Band : Amanda Palmer

Album Title : Who Killed Amanda Palmer

Label : Roadrunner Records

Distributor : CNR

Release Date : 15/09/2008

Release : CD

“Who Killed Amanda Palmer” is the new solo effort by Amanda Palmer, lead singer, pianist, and composer of the Brechtian punk cabaret duo The Dresden Dolls. The whole album came together with the collaboration of  Ben Folds and the name of the album is a reference to the cult series “Twin Peaks” with their search “who killed Laura Palmer”. A lot of the songs are piano ballads that never found a place on the albums of Dredsden Dolls. Ben Folds of Ben Folds Five played in six songs such as the beautiful, slow and emotional “Blake Says”. The first single of the album is the fast and jazzy “Leeds United”. Her voice can be melodious like on “What's The Use Of Won'drin?” and sometimes she sounds very harsh. A remarkable guest on this solo album is East Bay Ray of the legendary punk band Dead Kennedys. “Guitar Hero” therefore is a real rock track. With al the differences on this album it's hard to place Amanda Palmer in a kind of genre but it's definitely punk with a very dark edge. Another example of her diversity is the pop song “Oasis” pimped with choirs and big piano. Most of this new album has the same atmosphere. With her talent she can easily build up her own solo career without the Dresden Dolls.

85/100

Guido Claes.