That the Dresden Dolls make incredible and interesting records that imply a remarkably cinematic experience can’t be disputed but, given that the sound is produced by just two players, the most realistic question is how said material translates live and what sort of show it makes. All questions are answered, however, at the Roadhouse in London as The Dresden Dolls bring the punk cabaret (as opposed to The Rolling Stones’ Rock N’ Roll Circus) to the stage and illustrate just how theatrical and cinematic a live rock show can be.
Utilizing an assortment of dancers, burlesque performers and Cirque-style acrobats to enhance and bolster (but not distract from) the music and the stage presentation of it, the band trips lightly through a set comprised mostly of material from their newest album, Yes, Virginia, and makes a believer out of anyone watching that a spectacular concert experience is possible from a duo and it can not only fill a stage, but also a several-thousand-seat venue with both sound and people.
As stated, the set relies largely upon material from Yes, Virginia and it’s actually better for it; while tracks including “The Jeep Song” and “Coin-Operated Boy” do alright live, “Mandy Goes To Med School”, “Sing” and “Gravity” knock the doors off the venue and floor the audience with raw presence as well as a visual and aural smorgasbord.
Given the tongue-in-cheek and wilfully anachronistic sound that the Dresden Dolls produce, chances are slim that they’ll break into the mainstream and, while that’s unfortunate, it’s still heartening by viewing the crowd at The Roadhouse – screaming along with every last word – that some people will see it, hear it and get it, and that is their reward.
For more information, go to http://www.dresdendolls.com and http://www.myspace.com/dresdendolls
