Customer Reviews

Valley of the Dolls

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Valley of the Dolls is a very glam tainted and romantic early 70's sounding record. It has Sweet and Mott the Hoople written all over it. No wonder b/c it was produced by Ian Hunter. This type of "dreamer" record fit GenX very well; their first record was a similiar slice of thrash punk about the streets/ladies/drugs/violence. This one really knocks it up w/ big/dramatic production and hard rock guitars ("Night of the Cadillacs" and "Love Like Fire" are some of the most pumping things I've ever heard) There's also the epic delicate ballad: "Prime of Kenny Silvers". I remember growing up and getting lost in the headphones w/"Kenny Silvers." This is one of the few 'real' albums that came out of the UK punk period. Definitely THE most profound thing Billy Idol's ever done

All in all, this disc is a fairly good representation of the original album. No problems there. If you liked this album, and only care about the songs that make it up, then this CD is well worth the price, as it's been cleaned up and sounds a lot better than your scratchy old LP will.

No, my gripe here is wih one of the "bonus" tracks. There is a real mystery going on, concerning the song Gimme Some Truth, and as this album is playing a part in that mystery, it's worth noting here.

Why is the song Gimme Some Truth being released ONLY in the live version from the Radio One sessions? I purchased the original Generation X album, and was quite annoyed to find that this track, the one that originally opened the album, was completely missing.

Furthermore, after purchasing all of the compilation discs currently on sale, such as "Perfect Hits" and "Anthology" in the hopes of getting the missing track, I was absolutely horrified to find out that they also use the live track, rather than the original album track.

After the anger and frustration I felt at being cheated yet again, I saw the song was listed here, on Valley Of The Dolls, with the footnote that this was the "b-side" to king rocker. At last, I thought, they've finally done it - they've finally released it - and it's even labeled as such. This has to be it.

So, I buy it.

But, what do I get, after plunking down the cost and waiting for delivery? The live version, yet again. Not the album version, not the actual b-side to king rocker, and not the track as advertised, no - the track listing they present here is a lie. An utter, and absolute lie, and frankly, someone should lose their job over this. Either someone was so clueless that they allowed product to go out mis-marked, or they simply didn't care that the information was false.

What has happened to this song? Where is it? Where do I go to buy it? I've tried to do just that, at least three times now with no success. I want the version that opened Generation X, the album, which starts with a drumbeat, and doesn't have someone talking over the end of it. That's the one listed on the label, that's the one that was "b-side" to king rocker, and that's the one that should have been provided.

It's wrong.

Give me the album I paid for.

Waited many years for a CD release with bonus tracks. The original release with no bonus tracks was found at Half.com for about $30, thus this price is excellent. A real rocking song is "Night of the Cadillacs", covered by the L.A. Guns on one of their albums called "Cuts".Overall, not a bad song on the disc. I bought the album in 1980 and still have it although it's fairly worn out. Billy Idol actually called Robert Plant and Led Zep has beens when he was about 20 years old. Now Billy is staring down the barrel of 50 years old. This is his best.

Matching or even improving on their debut album was a tall order for Generation X. Unfortunately, they weren't quite able to fill it with "Valley of the Dolls". Still, there are some great tracks on this CD, including "Running with the Boss Sound", "Night of the Cadallacs", "King Rocker", "English Dream", and, my favorite "Love Like Fire". Guitarist Bob Andrews reveals a knack for catchy, rock star-approved riffs and solos while producer Ian Hunter wisely keeps things raw and direct while improving on the overall sound of the first album.

The remaining tracks are merely okay, in my opinion. "Kenny Silvers" displays epic aspirations that unfortunately fall well short of greatness. It seems like Billy Idol says the guy's name about 80 times through the course of the song. "Paradise West", meanwhile, sounds like a prototype for an '80's power ballad. The title track is catchy enough, but ultimately lightweight.

Pick up their debut album or Perfect Hits first. Then, consider adding Valley of the Dolls to you collection. It's well worth it.

This album gets bashed constantly and I can't figure out why. Wtf is wrong with you people. This was one of their best albums bar effing none!! People call it too commercial. Bs!! To me commercial is selling a ton of records and having your songs beaten to death from being overplayed. Did this album sound polished? Hell yeah!! Did it rock? Hell effin yeah!! Running with the boss sound, night of the cadillacs, english dream, love like fire, and prime of kenny silvers are the best songs on this album. Valley of the dolls, fridays angels, and king rocker are decent. Lastly paradise west is a slower ballady type song that grows on you. To me, the first album was great, but a little rough around the edges. Valley of the dolls is a culmination of them playing better, the album being produced better, cleaner sounding, and still sounding raw and kicking ass. Tell me if your driving with night of the cadillacs cranking that your gas pedal wouldn't be buried?? LOVE THIS ALBUM!!!!!!!!!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS ALBUM TO ANYONE WITH A DECENT EAR FOR MUSIC!!!!!!

You can't talk about Punk Rock and overlook the contributions of Generation X. Most will instantly recognize a fresh faced Billy Idol who was all of about 17 years of age at the time of the bands first release.Although "Valley of the Dolls" contains some great tracks (King Rocker, Night of the Cadillacs, Kenny Silvers etc.)and shows some growth and sophistication in the bands writting ability I would recommend the bands debut release (Generation-x) as a proper introduction to the bands music and old school punk. You just can't overlook Generation-X classics like "Kiss me Deadly, 100 Punks and Ready Steady Go!". However, the Bonus track of the Who's "Shakin All Over" on Valley of the dolls CD will be enough for some to make this album a worthy purchase. Although I recommend this album, I would suggest those unfamiliar with Generation X check out the "Perfect Hits" CD first.

NOTE: "Shakin all over" is also available on a rare CD called "The Idol Generation"

Comparing this record to their first release is like comparing Chicago 17 to Chicago's first record. Only it took Chicago many years to devolve into an offensively lame studio machination with an over-elevated singer that just sounds pathetic.

What happened to Bob Andrews excellent, raw, powerful, slashing guitar sound? On this release he sounds like a second rate studio fill in. No wonder he and the drummer left the band so soon. Billy Idol on the loose is enough to frighten anyone away... far away.

I'm not sure who is to blame, I'm sure there plenty to go around, but this band ceased to exist on this record and thankfully broke up officially too. I guess there were some guys interested in being in a rock band and other guys striving to be on MTV. How sad.

All of the energy, honesty and innovation that graced their first release has completely evaporated. I can think of no redeeming qualities present in this effort, it's just really really horrible. King Rocker is the only track that doesn't make me actively nauseus.

Compared to the First Generation X album..which is a punk rock classic... this album blows big time...

as a matter of fact..compared to anything good...this album blows..

don't waste your time..

I hated this album when it was released... and I still can't stand it...

The First Generation X album was awesome though..and still is...