The Dresden Dolls represent a super interesting aspect of music and style that I wish was found more often in many of today’s bands, mainstream or indie. They only have two videos out, but a new one should be on it’s way with their new cd ready to be served later this year. What strikes me about this “Brechtian Cabaret Punk” duo, is not only their talent musically, but their energy and imagination. Everything is so different from what anyone else is doing, yet there’s a certain familiarity to it as well.
Beginning with “Coin Operated Boy”, the most playful song off their self titled release, what strikes me first is the fact that its in color. POPE could easily have gone with a cool dated-looking black and white video, but instead throws in a bunch of colors, that somehow work. With that in mind, he still gives us a taste of the b/w, but with singer/pianist Amanda Palmer sans her makeup, thus sidestepping the obvious even when he partakes in it. His imagery used (in collaboration with Palmer) is striking and totally complimentary to the essence of the Dolls. It’s a rare gift, when a group can find a person who is essentially on the same artistic level, especially in music videos, and come out with a quality piece of work (The Beastie Boys/Spike Jonze, NIN/David Fincher, White Stripes/Michel Gondry, & The Strokes/Roman Coppola are few that come to mind).
Some things to watch for in this video, are the intricately detailed sets and props, as well as the sequence that begins in b/w then slowly transfers into desaturated colors and then bold purple/green tinted colors as the music intensifies (I guess I coulda just called it the “I-Want-A Sequence”). Then, when it’s over, ask yourself what’s the last video you saw that had this much going for it musically/visually (using the videos we posted prior to, don’t count either suckas).
“Girl Anachronism” technically came out prior to “Coin-Operated Boy”, but I opted to put it’s video second, so that you kids could get sucked in by the mischievous high-spirited Coin-Op video, before I busted the hot shit on ya. This one’s all color and all crazy, which suits the song to a ‘T’. Obviously, I don’t need to explain the look of the video, so I just want to highlight some other aspects that you should all be aware of.
Although it may sound shallow at first, trust me when I say that it’s cool when Palmer gets half-naked. I say this because she doesn’t have the best body in the world by most peoples standards, but she’s not afraid to put it out there anyways. Its a very adult and very matter-of-fact ingredient that she adds, (versus the cheap sexual innuendo that a band like Morningwood would rely on) which is hard to find in most girls that aren’t/weren’t your girlfriend. I appreciate that, because its not lazy or condescending to me/audience, by thinking that we’ll be hooked by some standard T&A.
Another obvious detail is the make-up job that both sport as part of their defining feature as a band. The fact that Palmer draws on her own eyebrows in such a precise and elaborate design is hard core. Any creator/artist who’s worth a damn, will tell you that when it comes their work, it’s all in the DETAILS. And let’s not forget Viglione, the drummer, who gives this band even more credibility. Aside from being a very astute percussionist, the expressions and contortions his face makes in conjunction with the make-up is badass. He can be very angular and menacing as he plays faster, or he can switch it up to funny and playful, or just look plain serious and creepy. He may be the quieter one, but he’s still an important part of the plan like Laurel is to Hardy, Meg White to Jack White, Teller to Penn, and Bert to Ernie.
In all, these videos are the kinda shit i’m talking about when I say that we are better than crap like the “Juicebox” video. I mean, if Brian’s sister likes them, they gotta be good right?
They have an extremely different and interesting style which always equals good. I must admit that at first sight, with just the picture you displayed, i didnt think I’d like it all that much. Goes to show, never judge a book by its cover
well done
Re: COB~ I don’t know…sometimes I don’t like it when people are avant garde just to be avant garde, you know?
I did think it was so.hot when the Brian Viglione (the *other* Brian with an Italian last name) stood up to bash his cymbals.
Re: GA~ I like this way more - the weirdness/intensity is genuine and contagious.
Gotta love them. They are so theatrical, you knew their videos would be good.
COB: You nailed it with this one Moto. The power of the video and the music mess perfectly. Especially with both band members ability to play their respective parts perfectly. There are three interesting things that I would want to comment on. Uno, the use of skipping in the video/song. This is the first time I have every seen this done (outside of rap(and used effectively)) Each seen after they skip is also not the same. You get closer with each moment. Dose, (and least important) are the flashes in the (i-want-a) section after the b/w goes to color. I see flashes that are not roll-out of the camera. They are scenes from different parts of the video and the same shot colorized differently. Tres, the ending of the video. (Right after the “take him in the bath” Ahem “fuck him in the ass”) It is very clear that she wants sex from her coin operated boy, she puts in another quarter. You can watch her face as he takes of his glasses. She doesn’t get what she wants. I have no idea what this implies but it makes me think anyway.
Oh and props for using the word smitten in their song.
But my favorite part of the video is when he gets taken in the bath. His expression then hers is classic.
GA: I think this video doesn’t compare to COB. It has great moments, when the body falls in the background, the girl at the keyboard keeps changing. But the video seems a little amateurish. I believe is the craziness of the characters and the props that make this video cool. The director of COB took it that extra couple of steps.
Extra notes: This seems like the kind of girl who would drive your car off a cliff because another girl brought you drink. Damn she’s hot.
I was hesitent to to listen to this band but decided hey why not. at first they bugged the crap out of me and i despised them. then a few days later i had coin operated boy in my head and they grew on me. so all said that they are pretty cool. they have a unique style and that is hard to find today. the videos are pretty crazy especially fits right with Girl Anacronism.