“Drive another nail in just what God needs, one more victim.”
TORI AMOS has produced a contingent of beautiful music over the past 12 years. Now, for the first time, we’re sent a collection of stars and faeries that will amaze new discoverers and set fans floating on musical bliss. However, this is not a “best of” compilation as there’s no representative from 2 of her 7 CDs. Additionally, there are blatant absentees such as ‘Cooling’ and ‘Waitress’.
What we do get are 18 tracks picked by TORI (and not by the record label) and new sweeteners, ‘Snow Cherries From France’ and ‘Angels’. B-side inclusions are ‘Sweet Dreams’ and ‘Mary’.
Like many intelligent and creative folk (she was a child prodigy and a damn good piano player at age 4), TORI has severe introspective moments. Where most would succumb to dark expression, she’s like lightning in a distant storm. Religion plays as themes and metaphors. It’s explored or whispered in ‘Precious Things’, ‘Me and a Gun’, ‘Angels’, ‘God’ and ‘Crucify’. There’s a frustration within Tori yet, despite lyrics like “got enough guilt to start my own religion”, she never depresses the listener ’cause her melody buoys contemplation into nostalgia.
My one disappointment is the abnormal inclusion of the dance track, ‘Professional Widow’. Ethereal gets burnt so that a beat can kick in. Then again, i do despise dance music. I forgive ’cause there are so many great songs and ‘Bliss’, my favourite is amongst them. TORI AMOS is a wonder and you’d do well to behold Tales of a Librarian.
“All the world is
All I am,
the black of the blackest ocean
and that tear in your hand
All the world is DANGLIN’…danglin’…danglin’ for me DARLIN’
You don’t know the power that you have
with that tear in your hand.”
"TORI has severe introspective moments. Where most would succumb to dark expression, she’s like lightning in a distant storm." I agree, Tori is always introspective whenever she writes a song.
Also, here's The Beautiful Ad-lib of Tori Amos http://bit.ly/cbnNGZ, not that common you hear Tori in this light
Dark intellectuals such as her are always appreciated. Makes for thoughtful and impassioned music.
I was introduced to her music through a friend, and although it was not on my usual list of music, it slowly grabbed my attention as one of the most poetic and powerful and influential female artists. She is right up there with Alanis Morrisette and Ani de Franco for me. I like the title of this album.
She became poppier after this. Loved those earlier days, somehow sweet despite being so dark and intellectual.