Category Archives: Music Review

by | March 22, 2010 · 12:35 am

‘You’ll Go Bozos for It!’

The Dictators Go Girl Crazy!Note: This is one of a series of posts in The DFFD Blog Goes Girl Crazy! special — a monthlong commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the release of ‘The Dictators Go Girl Crazy!’

Some reviews from Back in the Day, dug up by my esteemed colleague Salvi C.:

“The Dictators Go Girl Crazy may be the most self-indulgent, impossible, elitist, brilliant recording ever.” — Trouser Press

“This album is vulgar. But impressive.” — Creem

“You’ll go bozos for it!” — Dictators Fanzine #1

— DFFD123

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by | December 6, 2009 · 2:45 pm

Ross Le Boss et Shakin’ Street: Zee Albums

Shakin' StreetIn 1979 and 1980, the period between the end of the Dictators’ original reign and the birth of Manowar, Ross the Boss did yeoman duty as the guitar god for the French band Shakin’ Street. It’s time to give them a fresh listen.

The logical starting point is their self-titled 1980 album on Columbia. Singer Fabienne’s English as a Second Language vocals don’t always work, and there are points where the material doesn’t keep up with the playing. But RTB is killer throughout, and there are high points tune-wise, with “Solid as a Rock,” “No Time To Lose,” “So Fine” and especially “Susie Wong.”  “Susie Wong” is easily the best thing here, a beautiful tune with a nicely structured arrangement that winds its way to RTB’s best bits on the LP, where he’s sympathetic and muscular all at once. It’s simply a great song, and one of the best non-Dics things he’s ever played on. The highs more than compensate for the lows here, and overall this is a pretty solid album. Continue reading →

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by | November 28, 2009 · 1:48 pm

Unearthing a “Lost Classic”: MWK’s “…And You?”

And You? coverThe Hard Rock Hideout recently rediscovered the Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom “lost classic” …And You?:

“‘Haircut and Attitude’ almost sounds like a lost Beastie Boys song. ‘D.W.I.’ is so catchy, it almost sounds like a KISS tune. … I think I am getting more enjoyment out of this CD now than when it was originally released.”

More: http://hardrockhideout.com/2009/11/20/manitobas-wild-kingdom-and-you-1990/

…AND, for YOUr viewing pleasure, a video clip of MWK rocking the 2008 Joey Ramone Birthday Bash:

— DFFD123

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by | November 25, 2009 · 1:03 am

CD Review: The LP Ain’t Dead Yet

Thunderbolt Patterson

Gin N' Roses

Drummer jokes. We all know at least a couple. “Why is a drum solo like a sneeze? You can tell it’s coming, but you can’t do anything about it.” What does it mean when the drummer drools out of both sides of his mouth? It means the stage is level.” Well, you can take the drummer jokes and cram ’em with walnuts, because J.P. “Thunderbolt” Patterson has defied them all with his CD The LP Is Dead, now out on No Fun Records.

My first reaction when hearing about a drummer making an album is “are the songs just excuses for him to show off his chops?” Nothing could be farther from that with this album. J.P. has come up with a collection of catchy, punchy, up-beat tunes. There isn’t one wanker moment here, the songs always come first. And what a batch of songs!! Funny and optimistic, with melodies and choruses that just don’t quit. Patterson proves more than once that Andy Shernoff isn’t the only Dictator who can come up with rock anthems. Give one listen to the title track, or to “One Beverage,” and you’ll find yourself singing the refrains for the rest of the day.
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