"punk cabaret" -- They're a duo, piano and drums usually. The music is rather Brechtian. Check out the website: [link]

The Dresden Dolls are a lot of fun. I need to go pick up the new CD.

"Coin Operated Boy" seems to be their best loved song, though I expect opinions will vary.

I'm very fond of "Good Day" the lead track off the first album (with the great kiss-off line "I'd like to do more than survive, I'd like to rub it in your face!") and "Gravity", and I'd be hard pressed to come up with a scarier psycho-chick song than "Missed Me."

I really need to get around to listening to the new disc. My listening habits have gotten appalling.

from a cow-orker:

I've been trying to find out what song/band it is in The Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco during the scene where it shows the brothers wrestling....some fun flamenco-style music. I've checked the few boards I know of and nobody knows the origin of said music. Any chance you might or know of a place I don't to search for that info?

Can anyone help?

I remember somebody here had an opinion about it but was too lazy to search for it.

Sure, that's what everyone tells the nitwit.

Now Playing: Budella (Blues Skies) - Ella Fitzgerald & Buddy Rich

OMG. Jazz accordion.

I friggin' hate octopi. Die octopus scum.

Non-Spring! Sibling!

And on topic, anybody else heard of The Gossip? I've been seeing their video "Standing in the Way of Control" on Logo. Lead singer Beth Ditto sounds like she's trying to channel Janis Joplin, and quite successfully, too.

(Edited to correct the lead singer's name.)

So, yesterday and today, CNN.com had a pair of articles on the worst songs ever written.

Worth a nice giggle, and seeing how your opinions on the subject match up with the author and readers.

Sorry, Fred, I haven't heard The Gossip.

I have finally gotten around to loading my (xmas) iPod. I'm so 90s. (Also, I didn't get a CD player until they stopped making LPs for most domestic releases.)

Who's got a favorite podcast to share?

I loaded up the iPod so I could listen to Tom Waits while I'm sitting in cafes working on the book. I've been circling around Swordfishtrombones and careful not to listen to it now because I don't want to get burned out on it. So I'm listening to the rest of his catalogue.

As punishment for your sins, I'll be posting a few TW playlists at Buffistarawk. Sort of a thinking out loud process for me, as I view his songwriting through various lenses and prisms: Tom the folkie, Tom the jazz balladeer, Tom the avant noisemaker, Tom the pop craftsman, Tom the mutant bluesman, Tom MacHeath, Tom the storyteller, Tom the jazz hipster, Tom the mud-mucker, Tom a' Bedlam, etcetera.

Trivia: Name the two different categories in which Tom has won grammies. Notable because these are not where you'd normally stack his CDs in the record store.

Answer: Alternative for Bone Machine, Contemporary Folk for Mule Variations

Plus, since I know his voice is an impediment to entry for some, I'll do a whole set of covers. Though listening to his earlier tracks like "Ol '55" or even "Heart of Saturday Night" I'm struck by how well he can sing in a fairly conventional voice. Not great, but without the deep phlegmy gargle some dislike.

t /Tom Likes Carrots For the Next Year

Now Playing: "The Pop Singer's Fear Of The Pollen Count" - Divine Comedy

And on topic, anybody else heard of The Gossip?

Yeah! I am so jealous of her powerful voice. (Also, her youth but that's fleeting so...)