10 Essential Glam Rock Albums
5. New York Dolls - New York Dolls
One of the most influential bands that still don’t get their rightful props in mainstream media, New York Dolls burned brightly in bursts, but while their first iteration lasted only a handful of years, they left us with their self titled debut and changed the game in the process.
The brash New Yorkers pioneered the proto-punk sound, but also set a template for glam and hair metal bands to follow, wearing fishnets and make up with a cheerful willingness to fistfight anyone bringing homophobia to their gigs.
Beyond the look, the music is incredible. “Personality Crisis” is the bridge from rock ‘n’ roll to punk, with a thumping piano that sounds like it’s about to fall to bits and Johnny Thunders’ thick guitar. David Johansen is as charismatic a frontman as there’s ever been, spitting and sneering through “Trash” and “Private World”.
They explore sonic depth on the lovely “Lonely Planet Boy” and burn everything up on closer “Jet Boy”. With the wildly talented Todd Rundgren on production, this is an all time great debut release, a fat-free 42 minutes of fun.