Amanda Palmer

Amanda Palmer / Photo by Beth Hommel

What? Amanda Palmer's just-released record isn't simply a collection of songs, but a full fledged multimedia experience that includes an exclusive online video series and a companion book of photography. The album, entitled Who Killed Amanda Palmer?, which can be purchased with various extras for up to $100 through her website, is a cryptic affair influenced by spooky TV series Twin Peaks and laced with staccato piano, sweeping cello, and often mile-a-minute confessionals. Palmer, who called the result "biblical" in a chat with SPIN.com, delivers on apocalyptic blitzes like "Runs In The Family" and heavenly ballads like "Ampersand."

Who? Palmer, one half of Boston's cabaret-pop act the Dresden Dolls, kept in good company while recording her debut solo effort, joining piano-pop maven and producer Ben Folds in his Nashville studio, and inviting the likes of ex-Rasputina cellist Zoë Keating, Easy Bay Ray of Dead Kennedys, and Annie Clark (St. Vincent, Polyphonic Spree) aboard as guest collaborators. Frequent Dolls colleague Michael Pop added a few creative bits, directing the accompanying video collection for the album, which can be seen on Palmer's YouTube channel.

Fun Fact: Amanda Palmer has also gained notoriety as a living statue, working as "The Eight Foot Bride" in Harvard Square and studying under one of the world's most famous mimes, Marcel Marceau. In addition to her work with the Dresden Dolls, she has taken her performance art to Germany and Australia as part of Boston-based group the Shadowbox Collective.

Now Hear This: Amanda Palmer, "Leeds United"