Album Reviews

Album Reviews: No, Virginia... by The Dresden Dolls

There's something seductively evil about Dresden Dolls' latest album No Virginia. It's not some kind of ode to Satan or anything like that, rather, it's a collection of unreleased tracks and b-sides so good that holding out on them was a sinister move on the band's part. The opening track, "Dear Jenny," combines a stomping piano melody, pounding rhythm and huge chorus for one of Dresden's most downright catchy offerings. Amanda Palmer's voice takes center stage bouncing from a walloping yell to an almost cute croon. On "Night Reconaissance," Amanda relays a tale of stealing garden gnomes and running from the cops over a strangely syncopated beat courtesy of drummer Brian Viglione.

The Boston duo also turn up the heat on speedy tracks like "Lonesome Organist Rapes Page Turner." Despite its utterly macabre title, the song conveys a deliciously happy vibe, playing on the humor that's made the Dresden Dolls' self-proclaimed "Punk Cabaret" so appealing to everyone from fans of musicals to diehard metalheads. Lastly, album closer, "Boston," delves into the dark heart of the band's city. It's a slow, brooding number based around bent minor chords and a creeping drum beat. Amanda nearly lets loose a tear on the bridge, and the song simply bleeds pain all over the piano. Some of the album's mid-section does blend together a little too much, but the standout tracks mentioned pack such a punch that it doesn't even matter.

No Virginia is so good you'll cry in anticipation for another Dresden Dolls release.

--Rick Florino
05.23.08