convince me it's okay to listen to Dresden Dolls

I have tired to like them but I can't let myself. Theres something a bit too contrived sounding about their music, however I know the girl who takes a lot of their photos and she says that they are incredibly nice people to work with.

anyway, the dresden dolls are ok. they're entertaining live. the album's ok, though the best songs happen to be the ones everyone likes, "girl anachronism" and "coin operated boy". fun fact: i stood in line with my friend ellison to get our NIN/Dresden Dolls tickets signed by them after the show (woo hoo i know), largely because my friend ellison has a massive crush on the pianist/singer Amanda. he was all like, "dude, she totally caressed my hand" as she was interrupted for a second. hes going with his girlfriend to boston and see them live next month. lol. watch out Amanda! they did seem nice.

oh yeah the jeep song! my aforementioned friend and his girlfriend love that song because it totally reminds them of their exes too!

The music IS extremely contrived and theatrical, and I find that refreshing at this point. Hipster cred? I hope not. Want another bunch of guys in in ironic t-shirts and wooly hats who just show up and sort of like, play their shit, y'know? Nothing for you here, I'm afraid.

JUST POINTING OUT THAT THIS IS NOT ME.

Plz carry on ...

Dresden Dolls = very very good live.

robble!

I do not understand this concept of a band making good music not being enough to make you listen to them. And with all this take of honesty and cred, I think I see the real agenda here. SIR, I accuse you of ROCKISM.

http://www.warphead.com/modules/xoopsgallery/cache/albums/album02/can_o_worms.jpg

They ROCK. And know other ways to be loud & confrontational than auto-piloting all instruments to four-minutes-of-tedious-pummelling.

Are just self-aware enough re: some of the goth cliches in the subject matter & lyrics, to escape the often off-putting ridiculously overdone sincerity in such high & heavy doses of angst (why I can't bring myself to listen to NIN much). Killer, and blackly funny humour, with a splash of toungue-in-cheek about it.

They are contrived and theatrical in a good way. Almost the exact opposite of say the Arcade Fire, to pick a current example.

I think they work on levels that appeal completely to both the stereotypical 15yr-old goth AND older, more cynical, less 'emo', less easily bullshitted fans.

I'd certainly say it's an aquired taste though.

I think the odd thing with them is that the 'distance' in the way they present their music is what I find, more engaging than if they were to be direct and straightforwardly pained (NIN, emo, goth, etcetera).

Putting on a brave face (humour, theatrics) when singing about some really fucked up situations, draws you in to considering the reality beneath the 'front', about some of the possible pain that could have inspired the songs. And for me that's easier to empathise with, more 'real'(istic) than just putting it all out there. More adult?.

I guess it's why 'Hurt' from Johhny Cash is so much more affecting that the original too.

This isn't meant to be a NIN-bashing post (I've actually only ever heard the first album & singles since that) just thinking aloud really...

"I think they work on levels that appeal completely to both the stereotypical 15yr-old goth AND older, more cynical, less 'emo', less easily bullshitted fans."

That describes the audience to a T. At a recent Edinburgh show there was a small group of folks who must have been in their 60s. Admittedly, the gig was part of the wider Fringe arts festival, but it's quite an acheivement to reach out to such diverse audience.

if you go to the Dresden Dolls' flash-heavy website, you will see some chortlesome comments they received from NIN fans after opening for them. They are of the "FUCK YOPU CNUTY UR TEH GAYEST BAND EVER THERE IS NO WAY TRENT PICKED YOU FOR TEH TOUR BECOS UR TEH SUCK" variety.

anyway... I saw Dresden Dolls at Glastonbury this year, because someone recommended them to me. I thought they were interesting and theatrical. I subsequently bought their album, but I think they are best appreciated live.

I must also cofess I'm a little scared of Amanda's genius for unceasing, hard-nosed, no-trick-too-cheap self-promotion (being in the same room with her is what I'd imagine being in a room with Madonna circa 1982 was like) because it threatens to overshadow her actual talent.

A friend of mine, who's quite pally with Amanda Palmer, has informed me that the video for her single "Leeds United" (which she attended the shoot of) contains gay men snogging in Leeds United FC shirts.

This is probably the greatest thing I've ever heard.

off to see her on 10 oct in the london. i do so hope there'll be gay footy snoggage there! she'll have to go some way to out-gay the hidden cameras' "upside-down bicycling spangly hot-panted gimps on an altar" schrick though...

I had the great fortune to tour in support of DD earlier this year. They are the nicest rock stars I've ever met. I don't listen to the records, but I was transfixed by their epic show every night. And they brought me back out during the encore to play drums in The Immigrant Song a few times which was a FUCKING BLAST.

Total respect for them working so hard for the success they've earned. Glad they decided not to break up.

how is Amanda's solo album?