The Dresden Dolls
Live At The Roadhouse, London
4/5

Who It’s For: Fans of the band or fans of strange, burlesque performance art.
Looks Like: A weak cabaret hosted by the Dresden Dolls

This DVD could have been brilliant. Looking at the cover photos and inside booklets there was enough going on that it could have been magical. Unfortunately, it seems like most of the magic occurred off of my screen.

Not to say that the show is bad. The duet of The Dresden Dolls put on a great show, but when you read the inside booklet and see all of the guests it makes for expectations that are not fulfilled. The show has a few really fun parts and interesting guests, but it is mainly just a good show. The only time you see most of the guests are in the bonus feature’s documentary and interviews from the show.

The Dolls can make a scene all on their own though. Even when behind instruments Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione demand all of your attention. Outstanding performances of “Coin Operated Boy” and “Mandy Goes To Med School” show why they deserve it.

The special songs on the DVD also make all of the difference. Additions of back up singers for “The Jeep Song” and “Sing” make them memorable. The guest performers really shine as well with Lene Lovich assisting on “Delilah,” Edward Ka-Spel giving depth to “Missed Me” and a fantastic cover of Gary Jules’ “Mad World” with The Red Painting’s Trash McSweeny doing most of the vocals.

Fans of the band should probably check out the DVD at least once, just for curiosity’s sake. Don’t run though, because it’s mostly all talk and no action.

- Stephanie Joudrey Posted Aug. 25/07