The Dictators were one of the great rock 'n' roll bands of the '70s. Everyone in downtown New York City knew this from the start, and while The Ramones rightfully went on to their place in history, The Dictators have been saved for the cognoscenti. It's a shame, since there's nothing high-falutin' about these rock 'n' roll boys. They're funny and irreverent, with songs packed with pop hooks and courageous guitar solos. This 15-track live album is essential, even if some have questioned its sound quality. Any album with "The Next Big Thing," "Science Gone Too Far," and "Weekend" as the opening trio is a step above all else. Recorded on Feb. 11, 1981, with a few bonus tracks added from the early '80s, New York New York takes The Dictators out of a sterile studio environment and puts them in front of a live audience. This encourages the band to play harder, louder, and faster, with an enthusiasm the studio clock never demands.