And if you dig that Beantown-based Brechtian punk cabaret act, then you undoubtedly dig its very fetching frontwoman, one Amanda Palmer. She, along with her Dresden Dolls partner in chime ,Brian Viglione, has spent the last eight years or so delivering some of the most stirring sounds in the spectrum.
With the recent release of Who Killed Amanda Palmer?, now youve got a chance to dig the Doll baby even more. A long-playing concoction of lust, larceny, and other loveable illicits, Palmers first solo outing finds her in the company of Ben Folds, who wrote Amanda a fan letter and ended up becoming her producer. As you might suspect from such a pairing, theyve come up with a terrifically crafty collection of hummable smartness, and if the airwaves would brighten up, itd be blaring from every radio and television set in the world.
The thing is, the airwaves havent brightened up a bit. In fact, it seems theyve even dimmed some, at least in Merry Ol England, where the video of Palmers lead single Oasis has just been blacklisted. Seems the BBC and their buddies believe that Oasis makes light of rape, religion and abortion." Granted, the songs swing is uncommonly upbeat considering the subject. But to hear the way the narrator finds solace in an autographed picture from her favorite band is to hear heartbreak itself. Still, since Palmer refused to turn the tune into a literal tearjerker, those tweedy thought police stepped in and silenced her.
Well, they tried to silence her, anyway. If youre among the outcasts, misfits, oddballs and walk-alones that comprise Palmers rabid and ever-widening fan base, you know she shall not be shut up. Ever.
Tonight South Florida will be blessed with Amanda Palmer sitting all alone at the piano and singing songs from her solo LP. Of course, there will also be favorites from the Dresden Dolls and an odd assortment of covers, not least of which will be Rodgers and Hammersteins Whats the Use of Wondrin. And unless you truly dont dig yourself, youll be there, front and center, reveling in the wonder of one of our planets most digable creations
Sat., March 28, 8 p.m., 2009