Amanda Palmer and The Grand Theft Orchestra – Theatre Is Evil

From the beginning, Theatre Is Evil sets out to be a big record in terms of themes, production and overall length. In part, it succeeds admirably but at times is hampered by disparate styles and an unwieldy tracklisting. The cabaret rock of Do It With A Rockstar and Lost are dizzy highlights whilst the Cure-esque Grown Man Cry and the glacially gorgeous piano ballad Trout Heart Replica are a welcome respite from the previous bombast.

Had the indulgent Bed Song or the bubblegum rock of Massachusetts Avenue been snipped from the line-up, it’d be to the album’s credit. Thankfully, Palmer’s voice and semi-biographical lyrics are in fine form throughout and her domineering presence goes a long way to papering over the cracks, slight though they are. Theatre Is Evil's sheer scale and ambition will spell out love for her legion of devout fans, but for those casually looking in this is more of an enjoyable frisson.