10. The Dresden Dolls – Yes, Virginia (2006)This album is one record that will probably stick out quite a bit on my list, but I don't really care. The Dresden Dolls are the favourite band of my father, and while our musical interests have drifted apart quite a bit (and have recently come a little closer again, though that's too recent to be reflected on this list), The Dresden Dolls are a band that I have always enjoyed, not quite as much as my dad, but a lot anyway.
Yes, Virginia is their second album, and while their first album is very good as well (and features their best known song, "Coin Operated Boy"), this one is an improvement in every aspect – the songs are more memorable, more varied, the piano playing and singing of Amanda Palmer is more creative and expressive than on the debut, and Brian Viglione delivers one of the most tasteful drumming performances that I know on this album. This is probably one of the most sparsely-instrumentated albums that I know, with the only instruments here being drums and piano, plus the very, very rare guitar appearance, but the duo of Palmer and Viglione create such an amazingly full sound that you rarely notice that it's actually only two people. Highly recommended to anyone that likes good female vocals and piano-driven rock.
Favourite tracks: Modern Moonlight, My Alcoholic Friends, Delilah, First Orgasm, Mrs. O., Shores of California, Mandy Goes to Med School, Sing