There Will Be No Intermission is the third solo project from Amanda Palmer. The ex-Dresden Dolls leader, throughout her long career, has always connected deeply w/ fans through songwriting, and this record also sees Palmer laying out her emotions, especially on tracks like "Voicemail for Jill," which chronicles the painful experience of a friend going through abortion over bearbones piano. As vulnerable as she can be, Palmer also champions inner strength on songs like "Bigger On The Inside": "We are so much bigger / than another one can ever see / but trying is the point of life / so don't stop trying / promise me." Speaking on the album, Palmer says "I've seen how infectious the darkest truths are, when spoken without shame, and I felt like taking any other path would have been a cop-out." Throughout the 20-tracker, Palmer remains uncompromising in delivering the most raw take on issues that surround her, and the stripped down instrumentation allows her voice & message to shine above all. Check out "Machete," "The thing About Things," and "Drowning in the Sound."

• aubergine vinyl
• includes insert
• music label: 8ft. Records 2019

reviewed by dojo cat 04/19