Do yourself a big favour...
Fishbonealice | Belfast, Japan | 05/06/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It has been the best part of 30 years since this album was originally released. It is astonishing that a record of this quality has taken so long to get a re-release. Doll By Doll were, without question, the most visceral, stunning band I ever witnessed live. They were brutal and uncompromising - which may go some way in explaining their failure to succeed. They simply wouldn't follow the crowd or pander to the ridiculously influential (and, in hindsight, incrediby shallow and conceited) English music press. It's a pity, as if ever a band deserved a wider audience it was Doll By Doll.
The key to the album is, of course, singer Jackie Leven, a man with the voice of an angel and a devil wrapped in one. His voice soars and swoops, passionate and beautiful. His songs are just wonderful. Just marvel at The Human Face, Stripshow or Hey Sweetheart and feel your blood rise at finding trhis marvellous record. But this is no solo effort. The band is pugnacious and powerful, with second guitarist Jo Shaw complementing Leven wonderfully.
Do yourself a big favour and buy this cd today. It marches over the majority of rock music with Jackie's big gaffer taped boots. essential."
Far distant chimes
Pablo De Sevilla | Dallas, TX USA | 07/01/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Doll by Doll -- what a band. Even today, reading the reviews of this and their other re-releases, they still divide opinions viscerally. 30 years after its first release this is still a remarkably, fresh, totally original album. I have a marginal preference for their 3rd album (Doll by Doll) but this one has many, many highs: Stripshow, Highland Rain, Forbidden Worlds. The Human Face is an amazing piece of poetry and music. If you "get them", Doll By Doll and Jackie Leven (now making fine albums solo) will forever be a treasured part of your musical life. If you don't get them ... well, in my view, that's your loss.
Great to have the albums on CD and sounding better than ever. Start with this and Doll by Doll, then go on to Remember, then on to Grand Passion and Jackie's solo work."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1