Monday 13 May 2013

The Dresden Dolls

I absolutely effing love the Dresden Dolls.  They are sublime.

Amanda Palmer's wailing vocals and off-key piano playing may not be for everyone but to me they embody everything I love about 'weird' music.  Weird means different, means like nothing you've heard before.  It means original and unique, and that's what I look for in a band.

Their début album - my favourite - ranges from the manic silliness of Girl Anachronism and Coin-Operated Boy to the sad, soulful vulnerability of Half Jack, with Palmer's fun and poetic lyrics often touching on something deep, dark and disturbing - like in the troubling Slide.

Brian Viglione's drumming is punchy and imaginative, keeping the songs strong and surprising. The two elements of the band work together perfectly and it's a testament to their genius that they can achieve so complete a sound without guitar or bass players.

Dresden Dolls' mix of cabaret, twisted classical crescendo and punk makes for fresh and beautiful listening.  Their self-titled first album is one of those records that comprises brilliant songs but also comes together as a whole to create a work of art; a sepia-toned, Plath-inspired, pain-tinged, musically accomplished masterpiece that never fails to touch and engage me.

I know a lot of people won't like this album - it's definitely a grower - but I think it's awesome and everyone should give them a listen.

This is a song from their second album, which is creeping ever closer to the first's top spot the more I listen to it, as it has some wonderful songs on it.  Delilah has been a favourite for a while.

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