David Johansen

David Johansen's 1982 live album Live It Up gained the former New York Dolls frontman some well-deserved radio and MTV airplay for his medley of a trio of hits by the Animals, but it wasn't enough to keep him from being dropped by the CBS-distributed Blue Sky label, and he cut his fifth solo set Sweet Revenge for an independent label. While Johansen and co-producer Joe Delia built most of the songs on Sweet Revenge around synthesizers, the album's sleek sound unexpectedly agreed with Johansen's tough but emotive vocal style, and the album's insistent pulse on tunes like "Big Trouble" and "Heard the News" feels like a nod to the electronic hip-hop sounds that were sweeping New York City in 1984 (when this was recorded), while "King of Babylon" is a more explicit homage to rap, with Johansen sounding more than comfortable dropping rapid-fire braggadocio. Johansen also makes room for his more contemplative side on "I Ain't Workin' Anymore" and "In My Own Time," as well as cutting loose with the rock & roll on "Too Many Midnights," and while the set closer "N.Y. Doll" is a disappointment (and has nothing to do with his old band), overall this was Johansen's most personal and reflective album since his 1978 solo debut, and boasted a gutsy immediacy that most of his previous solo work lacked. Keep an ear peeled for backing vocals by future Bruce Springsteen bandmate and domestic partner Patti Scialfa. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide