pretty UGLY

With vocals that rip up through piano keys like they were pieces of paper. Amanda Palmer is one bitch out of hell, well worth a listen.
7 out of 10.

Who Killed Amanda Palmer? Is the solo debut from the Dresden Dolls front woman. If you liked the Dresden Dolls first album then you will love this album.

The self confessed exhibitionist is a theatrical and manic as ever. Palmer retains her piano punk edge despite her hiatus from drummer Brian Viglione.

The album is part punk, part hymnal, part cabaret and a little brassy.

It is riddled with collaborations, from Dead Kennedys guitarist to Rasputina’s Zoe Keating. Palmer says that when Ben Folds volunteered to produce her solo album it evolved into something quite different. What began as a ‘simple, stripped-down, record-in-in-my-underwear-in-my-apartment-in-boston kinda thing’ ended up being ‘not simple at all’.

The album reads slightly like a film soundtrack. The songs are easily charged with emotion. The erratic album is laden with stories. ‘The Point of it all’ and ‘Another Year’ are enough to make anyone with PMT cry for two days. On the flipside, the sick comedy of ‘Melissa Mahoney’ will make you laugh out loud.

The unlikely collaboration with Ben Folds, somehow, form a musical marriage made in heaven. Palmer is a little bit more political and a lot better produced.

Be warned, this album might be better listened to in parts. Most songs come in at over 4 minutes long. If you have the patience to sit an listen to all 12, (hidden track included) then you wont be disappointed.