'08's Music to Love More Than Music: Love, Pt. 10

Love (<)
Dresden Dolls - No, Virginia
A B-sides collection that is nothing to be snubbed at. I've always felt a little guilty liking the Dresden Dolls, because, in the end, their existence is 1/2 great music, 1/2 gimmick. To some extent, I don't like that they do what they do in the way they do (gimmick), but it would be wrong for me to say that I don't respect their ability to play out the characters they do. The main reason they're a guilty pleasure is because back in high school a lot of kids thought they could gain popularity by having certain problems with their mental stability. In short, they thought crazy was cool. Crazy is not cool, it's sad and painful for everyone involved, so to glamorize it is ignorant and offensive. I think that the Dresden Dolls could be accused of doing just this, and banking on teenagers who feel they can compare. I do not think that the Dresden Dolls actually do this. I think the lyrics that talk about painful things are actually coming from a very genuine place. This release is not filled with very many stellar songs, but the few that are amazing just blow me away. (see original review)
The Dresden Dolls - Lonesome Organist Rapes Page-Turner

Spiritualized - Songs in A&E
I liked this album a lot more when I first heard it. I found myself skipping to the tracks I liked most than just letting it ride through. Like, I said before, it's a dark album, and it's very smart. (see original review)
Spiritualized - Death Take Your Fiddle

The Flaming Lips - Christmas On Mars
Soundtrack to the best Christmas movie ever. I'm certain you've heard too much about this by now, so I'll keep it short: It is ambient and nothing like the Flaming Lips other albums. It's a soundtrack, thus incidental music. If it's interesting to you, go for it. I liked it.
The Flaming Lips - The Distress Signals Of Celestial

Crystal Castles - Remixed Rewired
Just like "best of"'s, I feel awkward rating Remix CD's, but less so than with "best of"'s because Remix CD's, if they're good enough, can basically be considered their own album. This Remix CD is a compilation of Remixes by Crystal Castles, so it makes it easier to think about as it's own album. Thing is, I still have to consider the original pieces while listening to the remixes, so the album comes off as kind of a cop out. The songs are great though. And it's nice to have all of them in one place.
Crystal Castles - Waist War [Aries Noise vs Crystal Castles]

The Magnetic Fields - Distortion
Man, there are certainly people out there that are bigger fans of The Magnetic Fields, but I can plainly claim that I absolutely ADORE the Magnetic Fields. That said, I was underwhelmed by this album. When I'm used to the soul crushing spectacular that was 69 Love Songs, I ought to have known there would be nothing to compare, but I didn't see this one coming. It's a heavy album, full of sound (as the title would suggest), but it falls short. Fun tracks, but just not what I would have wanted.
The Magnetic Fields - California Girls

The Dears - Missiles
I think I said it pretty well in the original review. (see original review)
The Dears - Missiles

"I Joke About Trash 'Cause It Takes Class To Be Enlightened"

The Dresden Dolls - No, Virginia...
Verdict: Love (<)
Here's the thing: I'm not really a huge fan of the Dresden Dolls. But this B-side collection actually has some rather boss songs. These songs are ... well ... dark. And not just for Darkness' sake either. After I got past the first 2 songs (which I still have yet to listen to in their entirety) I found myself having a generally good time listening to their songs. So, naysayers, I ask you to just forget for a moment that the songs are by the Dresden Dolls, and once you've fallen in love with the songs, maybe you'll have more respect for the Dolls, much like I did after giving the album a chance:

The Dresden Dolls - The Gardener
The Dresden Dolls - Lonesome Organist Rapes Page-Turner
The Dresden Dolls - Pretty In Pink (Psychedelic Furs cover)

"AH! Ze People Have Spoken! We Sing The Song in French! Excelent."

That is the best
damn Picture of Bjork
Eva! agree?

I personally think that the Dresden Dolls are highly underrated ... by most that is. Some people highly overrate them, but, in truth, I think that is a small portion of the population. I think that they should be commended for making it as big as they have for the type of music they're playing.

Like everyone else, I think Amanda Palmer's voice is a little annoying sometimes, but, all in all, she has not only a unique voice but knows damn well how to use it.

Here is my favorite performance of my favorite song by them, live in Atlanta, GA 3/27/04 (Brian Viglione on guitar):

Amsterdam (Sung in English)

The reason I post that song in particular is because during the show that I've posted below, they perform the cover, but it's not the best performance of it (in my opinion). it is, however, a unique performance of it, because they switch it up and Amanda sings the damn thing in French, which impressed the hell outta me.

I thin another awesome think to note about this show is that Peaches joined in two songs. It's pretty awesome/

Band: The Dresden Dolls
Date: 2006-04-30
Venue: the Donaufestival, Messehalle Krems, Krems, Austria

Sex Changes
Missed Me
Cosmic Dancer
Amsterdam (Sung in French) (Jacques Brel cover)
Happy Birthday (Feat. Peaches)
Coin Operated Boy
Eisbär
Girl Anachronism
War Pigs (Feat. Peaches)