The Tiger Lillies: C/D, S&D

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Weird, weird stuff: macabre lyrics delivered in ominous falsetto; tinny accordion/standup bass/toy drum accompaniment; a sort of 19th-century circus-freak aesthetic.

Some time ago I heard and enjoyed an album of theirs called The Brothel to the Cemetery, featuring a spooky song about the Russians in the market square. Perhaps six months later I was dating a woman who lived in London, and she took me to the stage show of Shockheaded Peter--with me not knowing that these selfsame Tiger Lillies were responsible for the music and much of the visual impact.

Some of the criticism regularly leveled at the Decemberists by the ILM hivemind--preciousness of lyrics, fey anachronisms, theatrical posturing, etc.--could be fairly be leveled at the Lillies as well.

Overall I think Martyn Jacques is a splendidly twisted individual for foisting this half-joke of a band on the world. I'm glad they exist. But it's not something I can listen to every day; it's easy of overdose on.

In that respect, the Tiger Lillies are the salt-and-vinegar potato chips of music.

The Mad Puffin, Friday, 10 June 2005 16:47 (twenty years ago)

>half-joke of a band<

They're a serious, "full" joke of a band. (But then I don't listen to any band every day.)

S: "She's My Sheep," "Crucifying Jesus," Shockheaded Peter

Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Friday, 10 June 2005 17:56 (twenty years ago)

I love 'em. Classic

S:Shockheaded Peter Soundtrack, whatever the Edward Gorey album was (I'll post it when I'm home)

John Justen (johnjusten), Friday, 10 June 2005 19:34 (twenty years ago)

The name of the album is "The Gorey End" and it's the Tiger Lillies w/the Kronos Quartet. GOOD.

John Justen (johnjusten), Friday, 10 June 2005 22:52 (twenty years ago)

I think I've seen this lot a few times at the Edinburgh Festival, although I may be mistaken...

KeefW (kmw), Friday, 10 June 2005 22:58 (twenty years ago)

eight years pass...

doing their version of Rime of the Ancient Mariner tonight in Brooklyn (free/$3) -- anyone seen elsewhere?

http://bricartsmedia.org/events/celebrate-brooklyn/the-tiger-lillies-the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner-cynthia-hopkins

alas I have no nautical outfits.

playwright Greg Marlowe, secretly in love with Mary (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 18 July 2013 15:49 (twelve years ago)


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