Sure everyone knows them. Sure everyone has a strong opinion about them.
You might roll your eyes, but someone else might squeal with excitement while listening to Amanda Palmer's deep, dramatic voice. My musical tastes would not be what they are if it weren't for these fellows. Shuffling through my dad's iTunes on a Saturday morning when I was in eighth grade, I listened to a song I found called Coin-Operated Boy and was hooked. I spent the next few weeks digging into their music and discovering the whole dark cabaret scene.
One of the greatest things about this band is that they don't try and profiteer off of every single recording they have ever made. They make bootlegs readily available, and even provide several full length mp3s of studio-recorded songs.
From their self-titled album:
Half Jack
My favorite song of theirs. So haunting and so invigorating in its ending. SEE JACK RUN.
Girl Anachronism
A classic.
Girl Anachronism (demo)
The demo is incredible and even more schizophrenic.
From Yes, Virginia..., their more rock/pop album
Dirty Business
Fun to listen to loud. When you're mad at someone.
Live:
Ultima Esperanza
My second favorite Dresden Dolls song. They have a studio version too, but the live version is just, if not more, as epic and beautiful. [and is downloadable from their site]
Life on Mars (David Bowie cover)
They cover songs like crazy. It's another of my favorite things about them. They make Life on Mars sound like it originally was a punk cabaret song.
solo live:
Will
a live solo version of the Dresden Doll's song.
Umbrella (Rihanna cover)
and for shits and giggles.
