Too Much Too Soon

New York Dolls

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1974
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B000001FNS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #173,940 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The louder, clearer sound afforded by producer Shadow Morton makes the Dolls come on even brasher on their second and last album. In Too Much Too Soon finds their mix of aggression and humor intact--not just "in spite of" an increased reliance on covers, either, because David Johansen's taste in remakes expresses a lot about this music nut's crazed, loving worldview. Who else in '70s rock could make a wacked-out doo wop novelty like "Stranded in the Jungle" into an important personal statement? The Stones' late-'74 slopbucket take on "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" suggests that they'd heard the Dolls rewire the Philly-soul "Showdown." And while few of the punks who followed were to make as deep as claim on reality as the buzzsawing "Human Being" does, though many were to chip off pieces of the manic "Who Are the Mystery Girls?" --Rickey Wright

Product Description

Limited edition Japanese pressing has been remastered and comes packaged in a miniature LP sleeve. Mercury. 2006. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As classic as the debut, why is this out of print?, July 24, 2005

By	TimothyFarrell22 (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

A lot of covers, but thats not a bad thing. "Too Much Too Soon" is as great as the first Dolls LP, and certainly needs to be reissued. There is certainly a better production, with cleaner guitars, and female backing vocals. This may not be a good representation of what the Dolls sounded like live, but its still sleazy as hell. Its dangerous but fun and soulful, like all good rock 'n' roll should be. Theres a perfect balance of originals and covers, which prove the Dolls know their roots. David Johansen obviously has an incredible knowledge of popular music of the last fifty years. This is what Malcolm McLaren wanted the Sex Pistols to sound like. Like the Velvet Underground, the Dolls where way too different to be appreciated by the music-buying public of the time. Only as time passed on and the bands cult grew where they proven to be one of the most influential bands of the decade.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Party time!, November 7, 2005

By	A. Traveler - See all my reviews

I love this album, not because of its stellar musicianship or sterling
production values, but because of its *attitude*: there's a party goin'
on, and guess who's there? David Johansen and his pals!

Let's get completely wasted! Let's dress in drag! Let's pull out my old
record collection and play a whacked-out version of "Stranded in the Jungle"!
Hey, everyone join in on the chorus! It just keeps getting weirder and more
wonderful as the night goes on. Then after everyone leaves, you can almost
imagine having to pick up the empty booze bottles and cigarettes ground into
the carpet, wondering "who were those people, anyway?"

A wonderfully demented confection, served with a healthy dose of humor.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Guilty Pleasure, June 16, 2006

By	Katherine McCarthy "kath e. miller" (Forest Hills, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While not the rock milestone as the NY Dolls' debut, Too Much Too Soon is an essential addition. The cover songs are as much about who the Dolls were as the originals - Stranded in the Jungle is a loopy chestnut that was a blast on stage as the band imitated the monkey house in Central Park. Showdown was grungy soul strut, Philly by way of the #7 subway line. Human Being remains one of my favorite Dolls songs, an anthem and reaffirmation. Johnny Thunders' recycled Chatterbox under a variety of names and lyrics, but this is the definitive version. Shadow Morton producing is an obvious nod to the godfather of the Shangrilas - where do you think the "When I say I'm in love, you best believe I'm in love - L-U-V" came from in the middle of Trash came from? Not to mention the Dolls (later JT's) great cover of Give Him a Great Big Kiss. They belong together! The Dolls benefit from the sound clarity, bringing their chaos right up front and personal. To "get" the Dolls you need #1, Too Much Too Soon, Hard Night's Day, LAMF, Johnny's So Alone & Que Sera Sera. They really were too much too soon - you still hear them all over nuevo garage rock & punk. RIP JT, Jerry, Arthur & Billy.