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Buckeye Randy · 09-07-2024, 04:17 PM

Who: The Dictators
Title: The Dictators
Released: September 6, 2024

Normally, self-titled releases are for debut albums. This is the 6th studio release by The Dictators covering 49 years and first in 23 years, I love that it is 2024 and The Dictators have a self-titled release. It is also the 4th reset and fresh start for the band. Maybe the fourth time is a charm.

The ‘70’s saw three releases as the band had minimal personnel changes but the emphasis did shift from Andy Shernoff on lead vocals to Handsome Dick Manitoba. 1990 saw the release of “…And You?” which was under the band name Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom but contained four core members from The Dictators, (Manitoba, Shernoff, Ross ‘The Boss’, Scott ‘Top Ten’ Kempner). Those same four core members were on “D.F.F.D” which was released by The Dictators in 2001.

The new release contains two original members (Shernoff, Ross ‘The Boss’) and is balanced out with Albert Bouchard (BOC) on drums and Keith Roth on rhythm guitar and most lead vocals. When I saw the band perform earlier this year, four of their 5 previous albums plus the new one were represented. The music over the 49 years melts together seamlessly. I’m not sure if that’s a testament to consistency and greatness or just being in a really long rut!

I won’t say it again…but I hate how pre-release songs ruin the new album experience…I won’t say it. However, if I were going to mention it, I would say how four of the songs have been on streaming for quite a while and another song (slightly different version) is available at a band member site. That’s exactly half of the songs on this ten track release and oh, another track is a BOC cover which means I only get four completely new songs. The effort certainly does not have that ‘new car smell’.

The new release starts with the previously available “Let’s Get The Band Back Together” which is just such a great opener for this project. Following is “My Imaginary Friend” which by any measure qualifies as a really good song by The Dictators. Both recall the sly humor and emphasis on melody of early Shernoff songs. From this point on I will not mention humor when describing the band because The Dictators by definition are the musical equivalent of Alfed E. Newman. Their dumb guy humor is part of the charm.

“Transmaniacon MC” is up next which happens to be the first track from the first album by Blue Oyster Cult. This is a snappier and thicker version than the original. Since Albert Bouchard is one of the BOC members credited with writing the song, is it really a cover version?

So far so good and I’m going to skip straight to the final three songs which were all previously available. I’ll save the four new tracks for last.

Crunchy riff and smooth back-ups, “God Damn New York” fits the profile of a NY punk band. The song is either reminiscent or autobiographical and has the great line, “Whatever happened to my party boys, we used to make some noise”. “Thank You And Have A Nice Day” is one of the best ever by The Dictators and they know it. Why else would they close with it on their last tour? The album finishes with a sentiment titled, “Sweet Joey”. For those that need a reminder, The Dictators were side by side with The Ramones at CBGBs in the mid ‘70’s. A more mellow version of this song was released a few years ago and can be heard at Andy Shernoff’s website. This new version belongs to The Dictators mostly because of Keith Roth but Ross is a big part as well. It’s not perfect but I like it better than the previous version and I will not knock a heartfelt tribute to a fallen friend.

Sooo….we will now check out the middle four tracks which I’m hearing for the first time. “Sacred Cow” is not top shelf but is totally solid, there is nothing wrong with it at all. It’s smirk worthy that they start the chorus with, “It’s alright now” ala “Jumping Jack Flash”. This isn’t new ground, their song “It’s Alright” from “D.F.F.D” uses a riff very similar to “Satisfaction”. I’m certain neither is an accident. Ross’s guitar sound is just perfect as he does a little shredding and Keith’s vocals are totally his own. After three listens I’m really liking it. Yeah, I’m cranking it up.

“Really Good” does not sound like a typical song by The Dictators, nope. It’s the closest they have ever come to writing a campfire song but what a fun campfire it would be with Cabin A singing the back-ups. Honestly, the beginning sounds like “The Passenger” (Iggy) and then goes into something reminiscent of a Brian May strum-along from one of his solo albums. I’ll give this song a pass but it’s an odd egg on a Dictator release, the universe of music certainly is unpredictable.

“All About You” is back to being normal at least by Dictator standards. Chunky chords, ripping leads and Keith Roth doing his in key, talk-a-sing vocals. The vocals on this song and really through the entire release generally land half-way between Handsome Dick and David Johansen. I don’t see this as a problem.

I’m willing to bet Albert Bouchard wrote “Wicked Cool Disguise” because it sounds more like an early BOC song than something by The Dictators. The track has plenty of great 30 second bursts but trips a bit in the flow department. It reminds me that both bands had some common ground with songs that sounded like they were copy/pasted together and can flow awkwardly. I’ll be interested to hear what BOC fans (pre Reaper) think of this song.

I suppose most will judge this release based on how palatable they find Keith Roth’s vocals. My overall verdict is pretty darn good. The album vibe is a little uneven due to I’ve already heard three of the songs about a million times plus seen them performed live. The new material is solid but doesn’t pack an immediate ‘wow’. I will say the songs are growing on me after just a few listens but no way I can predict where the will land on my final Dict-A-Meter.

I’m giving a thumbs up, well done!

09-07-2024, 04:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
Buckeye Randy Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2024 Posts: 328	Reviews: albums or concerts Who: The Dictators Title: The Dictators Released: September 6, 2024 Normally, self-titled releases are for debut albums. This is the 6th studio release by The Dictators covering 49 years and first in 23 years, I love that it is 2024 and The Dictators have a self-titled release. It is also the 4th reset and fresh start for the band. Maybe the fourth time is a charm. The ‘70’s saw three releases as the band had minimal personnel changes but the emphasis did shift from Andy Shernoff on lead vocals to Handsome Dick Manitoba. 1990 saw the release of “…And You?” which was under the band name Manitoba’s Wild Kingdom but contained four core members from The Dictators, (Manitoba, Shernoff, Ross ‘The Boss’, Scott ‘Top Ten’ Kempner). Those same four core members were on “D.F.F.D” which was released by The Dictators in 2001. The new release contains two original members (Shernoff, Ross ‘The Boss’) and is balanced out with Albert Bouchard (BOC) on drums and Keith Roth on rhythm guitar and most lead vocals. When I saw the band perform earlier this year, four of their 5 previous albums plus the new one were represented. The music over the 49 years melts together seamlessly. I’m not sure if that’s a testament to consistency and greatness or just being in a really long rut! I won’t say it again…but I hate how pre-release songs ruin the new album experience…I won’t say it. However, if I were going to mention it, I would say how four of the songs have been on streaming for quite a while and another song (slightly different version) is available at a band member site. That’s exactly half of the songs on this ten track release and oh, another track is a BOC cover which means I only get four completely new songs. The effort certainly does not have that ‘new car smell’. The new release starts with the previously available “Let’s Get The Band Back Together” which is just such a great opener for this project. Following is “My Imaginary Friend” which by any measure qualifies as a really good song by The Dictators. Both recall the sly humor and emphasis on melody of early Shernoff songs. From this point on I will not mention humor when describing the band because The Dictators by definition are the musical equivalent of Alfed E. Newman. Their dumb guy humor is part of the charm. “Transmaniacon MC” is up next which happens to be the first track from the first album by Blue Oyster Cult. This is a snappier and thicker version than the original. Since Albert Bouchard is one of the BOC members credited with writing the song, is it really a cover version? So far so good and I’m going to skip straight to the final three songs which were all previously available. I’ll save the four new tracks for last. Crunchy riff and smooth back-ups, “God Damn New York” fits the profile of a NY punk band. The song is either reminiscent or autobiographical and has the great line, “Whatever happened to my party boys, we used to make some noise”. “Thank You And Have A Nice Day” is one of the best ever by The Dictators and they know it. Why else would they close with it on their last tour? The album finishes with a sentiment titled, “Sweet Joey”. For those that need a reminder, The Dictators were side by side with The Ramones at CBGBs in the mid ‘70’s. A more mellow version of this song was released a few years ago and can be heard at Andy Shernoff’s website. This new version belongs to The Dictators mostly because of Keith Roth but Ross is a big part as well. It’s not perfect but I like it better than the previous version and I will not knock a heartfelt tribute to a fallen friend. Sooo….we will now check out the middle four tracks which I’m hearing for the first time. “Sacred Cow” is not top shelf but is totally solid, there is nothing wrong with it at all. It’s smirk worthy that they start the chorus with, “It’s alright now” ala “Jumping Jack Flash”. This isn’t new ground, their song “It’s Alright” from “D.F.F.D” uses a riff very similar to “Satisfaction”. I’m certain neither is an accident. Ross’s guitar sound is just perfect as he does a little shredding and Keith’s vocals are totally his own. After three listens I’m really liking it. Yeah, I’m cranking it up. “Really Good” does not sound like a typical song by The Dictators, nope. It’s the closest they have ever come to writing a campfire song but what a fun campfire it would be with Cabin A singing the back-ups. Honestly, the beginning sounds like “The Passenger” (Iggy) and then goes into something reminiscent of a Brian May strum-along from one of his solo albums. I’ll give this song a pass but it’s an odd egg on a Dictator release, the universe of music certainly is unpredictable. “All About You” is back to being normal at least by Dictator standards. Chunky chords, ripping leads and Keith Roth doing his in key, talk-a-sing vocals. The vocals on this song and really through the entire release generally land half-way between Handsome Dick and David Johansen. I don’t see this as a problem. I’m willing to bet Albert Bouchard wrote “Wicked Cool Disguise” because it sounds more like an early BOC song than something by The Dictators. The track has plenty of great 30 second bursts but trips a bit in the flow department. It reminds me that both bands had some common ground with songs that sounded like they were copy/pasted together and can flow awkwardly. I’ll be interested to hear what BOC fans (pre Reaper) think of this song. I suppose most will judge this release based on how palatable they find Keith Roth’s vocals. My overall verdict is pretty darn good. The album vibe is a little uneven due to I’ve already heard three of the songs about a million times plus seen them performed live. The new material is solid but doesn’t pack an immediate ‘wow’. I will say the songs are growing on me after just a few listens but no way I can predict where the will land on my final Dict-A-Meter. I’m giving a thumbs up, well done!