GGotS Review: Evelyn Evelyn

By Kate Kotler

Kate’s Quick Rate: “Loved it, highly recommend it to fans of post-punk indie cabaret in the style of Brecht.”

It is my opinion that art is supposed to push boundaries, challenge and provoke.  When I read about the Evelyn Evelyn drama on Ryan Cooper’s blog (a virtual friend of GGotS & punk music aficionado) I was immediately intrigued to hear the entire conjoined twin singer-songwriter act’s debut album.

Yes: one of the twins has a strangely low voice, making anyone with a whit of sense skeptical as-to-if the twins actually exist or are a theatrical creation of Palmer and Webley.  Yes: the back story of the twins is horridly un-PC and perhaps a lil’ over the top as far as disabled feminists are concerned.

Blah, blah blah – but what of the music?

Regardless of the reality of the twins – Evelyn Evelyn, due out in stores 30 March from 11 Records – is a haunting musical journey through the lives of strangely tragic and compelling characters.  A score marked by heavy violin and calliope and ukulele tell a winding a story of loneliness, heartbreak, love, exploitation and candy bars.

The sad, lyrical story of Eva and Lyn is alternated with bouncy themed songs “reminiscent of the Andrews sisters” that contain cleverly phrased quips and queries of post-Web 2.0 cyber relationships.  Several notable guest stars are featured on the album, including Palmer, Webley, Neil Gaiman, Weird Al Yankovic, Andrew W.K. and others.

I was honestly torn between crying while listening to “the series tragic events” and doing the Charleston while listening to tracks such as “Have You Seen My Sister Evelyn?” and “Elephant Elephant.”  Not to mention that my inner-80s goth girl was moodily sulking in the corner with black-hearted gloomy-glee while listening to the sisters’ version of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart.”

I may have to put on all black, go to a coffee shop, smoke some clove cigarettes and write an angsty poem to be able to really describe my true feelings for this song…

It might be easy to criticize Palmer and Webley for treating the subjects of disability and sexual abuse and exploitation with a skewed and sarcastic humor; but, again, art is supposed to push boundaries, provoke and challenge.  It’s not supposed to be easy or comfortable or “politically correct.”

If nothing else, the release of Evelyn Evelyn has started a conversation.

And the music is GREAT.

Check out a sneak peek of Evelyn Evelyn: Have You Seen My Sister Evelyn? (MP3)

[Advanced copy, cover art and promotional photo of Evelyn Evelyn provided by Girlie Action Media.]