Yes Virginia - Dresden Dolls (The)

First off, a bit of background information about the band. The Dresden Dolls are a piano and drums duo from Boston, made up of Amanda Palmer (vocals, piano, songwriting) and Brian Viglione (drums). They've managed to create a their very own trademark style, even coining the genre Brechtian Punk Cabaret. Which is about the best way one can describe them. After getting the Dresden Doll's debut album, I couldn't wait for the release of the follow-up ...
...A highly eccentric, catchy, up-tempo song that attempts to draw a parallel between sex change operations and the way that actually having sex can change a person. So strange, that it actually works! A fantastic opener. Key lyric: "They always said that sex would change you." Rating: 5/5. 02. Backstabber. A very tuneful, melodic song (probably the most 'poppy' on the album, but I don't think that's a criticism). It builds up very nicely... getting ...

queentakesjack 02.06.2007 (09.04.2006) · Read full review
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Review of Yes Virginia - Dresden Dolls (The)

The Dresden Dolls self titled debut album was a real burst of adrenaline in the stagnant alternative music scene; it's combination of raunchy yet raw lyrics with powerful drums and crazy piano melodies made it a very unforgettable listen, an album that I shall take to my grave as one of my all time favourites. So when I got the follow up album 'Yes Virginia' for my last birthday, I was curious, excited and even a little sceptical; I'd never heard ...
...of what I was going to be gracing my ears with. Then, their was my ever present bout of cynicism that doubted that the band could make a second album with at least the same amount of promise and aptitude as their first. How wrong could I possibly have been? The album starts with 'Sex Changes', a positively wacky bundle of energy in it's self. Aggressive with amusingly true lyrics (as you often find with the Dolls), it was a great way for the second ...

MizzMolko 25.06.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Yes Virginia - Dresden Dolls (The)

...But enough pretext. Yes Virginia is the second album, and differs so much from the first, comparing the two would be a bit pointless, so this review is directed at this album alone. Despite the minimalistic set up, the sound is very clear, and every song sounds as though there is so much more going on than just drums and piano. The tracks are put in a good order - starting with the loud and energetic, and eventually ending in the calm, yet rousing ...
...a track by track review: 1. Sex Changes - This is close to the sound of the original albums sound. Stop start, angry, and it keeps you hooked with threatening menace rather than outright agression. Listen out for the lyrics - the title is deliberately misleading. 9/10 2. Backstabber - Rather more anthemic than anything else on the album, it is a straightforward song that does what it says on the tin, and makes good use of Amanda's and Brian's vocals. ...

badongism 06.09.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Yes Virginia - Dresden Dolls (The)

The Dresden Dolls are Amanda Palmer (lead vocals and piano) and Brian Vigilone (vocals, drums and guitar). They describe their style as ‘Brechtian punk cabaret’, and with dark lyrics and a piano, this is a rather accurate description. ‘Yes, Virginia’ (which is named after the article in the New York Sun which responded to the question ‘Is there a Santa Claus?’ with the answer ‘Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus’) was originally released in 2006 ...
...The album has some key differences from The Dresden Dolls self-titled previous album. In a way it seems a lot more mature as there is less of the bizarre punk cabaret listeners became accustomed to in the previous album. Instead of featuring tracks which are more like darker children’s stories, this album seems a lot easier to relate to. In ‘Yes, Virginia’ Amanda and Brian attempt to tackle a lot of serious issues. This is shown in the amazing and ...

xradishx 19.04.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Yes Virginia - Dresden Dolls (The)

After hearing a lot of songs from the Dresden Dolls' first self-titled album, I decided that it would be a crime not to listen to "Yes, Virginia...", an album that derives its name from a letter written from a young girl, Virginia O' Hanlon, asking if there is a Santa Claus. Beautifully, the reply explains that as long as people believe in Santa, he will exist. The letter can be found on the Dresden Dolls' website, in the bio section. The album ...
...the first track; Sex Changes, a song that seems to explore both Sex Changes and abortion at the same time. There are also slower tracks, such as Delilah, a song about a woman subjected to domestic violence. These songs are filled with just as much emotion and double meanings as the faster tracks. All in all, this is an amazingly individual album, packed with excitement and meaning. It is emotionally charged all the way through. Top 3 songs? "Backstabber", ...

realxpainxtheory 29.04.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Yes Virginia - Dresden Dolls (The)

The Dresden Dolls are a great band, very unique and quite funny at times! Their song 'Sex Changes' is quite amusing, I love singing it and seeing how people give me weird looks! I love their style of music as it is unlike any other bands I have heard. The lyrics are very original and the quality of this CD is very high. It is a great value for money and a must listen. The album art is quite good, with interesting pictures. The album cover is a ...

albal123 24.06.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Yes Virginia - Dresden Dolls (The)