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Title: No Virginia
Artist: The Dresden Dolls
Genre: Punk Cabaret
Release Date: 16th May 2008
Label: Roadrunner Records



Introduction


In 2002, Brian and Amanda met on the party of a friend where Amanda presented some of her self-composed songs. Brian was instantly hooked by them and so they decided to make music together. THE DRESDEN DOLLS quickly grew up to local heroes in the scene of Boston. Shortly after that, the two went on tour with THE LEGENDARY PINKDOTS and JANE’S ADDICTION. Their uncommon style of music mixing Cabaret with Punk, Rock, Pop and sometimes strange appearing lyrics found more and more listeners and in 2004, the first self-titled debut was released. ‘Is there a Santa-Clause’, asked the little Virginia O’Hanlon in her letter to the New York Sun in 1897. ‘Yes Virginia’ was the answer and also the title of the second album which saw the light of day in 2006. 


Line-up

Amanda Palmer - Lead Vocals, Piano
Brian Viglione - Drums, Guitars, Bass, Vocals


Website

http://www.dresdendolls.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/dresdendolls


Track Review

01. Dear Jenny - 3:08
Let’s take a look in the madhouse where “Ashley talks to astronauts back home by way of fax transmission” and “Andy gets a new tattoo each time he gets back bathroom privilege”. The spelling of privilege brought me to a drink called privilege Hennessey. Probably has nothing to do with that song, but I found the strange coincidence interesting. The song starts right away with diverse and vital drum play and Amanda’s distinct voice going through pitches.

02. Night Reconnaissance - 3:56
At first I thought that this must be the story of a very poor kid. These are bad memories of an obviously not so funny childhood and later we learn that a move script was created out of it but “No one has bought the rights yet” but as we all know suffering always sells. People still judge other people by their clothes, their appearance and think they have the right to make their life a living hell. The band continues to waste no time with long-stretched introductions and starts with the full drum-set and chant with very energetic piano play by Amanda.

03. The Mouse and the Model - 6:02
But on this song they go down another road. The song is evolving through different stages starting with melancholic piano intro followed by fragile appearing chant and bass chords emerging in a very powerful ballad with diversified drums, which still bears that feeling of melancholy in it and I have to say hat I really love the piano parts in this track and I could listen to them forever.  

04. Ultima Esperanza - 4:33
The song appears to tell some kind of love story starring a nerdy guy and a girl who lost both her legs in a car accident and who is waiting for someone to take her away. They don’t seem to have met before or seen each others face, only her name is mentioned: Ultima. The song itself is a bit faster regarding the drum play and shows Brian maltreating his drums like a virtuoso. Amanda adds her wonderful piano melodies and voice and the result is a very emotional song telling a story differing quite a bit from the normal stuff you usually hear.

05. The Gardner - 5:09
I’m finding it quite difficult to tell what this song is actually about but the song spreads such an intense feeling of hopelessness that it can’t be a happy story it is telling. Nothing will get better, so accept the role you’re born into because “This is as good as it will get”. Beginning just with a slow drumbeat, bass and a whispering chant. The song could stay that way, because it creates already a strong mood within this early second but to go one better the piano is also added and the changing vocal style causes goose bumps.

06. Lonesome Organist rapes Page-Turner - 3:42
You should have seen the expression on my face, when I read that song title for the first time. Must have looked very strange, but that song title isn’t exactly what I would call normal. There’s already a little Wordplay in it and as I didn’t know the term “page turner” I did a little bit of recherché work and found out that this is an idiom for a very captivating book. The song title is therefore as crazy as its composers. The song is by far the fastest on the album. It’s like a theatre play. One time you hear the organist, and then it’s the turner again.

07. Sorry Bunch - 3:10
To me this song has very much pop appeal and as all the other songs on the album, this one’s telling a story as well, a story of a strange couple, a ‘Sorry Bunch’ so to say that counter points the rather uplifting arrangement.

08. Pretty in Pink - 3:57
Some might remember the same-titled motion picture from the mid 80s which is about teenage love and social cliques in 1980s high schools. The original of this song was written by THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS and was the title song of this popular movie. For the first (and only) time on the album, a harmonium was integrated in addition to the piano, bass and drums and it adds a certain ‘French’ punch touch to it.

09. The Kill - 3:49
The two dolls have a penchant for sarcasm and this comes out in this song pretty well with a few digs on the American culture like “Put Pat Sajak back in office” is in my opinion  a play with the extraordinary entertainment the Americans gain out of politics. Want an example, just look at the vote spectacle which is already taking place for a few months (Pat Sajak was the host of the Wheel of Fortune Show btw) the song is full of that kind of sarcastic comments and I just love it. The music delivers a pretty good mixture of playful drum and piano parts with Amanda’s powerful voice on top of it.

10. The Sheep Song - 3:59
Do you remember those lovely little songs, your mother was singing at your bed to lull you into sleep. Then you already get a good impression of how this song sounds like a nursery rhyme Amanda’s performing the vocals, very restrained and gentle while she’s accompanied by the piano. The song is very calm most of the time but there are some breakouts, where a powerful drum part comes in before the song falls back into melancholy again. Love this song and also the lyrics, being open for interpretations so everyone’s going to find his own meaning in the words regardless of their true meaning which only the artist knows.

11. Boston - 7:20
Right now, I’m thinking this song’s about two people who have been in a relationship for many years but still seem to get back together checking up on their love lives and they obviously both had a vital love life “ I had Julia’s and Steve’s, you had Juliettes and Jeanette’s” but in Boston, they town which they both love and which is to the hometown of the band by the way, all those things seem irrelevant… I never expected to hear a Jazz song on the album, no that’s not correct it’s actually not Jazz, but it has a Jazzy feeling to it and it could be played at a small club with dimmed lights, Amanda on the piano and Brian at the drums. Would be a pretty good location to present that song I guess. The song is very slow with gentle drumming, wonderful piano lines and a great voice. What else do you need?


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 9
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 9


Conclusion

I never heard a DRESDEN DOLLS album before, but I will keep an eye out for the upcoming releases after this album. Both Brian and Amanda are great musicians, maybe a bit freaky but if you want normal people you can get a bunch of them on the streets. The lyrics of the songs are sounding very crazy sometimes but if you take your time and listen to them more closely, they can reveal a serious core. Read between the lines. The music with its main ingredients, the drums and the piano shows much diversity and moves through different moods just take a short listen and you might be surprised. The album is a definitive buy for all the fans but I’m sure they will also get new fans. You just can’t resist that unique musical mixture.

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