Who Killed Amanda Palmer (Dig)

Amanda Palmer | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 16, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Roadrunner Records
• ASIN: B001BS0J3I
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,804 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #44 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Cabaret

Track Listings

1. Astronaut: A Short History of Nearly Nothing

2. Runs in the Family

3. Ampersand

4. Leeds United

5. Blake Says

6. Strength Through Music

7. Guitar Hero

8. Have to Drive

9. What's the Use of Wond'rin?

10. Oasis

11. The Point of It All

12. Another Year: A Short History of Almost Something

Editorial Reviews

The idea was a simple one: songs for the piano and voice, recorded in one week in a bedroom, just to get them down on tape. But like all things surrounding the Dresden Dolls' Amanda Palmer-a one-woman machine who is a rock musician, artist, writer, yoga enthusiast, political activist and more-simplicity is not an easy thing to come by. Her small idea snowballed into something grand, exciting and nothing short of brilliant in the form of her debut solo album, Who Killed Amanda Palmer. Produced by Ben Folds, this is a departure from the music she creates as a critically acclaimed Dresden Doll and a major step towards showcasing her maturity as a songwriter, performer and most importantly as an artist.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new makeover of the Doll's house, September 16, 2008

By 

Scott Bresinger (New York, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Who Killed Amanda Palmer (Dig) (Audio CD)

Taking a break from her main gig as singer/songwriter/pianist/mastermind of Boston's Dresden Dolls, Amanda Palmer has taken a strong leap to the solo album business. Fans expecting/fearing a radical change in style can rest assured that her melodic and lyrical senses remain sharp as ever, even as she takes a few new directions. Working with producer Ben Folds, she builds up her piano-driven cabaret punk with string and horn sections, organs and even afew guitars here and there. She even allows a few special guests such as ex-Rasputina member Zoe Keating on violin and a particularly odd camoeo from East Bay Ray of punk legends the Dead Kennedys. Beneath the attractive new window dressing, this is still the same Doll's house, even if drummer Brian Viglione is newhere in sight (there are drums on the album, of course, but played by others).

Advance word had it that the album mainly consisted of slow ballads, but the reality is a much more varied affair. The opening track, "Astronaut," with its pounding pianos while "Runs in the Family," a tale of mental instability (a favorite lyrical theme of Palmer's) is reminiscent of the Dolls' "Girl Anachronism." Track three, "Ampersand," is the first ballad, and a disarmingly personal one at that, performed with just piano and voice. Other songs are clearly character studies: "oasis" is about a teenage girl who gets drunk, raped and goes for an abortion. Unbeleivably, it's played for humor, which would be ugly and tasteless, except that Palmer clearly has sympathy for the character. Likewise, the school shooter of "Strength Through Music" is a misfit that Palmer identifies with, even if the tone of the song and the whispered "tick tick tick tick" of the chorus belie a more despairing undercurrent.

Although I wonder what these songs might sound like as Dresden Dolls productions, with just piano and drums, The material here is strong enough for many repeated listens. It must be said: Amanda Palmer is, in my mind, one of the best songwriters working today. I just hope the people who agree with me outnumber those who are calling me an idiot.

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Record Company is screwing Amanda over, September 7, 2009

By 

Device Consumer (MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Who Killed Amanda Palmer (MP3 Download)

If you're a fan of Amanda Palmer,
please buy direct from HER website,
or buy in person at one of her shows.
The record company is withholding all profits if you buy
anywhere other than directly from her.
Please repost this review anywhere her products are sold.

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Record Company is screwing Amanda over, September 7, 2009

By 

Device Consumer (MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Who Killed Amanda Palmer (Dig) (Audio CD)

If you are a fan of Amanda Palmer please buy directly from HER her website, or in person at one of her shows.
The record company company is withholding all of the profits if you buy this anywhere other than directly from her.
Please re-post this review any where see any of her products for sale.