[MUSIC] THE SAVAGE ANIMAL "The Videography of The Dresden Dolls"
08.31.11
BY MIKEY MIGO
The Dresden Dolls aren’t exactly a band you’d see on MTV or hear in heavy rotation on a mainstream rock station. Does this mean they can’t write a catchy tune or aren’t accessible? Not the case at all. I first heard of them around 2004 or so. I was instantly drawn in by the first single I heard. They’re not like anything else out there.
They’re a band that, for a time period, I was all about. During those first few years I was a huge fan. I shared them with anyone and everyone who’d listen, I made it out to shows, and when their DVD came out I remember going with another friend to get it the morning it came out. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing them perform live twice. The first time was at the Congress Theatre in Chicago when they opened up for Nine Inch Nails in 05. Then not too long after that a friend and I hit up the Metro, also in Chicago, for their own headlining show. It was good times and they really filled a musical void for awhile. I’m always going to be grateful for that.
Then I don’t know what happened. They just lost me. Amanda Palmer started popping up more, but on her own. Meanwhile Brian Viglione was out doing his own thing too. I’m a fan of both, but when they’re together they’re amazing. I don’t know if it was just the energy wearing off or that they evolved in a different direction than my tastes or what. I just wasn’t feeling it anymore. In fact, while writing this column I found out they’ve not been together in awhile. Someone should do something about that…
Never the less, these folks are artists. Not just like music artists, but visual. They have their own “image” thing going for them and they incorporate a unique style and artistic touch to their work. Videos included…
”Girl Anachronism”
Album: ”The Dresden Dolls”
Director: Michael Pope
Year: 2003
This is the song and video that started it all for me. when I first heard this I was floored by how unique and different it was. It had balls, it had melody, it had a whole new perspective that I was ready for. I use the word “had” like it still doesn’t. This is still bad ass. Michael Pope does some amazing work here on the low. The way it’s shot is really cool and this is beautifully chaotic piece. At first you’d think they were some New York yuppie mime troupe, but not really… only sorta. There is tons of intensity here and I think this still the band’s best track and most rocking video. I always felt that this video and song was a bait and switch of what the band would sound like. Great video. One of the best of the 00’s for sure. Rating: 8.0
”Coin-Operated Boy”
Album: ”The Dresden Dolls”
Director: Michael Pope
Year: 2004
The melody and tone of this song is so bouncy and cute, but when we pay close attention to the content and narrative it’s a whole different ballgame. She wants a boy that is coin operated so she can get exactly what she wants out of him. It’s definitely a “girl power!” song, but it’s not without its charm. A side note, the “A is for Accident” version is a little naughtier. If you’re going to listen to the track, go that route. I still like the visuals of the video. It’s really well done, has it’s own style, and I love how the colors pop. It’s what a million independent films wish it could be. It’s like if Wes Anderson went on a shroom binge. Yeah, that’s a compliment. Rating: 7.0
”Sing (The Alternate Cut)”
Album: ”Yes, Virginia…”
Director: Michael Pope
Year: 2006
Remember earlier about how I said I don’t know what happened. This was sadly around that time. I enjoyed this song and a few other older throwbacks on “Yes, Virgina”, but that raw energy was depleting. This video is more “serious”, but it’s not the same. It’s well done and tells a narrative of a song being shared and some living statue people. It has a nice enough idea behind it, but it just doesn’t translate to “good”. I appreciate the effort, but no thanks to the song or the video. Rating: 5.0
”Sing (Chapter II/Original)”
Album: ”Yes, Virginia…”
Director: Michael Pope
Year: 2006
Who the hell makes two versions of a video? The Dresden Dolls (and lots of other bands)! That’s who! It’s the same shots and stuff from the other video. We see the same statue people, the same locations, and the same narrative of people getting a bootleg CD in an envelope. It’s the same, but it seems to be way more emotional and in my opinion a way stronger cut. It’s still not my cup of tea, but it’s not nearly as bad as the other. It’s weird too because like I said, it’s mainly the same stuff. Rating: 6.0
”Backstabber”
Album: ”Yes, Virginia…”
Director: Michael Pope
Year: 2006
Yay for live footage. These two are amazing live performers. This is then missed in with weird footage of Amanda and Brian switching gender roles and doing some weird kinky sex tape type of thing. It’s funny and returns to that gritty and more spontaneous feel of the first two videos. It’s raunchy, it’s funny, and it’s a great tune. Fun! Rating: 7.0
”Backstabber: The Dresden Dolls vs. Panic! at the Disco”
Album: ”Yes, Virginia…”
Director: Michael Pope
Year: 2006
I’d be lying if I said I saw this before. Hell, I’d be lying if I said I knew this even existed. I’m not a fan of Panic! at the Disco so nothing ever really pointed me in this direction. It’s candid-looking live stuff with a weird little storyline in it. It’s all pretty hokey and tongue in cheek. It’s not really working for me, but I still appreciate what’s being done here. It’s silly and cheesy so I think by law I have to like it. That goes for you too. “Mainstream” type of bands or at least ones who get to a high enough level just don’t do think kind of thing. I like they can poke fun at themselves and don’t take things too seriously. Rating: 7.5
”Shore of California”
Album: ”Yes, Virginia…”
Director: Andrew Bennett
Year: 2007
What the hell is going on here? Is this a tribute to David Lee Roth’s “California Girls” video? Wow. I’ve not seen this before. I notice that it’s ALL Amanda Palmer. Where the hell is Brian? Is this what happened at the end? It’s a fun video and all that. It looks nice, but it’s the only video NOT by Michael Pope and it shows. It’s the only video NOT with Brian and it shows. If this were my first impression of the band then I’d be really let down. I read up on this and it’s said that Brian wasn’t available to shoot when they shot it. Um… he’s 50% of the group. His schedule should be worked around. Blah. The lyrics are lame too. What a letdown… Rating: 5.0
”Night Reconnaissance”
Album: ”No, Virginia…”
Director: Michael Pope
Year: 2008
The story here is about a girl who is bullied who writes screenplays about her life or the perception of it. To get revenge they go and steal lawn gnomes. It looks good, but at this point I’m happy it’s the last video I have to watch right now. It song has a good melody and is sung well, but the content and lyrics are words pretending to be art. Seriously, compare this to “Girl Anachronism”. Big difference. Rating: 6.0
VERDICT
I feel like there are points in this that I was being too harsh. On the video front, Michael Pope is awesome. I like his style and I’d be interested to see him direct on a more full length scale. I really do dig The Dresden Dolls, but there are times that things are so off track of my own personal tastes that I can’t help but shudder in disappointment. They were one of the first “post High School” bands that I really got into. They were everything I wanted in music at start, but then evolved in a way that wasn’t for me. It felt like they got watered down and less gritty. They kept putting it out there like they were a gritty indie art rock band, but things got… I hate to say the word… “commercial”. It was like they decided “THESE people like us… let’s ONLY pander to them”. A lot of folks in music, movies, and entertainment get stuck in this rut. It’s hard coming up from nothing. I can imagine that once they got to a certain level of comfortable success that it was easy to just coast. I dunno what the hell I’m talking about. I’m just a fan of The Dresden Dolls that miss them as much as I’m disappointed. If you’re new to these two then I highly recommend the self titled album and the “A is for Accident” release.
BLOGS
- DLP News - The Savage Animal - Random Movie Review - rant/n/rave - PreView:ReView - Worst Case
Scenario
