February 26, 2010

Evelyn Evelyn: Evelyn Evelyn

Amanda Palmer (of The Dresden Dolls) and former busker Jason Webley invented the fictional duo Evelyn Evelyn, supposedly conjoined twin sisters sharing a passion for show tunes and Americana. They want us to believe that Eva and Lynn were born on September 11, 1985, on a small farm in Western Kansas, their mother dying within minutes after giving birth. The twins end up in a freak show before being saved, in a way, by music.

In truth it is a musical sideshow cabaret act that sounds vintage due to the prominent role of the piano and the call-and-response vocals. They poke fun at the hipsters and critics (A Campaign of Shock and Awe) who take their cues from Rolling Stone and Pitchfork. All jokes and mystifying aside the self-titled full length is a grab bag of old time good time music (Have You Seen My Sister Evelyn?), running commentary about the fictional protagonists (Tragic Events Part I-III) and feeling lonely on the web (My Space - with backing vocals supplied by "Weird Al" Yankovic, Andrew W.K., and Amanda's fiancé, comic artist Neil Gaiman). Ending the album with a cover of the Joy Division classic Love Will Tear Us Apart using a ukulele, the musical weapon of choice of the twins, is a sly musical joke. Recommended if you like Weill and Brecht, or their modern day counter parts such as Vagabond Opera.

Evelyn Evelyn: Evelyn Evelyn

Evelyn Evelyn is released on Eleven Records & 8ft. records Available on CD and as a double 10" vinyl set. Release date: March 30, 2010.

Tracks:
  1. Evelyn Evelyn
  2. A Campaign of Shock and Awe
  3. The Tragic Events of September Part I
  4. Have You Seen My Sister Evelyn?
  5. Chicken Man
  6. Tragic Events Part II
  7. Sandy Fishnets
  8. Elephant Elephant
  9. You Only Want Me 'Cause You Want My Sister
  10. Tragic Events Part III
  11. My Space
  12. Love Will Tear Us Apart
Live dates:
  • 04/12 Boston, MA – Club Oberon
  • 04/12 Boston, MA - Club Oberon
  • 04/17 Glasgow, UK - Òran Mór
  • 04/19 Dublin, Ireland - The Academy
  • 04/22 London, UK - Koko
  • 04/23 London, UK - Bush Hall
  • 04/24 London, UK - Bush Hall
  • 04/25 London, UK - Bush Hall
  • 04/27 Paris, France - L’Européen
  • 04/28 Amsterdam, The Netherlands - Melkweg
  • 04/29 Hamburg, Germany - Kampnagel
  • 05/01 Berline, Germany - Babylon
  • 05/03 Cologne, Germany - Gloria
  • 05/04 Antwerp, Belgium - Arenbergschouwburg

» myspace.com/evelynevelyn
» twitter.com/Evelynevelyn

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