The Dresden Dolls’ playlist

“This is bad-ass breaking wine glasses cabaret!” laughs Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls.

Eleven years ago the pianist found an accomplice in drummer Brian Viglione, and the duo’s been rocking to a beat of their own ever since.

“This isn’t a chick in a sequence dress, Cole Porter show tunes,” Amanda adds. It’s “Brechtian punk cabaret,” a tag coming straight from the source.

“I thought it would be clever to give us a label before someone else got the chance,” she explains.

If you haven’t heard the pair, imagine a European flavored cabaret production gone mad and rebelling against every rule or law ever made.

Nothing is censored or taboo when it comes to the Dolls. From heartbreak and masturbation to sex changes and alleyway abortions, Amanda’s raw and perverse lyrics shine a blinding spotlight into the darkest corners of the human soul.

Here are five tunes that tug at Brian’s being.

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This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) – Talking Heads

“Such beautiful lyrics in this song that express how loving someone can make you feel like snapping together with a puzzle piece. Everything unimportant melts away and you experience the purest feelings of connection.”

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All Blues – Miles Davis

“A piece where the music is so rich in feeling, that for me, it defines the phrase, ‘let the music do the talking.’ That can be said for all of Kind Of Blue, and on this song each players voice is so nuanced and personal, that after many years it still gives me chills.”

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I’m So Proud – Curtis Mayfield & the Impressions

“I love the old vocal groups and Doo Wop classics that have the power to transport you with the harmonies. Never underestimate the beauty of the slow dance.”

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Good Morning Coffee – Greg Brown

“The album, In The Dark With You, by Greg Brown is one of my favorite albums to listen to when I have to get up at some obscenely early hour of the morning and this song always counteracts the grogginess and puts a smile on my face.”

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Good Vibrations – The Langley Schools Music Project

“This cover of the Beach Boys’ classic was my first introduction to this amazing diamond in the rough years ago. The beauty, humor, and humanity of a group of middle school aged kids singing their hearts out and playing instruments is inspiring to hear. Jaws drop every time I play this album for friends.”

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Posted by Marc Andrew on Nov 25 2011. Filed under Celebrity Playlist. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.