Review: Dresden Dolls In Paradise (A-)

Dresden Dolls Paradise
Live at Paradise Rock Club (2005)
Starring the Dresden Dolls
Directed by Michael Pope
MPAA: UR
Grade: A-

Review by Scott Standish

The Dresden Dolls in Paradise is a live performance film from the duo of Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione, better known as the Dresden Dolls. Their unique cabaret style of performance (from dress to stage theatrics) is engrossing. Their music rocks.

It is so hard to find something totally new in the world of rock and roll, so the discovery of the Dresden Dolls is important. Here is a duo that combines "brechtian punk cabaret" with Black Sabbath covers. Although this sounds like a novelty, the combination actually works and the effect is powerful. Amanda has a powerful voice and sexy cabaret style. Brian is a theatrical drummer with an obvious ear for the demranding drum rolls often heard in heavy metal and opera.

Their June 5th, 2005 live performance at the Paradise Rock Club is incredible. From the opening song (Good Day) to their mind blowing cover of War Pigs by Black Sabbath to the final song (Truce), the Dresden Dolls kick serious cabaret ass. Amanda wails of love, hate, revenge and regret - usually within the same song. Brian pounds the drums like Tommy Lee on speed. The crowd goes wild and it is obvious that their fans are rabid for them. This is a band with a cult following.

My only question about the Dresden Dolls is - why haven't I heard of them before? The duo from Boston should be getting international acclaim and they deserve some mainstream press. Now that they are on the fast rising record label Roadrunner, they stand a great chance to become huge. In the meantime, I intend to make up for lost time by playing this live DVD over and over. I suggest you do the same. Highly recommended.