The Dresden Dolls — No, Virginia...

No, Virginia...

Roadrunner

Kate Harper (CHARTattack)

05/20/2008 11:15am

The Dresden Dolls' new rarities compilation features tracks recorded from 2003 to the present. It's meant to be a companion piece to 2006's sophomore release, Yes, Virginia... It lives up to its negative moniker and proves that some songs are unreleased for a reason. "Night Reconnaissance" features some slightly interesting, playful piano work, but like the rest of the disc's tracks, it drowns in Amanda Palmer's flat, expressionless, annoying voice. The Dolls' cover of The Psychedelic Furs' "Pretty In Pink," which originally appeared on the High School Reunion '80s films tribute album, is the record's lone highlight, by adding a bit more interesting instrumentation into the mix. But in the end, even it falls short. Most of the songs sound the same to the point of collapsing into monotonous sameness. No, Virginia... indeed. No manner of theatricality can save this stinker, whether it be stilt-walking, fire-eating or even lion-wrestling.

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