodic, mid-tempo "Lonely So Long."

Guitars occasionally sound like sitars in "Drowning," and "Nobody Got No Bizness" is the most groove-oriented song on the disc, but they're both pretty flat. There's a surprisingly regggaefied version of "Trash," one of the band's most beloved songs from their first disc. It lacks the vitality of the original, but still works. The record ends with a return to the Dolls' vintage rock sound on "Exorcism Of Despair."

'Cause I Sez So lacks the raw and somewhat shocking qualities of the Dolls' '70s output and doesn't benefit from the welcome back aspect that gave the underrated One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This an added boost three years ago, but it's still a solid listen for those who've kept the faith.

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