Boston duo mash up punk rock and cabaret, sing about transsexuals and Nazi sympathizers

Most of the Dresden Dolls' second album is devoted to the uses of illusion-and abuses. The title refers to the famous 1897 exchange between an 8-year-old girl and a newspaper editor about the existence of Santa Claus; throughout this alternately brash and grandiose song cycle, pianist and singer Amanda Palmer explores sexual obsession (including, on the opening track, sex-change surgery), fanatical extremism (the protagonist of "Mrs. O" maintains the Holocaust never happened) and the elaborate deceptions that alcoholics commit daily. Her lyrics drip acid, especially when she shouts, which is often. But what makes her screeds work is the music she and drummer Brian Viglione fervently pound out-an amped-up grotesque of torchy vaudeville and European parlor songs that starts as high-concept camp and winds up strangely illuminating.

Wow.

I have to admit, while my friend raved on and on about this band Dresden Dolls and how awesome they were, I was a bit skeptical. A 2 person band, with just piano and vocals and drums...cabaret-punk with somewhat obscure songs...it just didn't sound right. But, after listening to the CD for the first time, I was amazed! The Dresden Dolls have their own unique style, and their songs are inexplicably catchy. I listened to "Sex Changes" 10 or 20 times in a row, and it never got old. Amanda has a very interesting, edgy voice that fits perfectly with the songs, and Brian's drumming is nothing short of amazing. The piano also sets the tone for all of the songs, so it all sounds very cabaret-style. I love that The Dresden Dolls aren't afraid to be the minority.

sophomore slump?

I think not. The Dresden Dolls, with their second major release, have not only expanded on what they essentially created on their first album, but have made it better (in some ways).