Customer Reviews

Who Killed Amanda Palmer (Special Edition)

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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.

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.

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.

that I take on the task of being the first to review this work of art. Life-changing, breath-taking, make you blush, make you feel strong and weak and then strong again. Here within are some of the most biting, clever, powerful, witty charming lyrics set in a style unto themselves. Amanda Palmer, of The Dresden Dolls, makes her own history here- with support of the very talented Zoe Keating and others. "Astronaut", "Runs in the Family" and "Guitar Hero" stand strong, each in their own way. I have been addicted to "Astronuat" for months now....before the album even came close to release, but have found equal affection towards "Runs in the family"- my new favorite song of the entire Palmer/Dolls catalog. "Ampersand" is a whole biography in about 5 minutes. "Oasis" and "I google you" are the epitome of witt. Oh- and there are still more brillant tracks to talk about. If Dorothy Parker could sing, it would sound like this. Buy it now!

I was pondering a few days how to really review this album. It also took me quite awhile to figure out if I should buy the Special Edition (download only) album of the actual CD. I ended up with the digital just for the extra two tracks. Anyhow, back to the review. This album by far surpasses anything the Dresden Dolls have done before (and believe you me, i'm a huge DD fan). This album is intimate and has such an emotional quality that you sometimes can't contain yourself. It is raw, it is edgy, it is beautiful. The orchestrations add to Amanda's amazing talent (both as a musician and a lyricist). This album has to be and will be the most stunning of the year. I can not say better things about it.

I've never heard of Amanda Palmer (yes, I've somewhat been living under a rock musically speaking), so I'm coming into this with objectivity in regards of being able to dissociation this single album from her Dresden Dolls career. Ms Palmer has a unique talent in her voice and piano playing, making this album a very enjoyable experience. There's a good mix, with songs ranging from fast paced and hard hitting [Runs in the Family] to the slow and exquisitely beautiful [Have to Drive]. I can honestly say I liked every song, and won't hesitate to recommend it.

I have to agree with the reviewer who said that they don't normally repeat an album. I don't ever do so either, but every chance that I get, I'm playing this album again, and yes, sometimes with the lyrics in front of me.

Track 1, Astronaut, has of course been available for some time now, and not much remains to be said about it, except that it is, of course, great.
Track 2, Runs in the Family, is a great track, and puts to rest the notion that this album would be loaded with ballads. It is reminiscent of Girl Anachronism, in its placing on the album, its intensity, its themes of mental instability, and simply the fact that it is the fastest track on the album.
Track 3, Ampersand, has also been available for a while. Here, I have to say that I enjoyed the live version more. The production here, while great on the rest of the album, doesn't seem to add much to it, and I think her vocal performance is lacking compared to her live performance. Still, a fantastic song.
Track 4, Leeds United, is not one of my favorites. It is a faster number, but I just can't seem to get into it.
Track 5, Blake Says, is wonderful and a great lead into Strengh Through Music.
Track 6, Strength through Music, and its accompanying video, paint a vivid picture of a school shooter. The music is beautiful in its simplicity, and it is so ominous, it just frightens me to know that it probably won't be long until we have another school shooting.
Track 7, Guitar Hero, actually took me some time to get into, but after reading the lyrics, it follows Strength through Music brilliantly.
Track 8, Have to Drive, is another gem, nothing much to say there.
Track 9, What's the Use of Wondrin', is great, and it helps to tell the story. The reviewer who didn't like it probably just wasn't following the story along.
Track 10, Oasis, could have been a hit single, if it didn't involve rape, abortion, and molestation in its lyrics.
Track 11, The Point of It All, has also been around for a while. It helps to bring the story to a close, and again, it is beautiful. On this one, I'd say the studio version is about on the same level as the live version.
Finally, Track 12, Another Year, brings the story to a close with one more beautiful piano ballad. The lyrics help to complete the story, and the music fits in wonderfully as an endpiece, reminding me of Truce from the Dresden Doll's first album.

So get this album if you like music or stories. I can't think of anyone who doesn't like those things. All Music Guide's review was way, way off on this one. Someone there just doesn't get it. Hey, AMG guy, if you're reading this, get at me, I'm ready to take you on. Beautiful, haunting, tells a wonderful story, if you like the Dresden Dolls, then you should like this album for sure.

Oh, and you can get the bonus tracks "Straight" and different versions of Leeds United and Guitar Hero for less money and at a higher quality than off iTunes, so once again amazon has bested its competitor.

Amanda Palmer isn't just one of the most creative artists out there, she's also full of such a raw energy and unbelievable passion. Every song grabs you somehow, whether it be musically or lyrically, you just can't stop listening. She talks about things that either most artists don't talk about or try and fail miserably to talk about. Her lyrics are beautiful yet shocking and at first abrasive.

"i walk down my street at night
the city lights are cold and violent
i am comforted by the approaching sound of trucks and sirens
even though the world's so bad, these men rush out to help the dying
and though i am no use to them i do my part by simply smiling"
- from "Ampersand"

I was actually very surprised to find this cd much more easy to listen to on a first run through than her other Dresden Dolls cds, thanks in large part to some exquisite ballads "Ampersand", "Blake Says", "Another Year" and my personal favorite "Point of it All." All of which are simply beautiful to listen to. Even on her more experimental songs like "Strength Through Music" and "Guitar Hero", they never went overboard with being different. The excellent production by Ben Folds made the cd cohesive and really high quality.

I just saw Amanda last night in concert, and she has one of the most visually stunning and amazing live shows I've ever seen. From the zombie bride entrance to pounding out "Astronaut" under flashing white lights, to lip syncing to "Umbrella" on her pink ukulele while water from beer bottles was poured over her head, its truly a spectacle.

Amanda Palmer is simply one of the best living artists and this cd showcases her work brilliantly. A must buy.

Amanda Palmer has created a musical masterpiece with her first solo release, "Who Killed Amanda Palmer". The songwriting is superb, vocal delivery is moving and heartfelt, and the piano runs the gamut from percussion instrument to lovely melancholic strains. In short, an absolutely brilliant album jam-packed with songs that will stick in your head for years to come...

Usually I switch my listening around from one CD to the next--repetition bores me. But lately I've just had this one on, sometimes with the lyrics in front of me. I think one reason the vocal delivery is so strong is that these songs go beyond old girl-meets-boy.