Amanda Palmer Goes Solo

07/15/08 2:16pm

Dresden Doll Amanda Palmer will release her first solo album on Sept. 16 through Roadrunner and support it with several shows.

The record has a Twin Peaks-influenced title, Who Killed Amanda Palmer, and a number of guest contributors. Ben Folds produced the disc, Paul Buckmaster helped with arrangements, and the Dead Kennedys' East Bay Ray, Annie Clark (better known as St. Vincent) and cellist Zoe Keating lent a musical hand. Perhaps their efforts allowed Palmer to take some strain off her vagina-like vocal chords, which underwent surgery earlier this year.

Three songs from Who Killed Amanda Palmer and a live version of album track "Ampersand" can be previewed on Palmer's MySpace page.

Graphic novelist/screenwriter Neil Gaiman wrote the liner notes for the LP. Palmer and Gaiman are also collaborating on a book of photography to coincide with her album's release. According to a July 11 MySpace blog entry, Palmer is also working on a new website and a theatre project for next spring.

Palmer's lone Canadian show will take place at Toronto's Rivoli with Vermillion Lies on Aug. 9. In between solo dates, Palmer will reteam with Dresden Dolls partner Brian Viglione for three European festivals in August.

Here are the songs on Who Killed Amanda Palmer:

• "Astronaut"
• "Runs In The Family
• "Ampersand"
• "Leeds United"
• "Blake Says"
• "Strength Through Music"
• "Guitar Hero"
• "Have To Drive"
• "What's The Use Of Wondrin"
• "Melissa Mahoney"
• "The Point Of It All"
• "Another Year"