So here I am stuck at home on a snow day once again while New England gets walloped with even more snow that we have nowhere to put! While a snow day might seem like a godsend, there's no such thing as a free ride, and I'll be cursing it come June when I have to make it up.
To drive back the indoor wintertime blues, I'm listening to the latest solo recording from Amanda Palmer, who's also half of the Dresden Dolls, and more recently half of Evelyn Evelyn. The album, Amanda Palmer Goes Down Under, was completely written and recorded in Australia and New Zealand (hence the album's title), with some tracks coming from the studio, and others from live shows.
If you haven't heard Amanda Palmer (or her many projects) before, she's entertaining as hell. She reminds me a lot of Nellie McKay: her music has got a light, playful romp about it, much of it on piano, with a cutting whit and sharp zig-zags that will leave you wondering what could possibly come out of her mouth next. Put it this way: not many artists can sing a song named Vegemite (the Black Death) and pull it off!
Honestly, the album's full of some gems, and in some ways it reminds me of the Ben Folds Five album Naked Baby Photos in its levity. (Incidentally, Palmer has worked with Folds a bit) If you haven't seen it yet, another great track from the album has been featured in a rather scandalously revealing video!
Musically the album works, and humor-wise it strikes just the right chord. Check out a selection of Palmer tracks below, and then get the album, which you can purchase for the ridiculous price of .69 cents digitally from her website!
Amanda Palmer - The Ship Song (Nick Cave cover) : Amanda Palmer Goes Down Under
Amanda Palmer - Creep (Radiohead cover, hungover At Soundcheck In Berlin) : Amanda Palmer Plays...
Evelyn Evelyn - My Space : Evelyn Evelyn
The Dresden Dolls - Pretty In Pink (Psychedelic Furs cover) : High School Reunion - a tribute to those great 80's films!
15 comments:
Amanda Palmer has done some pretty sweet stuff with Jason Webley... haven't experienced her sans Jason but sounds good!
Also, specifically "F*ck tha police" with Webley and Palmer is a RIOT! I was listening to it earlier today. Glad I can pass it on so smoothly! Enjoy.
Thanks anon, I'll be sure to check it out once I'm done going through the 475+ emails in my inbox from being away for the last 5 days. (or maybe while to give me some juice)
Well... why not just fly over to Austrilia? Then you can catch them both performing together! (and avoid the emails) Plus, you'll get an extra "evelyn" for your effort! Just sayin.
I'd absolutely love to, and I will once I receive the ticket you're gonna send my way! In the meantime, I'll have to settle for what I can find for free online!
Shrug. It was just a thought. Not an offer! Sorry!
If you change your mind, let me know!
Some decisions are beyond our control, such as this! I wouldn't hold your breath.
p.s. have you heard the version with peaches?
Just watched it now. I'm gonna have to say I like the original better.
BTW, another good video of a song from this album is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9WZtxRWieM
I liked it better too even though I dig Peaches.
As for the video... another with spot on lyrics. Not a word I didn't feel. I lose my wallet a lot. I want a garden. I have little disapline. Maybe she is my soul mate in a non-lesbian way.
Also, am I completely screwing up for thinking she was going to hang herself when she got to the top?? Probably.
I didn't think of the hanging possibility, I figured she was putting herself up on a pedestal.
Most sane people probably would see that... oops.
Love this record. Although the WKAP one she did with Ben Folds is incredible. I love that man!
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