Showing posts with label The Dictators. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Dictators. Show all posts

Sunday, September 08, 2024

The Dictators - self titled


What do you say about one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands to ever walk the Earth releasing a genuinely fantastic album fifty plus years into its existence? You could say a lot of things, I suppose. I simply said, "Wow!" I would have been grateful just to have a new Dictators album at all, but the band's self-titled new long player (only its fifth studio album) has exceeded all expectations. It's way too soon for me to be saying it's as good as 2001's D.F.F.D. But if D.F.F.D was better than any record produced by a thirty-year-old band had a right to be, The Dictators is better than any record produced by a fifty-year-old band has a right to be. Quite literally, this is a new version of The Dictators. But sometimes fresh blood can pump new life into a band. Original members Andy Shernoff and Ross the Boss are joined by drummer Albert Bouchard (Blue Öyster Cult) and singer/guitarist Keith Roth (Frankenstein 3000) — forming a true powerhouse of a lineup.  

While The Dictators is a rock 'n' roll record made by senior citizens, it sure doesn't sound like it. Just about any band coming up in today's punk/rock 'n' roll scene would wish to make records this good. Andy Shernoff still writes the smartest, funniest, and most anthemic songs you could ever hope to hear. Ross the Boss is still an absolute monster on guitar. Bouchard is a legend in his own right. Roth (the "kid" of the band) is a glam punk lifer who was practically born to be a Dictator. I'd put the gleefully sardonic "Thank You and Have a Nice Day" up there with any of the band's classic songs. "My Imaginary Friend," which satirizes "cults, conspiracy theories and wacky religions," demonstrates that Shernoff's songwriting is as topical and spot-on as ever. Ditto for the hard-rocking "Sacred Cow." "God Damn New York" is both a love letter to The Dictators' home town and a scathing indictment of corporate interests that suck the soul out of everything they touch. "All About You" is vintage Dictators, and that can only be a good thing. On the other hand, the '60s-inspired garage rocker "Really Good" shows that The Dictators have some new tricks in their bag. "Sweet Joey," a loving tribute to Joey Ramone, is a powerful album closer and formidable addition to The Dictators' body of anthems. It cannot be denied, my friends: this band still has it!   

I chose to name this blog after a Dictators song not just because "Faster and Louder" sounded cool but more so because The Dictators have always represented to me what I love best in music: catchy three-chord rock 'n' roll that's highly intelligent without ever taking itself too seriously. Without trying to turn back the clock or copy past glories, The Dictators finds this band still embodying everything that's great about rock 'n' roll. If you're expecting this to be Bloodbrothers or D.F.F.D., you're barking up the wrong tree. But if you were just hoping that The Dictators had (at least!) another great album left in them, you will not be disappointed. Vinyl and CD are coming soon!

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Monday, July 03, 2023

The Dictators - "Crazy Horses"


Yes, you read that right: it's the almighty Dictators covering The Osmonds! "Crazy Horses" is The Dictators' first new single since 2021. And honestly, it's freaking great! This is, I believe, the band's first recording to feature Keith Roth on guitar and vocals — who joins Andy Shernoff, Ross the Boss, and Albert Bouchard in this latest 'Tators lineup. This is a fantastic version of a song that was well ahead of its time five decades ago — its environmental message truly chilling in the light of the 2020s. The band sounds great, and its arrangement of the song will rock your face off. Listen to Ross the Boss tear it up on guitar like no one else can! "Crazy Horses" has been digitally packaged with three of The Dictators' greatest tracks ("Who Will Save Rock and Roll?", "New York, New York," and "Stay With Me") to form a damn fine EP that's a deal and a steal for $4. Check it out!

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Tuesday, April 20, 2021

The Dictators - "Let's Get the Band Back Together"


How great it is to live in a world in which The Dictators again exist! Having already released the anthem "God Damn New York" back in January, the recently reformed Dictators have returned with another new single that will delight longtime fans along with anyone else who truly "gets" rock and roll. Some of you may recall that Andy Shernoff released "Let's Get the Band Back Together" as a solo track back in 2012. Well, the song has been properly "Dictatorized" for re-release in 2021! One listen to this song will confirm that The Dictators are in vintage form --- rocking as hard as ever and refusing as always to to take themselves seriously. It's seems corny to call it a "comeback", so let's just say that this has been a triumphant return! And would you expect anything less from a band that made one its best albums nearly three decades into its existence? 

It has been a good news/bad news situation with The Dictators lately. While it's exciting that Andy Shernoff, Ross the Boss, and Scott Kempner (along with old pal Albert Bouchard) rebooted one of the greatest bands of all-time, Kempner is sadly leaving the group due to health reasons. He was a driving force behind the band's reunion, and to call him a legendary figure in rock and roll is no understatement. While he won't be on stage when the band returns to live shows, he will forever be a Dictator. 

2021 could end today, and we'd have to call it a good year since it gave us two great Dictators singles! Can we expect more? Stay tuned!

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Wednesday, January 20, 2021

The Dictators - "God Damn New York"


Yeah, that's right: we've got ourselves a brand new Dictators tune! "God Damn New York", the first new Dictators song in 20 years, features three-quarters of the band's original lineup (Andy Shernoff on vocals and bass, Ross the Boss on lead guitar, and Scott Kempner on guitar) along with Albert Bouchard (Blue Öyster Cult, Brain Surgeons) on drums. And as you'd expect after a two decade absence, the mighty Dictators have come roaring back with a bona fide anthem! "God Damn New York" is both a love letter to New York and a lamentation on how corporations and billionaire scum have brought ruin to so much of what once made this beloved city so great. I put this song at the same level as more recent Dictators classics like "Who Will Save Rock 'N' Roll?" and "Avenue A". Andy Shernoff has written another perfect song, which absolutely blasts thanks to mixing by the legendary Ed Stasium. This is one of the greatest bands ever in top form. Hail the mighty Dictators! 


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