No, Virginia...
by Dresden Dolls
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Considering that it's an album of leftovers--one B-side from "Yes, Virginia...," four unreleased recordings, one old demo, a cover, and five new recordings, to be exact--the songs on No, Virginia... are unexpectedly strong.
  2. Billboard
    70
    Some cuts, like the cover of 'Pretty in Pink,' or the tensionless march of 'Mouse and the Model,' didn't need to be resurrected. But others, like the singalong rolling notes of 'Sorry Bunch' or 'Night Reconnaissance,' a multipart romp about middle-class vagrants, can stand with the Dolls' A-sides.
  3. Boston Globe
    70
    Considering the album's disparate origins, its slightly disjointed feel makes sense but doesn't keep it from being a solid must-have for fans.
  5. NOW Magazine
    60
    Hopefully, the band will release new material soon, but No, Virginia is a good snack before the next meal.
  6. Paste Magazine
    70
    Missteps aside, No, Virginia is a solid effort that proves there’s more depth to the Dolls then just pancake makeup and vampy lingerie.
  7. The New York Times
    70
    The turbulent choruses, allusive wordplay and pounding piano interludes faithfully hew to the self-defined subgenre Brechtian-punk cabaret.
  8. PopMatters
    70
    As it is, though, it’s a very respectable compilation by one of the more clever bands in indie rock today, good enough to keep the Dresden Dolls’ fans satisfied for another year.
  9. The Boston Phoenix
    88
    No, Virginia ranks with Elvis Costello’s "Taking Liberties" as a B-sides/leftovers album that turns out to be more fun and more revealing than a thought-out official release.
  10. Spin
    70
    No, Virginia compiles a clutch of new tunes, old demos, B-sides, and cast-offs from the previous album, but it scores biggest with an obsessed fan's accordion-powered rendition of the Psychedelic Furs' 'Pretty in Pink.'
  11. Blender
    60
    Fervent and fierce, with a half-earned world-weariness that can recall Johnny Rotten himself, the Dresden Dolls mean to make goth theatrically smart. Quite often, they do. [July 2008, p.71]
  12. Uncut
    60
    This is a less than ideal introduction to the oeuvre of the usually intriguing 'Dolls. [July 2008, p.93]
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  13. Alternative Press
    80
    Given the collection's remarkable cohesion, No Virginia works as a proper third album, instead of merely being a companion piece to the previous disc. [July 2008, p.170]
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  14. Q Magazine
    60
    Although it holds together better than out-takes album might, newcomers should start elsewhere. [July 2008, p.101]
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  15. Pitchfork
    71
    In a way, they don't even try to [reconcile their spotlight-swallowing energy], and that makes No, Virginia... an album on par with the Dolls' two fully conceived LPs.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 2 out of 11
  1. DanielC.
    Jun 2, 2008
    9
    Although some of these are outakes and B-sides from the Yes, Virginia sessions I actually like this album more than I like Yes, Virginia. Although some of these are outakes and B-sides from the Yes, Virginia sessions I actually like this album more than I like Yes, Virginia. Most of the songs are really good and the couple of songs that aren't my favorites still have their moments. Good Stuff.… Full Review »
  2. psychoman
    Jun 1, 2008
    7
    To use a tried-and-true phrase: Lesser bands could make a career out of the B-sides of the Dresden Dolls. Some of the material sounds To use a tried-and-true phrase: Lesser bands could make a career out of the B-sides of the Dresden Dolls. Some of the material sounds under-rehearsed and stays one step behind the tightly-knit performances of Yes, Virginia, but Amanda and Brian shine throughout with their unique take on things pop and not pop. Subversive without being tiresome, ironic without descending into sarcasm, catchy but never trite - and thank you for the nostalgic walk down pretty-in-pink lane, which never fails to make me smile. Time to count the weeks til Amanda's solo album comes out.… Full Review »
  3. ClarkC
    Jun 1, 2008
    1
    WOW these guys are screwed up... wait they ARE guys right? p.s. it gets a 1 just because it isnt rap.
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