The Dictators - Viva Dictators

C'mon - it's the Dictators - I don't really have to convince you to buy this, do I? This is the band recorded in their home town of New York at two locations - Maxwell's and the Bowery Ballroom - doing songs spanning most of their career - oddly, nothing from Manifest Destiny.

But, they know what the fans want, from their best tunes off of Go Girl Crazy! to newer numbers like "Who Will Save Rock'n'Roll", "I Am Right" and "Avenue A". Bloodbrothers is also represented with its best, "Minnesota Strip", "Baby Let's Twist" and "Stay With Me". Even Manitoba's Wild Kingdom (which was almost the Dics, anyway) makes appearances with "New York, New York" and "Haircut and Attitude".

The sound is superb, the energy astounding, the singing is even better than the studio recordings in most instances and, of course, the music is terrific. Not a lot of chatter, though, which is too bad as Manitoba is a great comedian, but for pure r'n'r this can't be beat. Get it!