Tori Amos
 

I wanted to say something about American Doll Posse, but couldn't see a Tori Amos thread. So here.

I'm not familiar with much of her work frankly, and from what I understand American Doll Posse is very different. It's not musically all that remarkable, but I'm pretty impressed by the amount of work that went into the theme and the story, particularly how Tori writes and performs so differently for each character. Album is an earful at 78 minutes to say the least.

Fans? Album I should move to next?

Imo, her best album is her debut, Little Earthquakes, with Under The Pink coming a close second. She peaked musically with these albums, with their memorable piano arrangements and lyrics...after that, I honestly feel like she's been deteriorating as an artist with every subsequent release. She has never trumped her debut, and while those albums I mentioned are quite good, they fall short of reaching masterwork level.

She's got such a massive discog that I'd hate to jump in blindly and get bored before I get to the worthwhile material.

See, I never cared for Under the Pink that much as a whole album. It's got some great songs, but it just doesn't gel well for me. If I had to rank her work, I'd say something like:

1. Little Earthquakes
2. Boys for Pele
3. Scarlet's Walk
4. Under the Pink
5. American Doll Posse
6. To Venus and Back
7. Strange Little Girls
8. The Beekeeper
9. Abnormally Attracted to Sin

I have such a love/hate relationship with Tori, though. I suppose I'll give most things she puts out at least a chance, but I agree she's never trumped the first album (well... technically second, I suppose... Y Kant Tori Read and all that, but that doesn't count)

Boys For Pele and Scarlet's Walk are pretty great too, shoulda mentioned 'em. Word to all of this...I have a weird love/hate relationship with her too. Sometimes I just want to shake her and tell her to shut the fuck up, stop your whining! It's different with someone like, say, Kate Bush, whom I feel nothing but awe for. With Tori my feelings fluctuate.

I really like Scarlet's Walk. Great album.

Best to Worst:
1. Boys for Pele
2. Under the Pink
3. From the Choirgirl Hotel
4. Little Earthquakes
5. Scarlet's Walk
6. To Venus and Back (Disc1&2)
7. American Doll Posse
8. Abnormally Attracted to Sin
9. Strange Little Girls
10. The Beekeeper

Chronological:
Little Earthquakes - It typically stands out as 'the best' from any list her fans create. It's very confessional and lyrically heavy. Although sonically, I feel it lacks. It sounds.. "over-produced." Nonetheless, it's a great album.
Under the Pink - Closely related to Little Earthquakes, it shifts from her singing about herself to an approach of 'storytelling' more or less. Instruments are pristine in this album.
Boys for Pele - Her first self-produced album. My personal favorite. However, usually when I introduce her to others with this album, they often turn away. It's too "weird" they say. It's truly unique and sticks to her nature. This is also when she held her best concerts, this era of 1996-1998.
From the Choirgirl Hotel - She fuddles with musical technology. Rather than her and her piano with the company of percussion and strings, this album takes a turn to include synth.
To Venus and Back - Still including synth, the album lacks sonically and is 'blehh' with lyrics. Although Disc 2, which includes live performances of previous songs, makes up for which Disc 1 couldn't provide.
Strange Little Girls - I don't own this CD anymore. I didn't really like the idea of having all the songs consisting of cover tracks. It's her own spin on things, yes, but, no.
Scarlet's Walk - She relies on her piano again. It's fun and light at some points, dark and serious with others. Good balance, good album.
The Beekeeper - Ugh. It's not her. She took a turn for the worst.
American Doll Posse - She claims this album is the start of her 'new revolution', a rock revolution she claims. She's five different women perceived in the tracks and through these characters she's made up, she sings through them. Good concept.. too much for one album. It's a good listen every now and then, and the songs are truly more fun live...
Abnormally Attracted to Sin - I sort of gave up with this album. I didn't truly try to listen to this one intently, although I can pick a few songs that can be worth listening to...
Don't get me ****ing started on her Christmas album.

That's really the basics of each album to her extensive discography. I do believe if you want to be satisfied with her, start with the first four albums. That truly was at her best. Her redeeming factor was Scarlet's Walk, but that's gone. Like others, a relationship with her is love/hate. Haha. Also, I stressed her being good 'live' at some points is that the fact that I hope you can delve into her concerts and such. The songs do develop a different meaning. I prefer her music live.

Christmas albums in general are violations.

Thanks for the rundown! That was legitimately helpful.

Agreed.

& you're welcome. That's the albums in a 'general' summary. They have more impact when you listen to them--to which I encourage. If you need anything else, just ask. She truly is unique, although her new albums are bollocks.

Love Tori and always will :)

Winter



Spark



Bliss



P.S. And I must say I hate those cynical reviews above. Don't judge, just listen.