I first met Amanda Palmer eight years ago. After seeing her firstperform at piano in her parents house with a small crowd gatheredaround, I knew she could be a star. After seeing the Dolls perform justover a week ago, I was completely wrong. Amanda Palmer is beyondpotential star, she is the next rock and roll savior. It didn't comewithout the addition of a fantastic drummer she found in BrianViglione. After years of seeing Palmer play solo, the change iscompletely evident as the crowds are now staggering (a sold outcapacity of Middle East downstairs is 575 people and their show waspretty damned close), many of which are singing along and rolling inthe joy. A full-length record is now in its final stages beforerelease, but until then, this CD is a perfect way to catch up on thebest of the last couple years. It consists of 11 popular crowdfavorites, recorded in concert venues both large and small, rehearsalspaces, and radio station studios. Palmer doesn't simply play thepiano, she makes it her bitch, and Viglione's drum work is tactfullyrefined and carefully reserved, playing off Palmer's tight-stopping andsassy cues which change their mind like the most stereotypical womanwould demand you to allow. The songs are always entertaining, farbeyond expectation in every way, both in their off-kilter rhythmicmotives and peculiar subject matter, owing as much to theatricalcabaret-type tunes as to the Pink Dots. Sure, she sings about love, butI'm sure these songs are all purely fiction from the mind of a dreamerwho sleeps with a notepad by the bed. "Bank of Boston Beauty Queen" isan autobiographical reflection on growing up a goth teen, "ChristopherLydon" is the story of Palmer's obsession with a former local NPRcelebrity, and the deep, direct power of "Will," with strings added issensationally appetite-wetting for the full-length record (especiallywith the lyric, "I don't mind if you read while I'm coming!"). As thisdisc collects recordings from a number of sources, the sound is,expectedly inconsistent, but fear not, this will be a much sought afteritem in the years to come.Read More
