Tori Amos

by **theberen** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 2:23 pm

American Doll Posse is the only album I own by Tori, though I bought the promo single for 'Sleeps With Butterflies' as well.

ADP is, as others have said, far too long & stuffed with filler but there are a few good tracks - 'Bouncing Off Clouds', 'Girl Disappearing', 'The Beauty Of Speed', 'Secret Spell', 'Big Wheel', 'Almost Rosey' & 'Digital Ghost', but for an album with 20+ tracks 7 good ones just isn't enough.

I didn't like what I heard from Abnormally Attracted To Sin so I've never investigated her music further.

by **mattsky** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 2:33 pm

theberen wrote:American Doll Posse is the only album I own by Tori, though I bought the promo single for 'Sleeps With Butterflies' as well.

ADP is, as others have said, far too long & stuffed with filler but there are a few good tracks - 'Bouncing Off Clouds', 'Girl Disappearing', 'The Beauty Of Speed', 'Secret Spell', 'Big Wheel', 'Almost Rosey' & 'Digital Ghost', but for an album with 20+ tracks 7 good ones just isn't enough.

I didn't like what I heard from Abnormally Attracted To Sin so I've never investigated her music further.

So you know her worst albums

Little Earthquakes
Boys For Pele
Under The Pink
Scarlet's Walk
From the choirgirl
are her best albums

Website · by **Cactuar** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 2:33 pm

theberen wrote:ADP is, as others have said, far too long & stuffed with filler but there are a few good tracks - 'Bouncing Off Clouds', 'Girl Disappearing', 'The Beauty Of Speed', 'Secret Spell', 'Big Wheel', 'Almost Rosey' & 'Digital Ghost', but for an album with 20+ tracks 7 good ones just isn't enough.

Same here! I think it would have made a smashing album if she pruned it. She never prunes these days, it's like she just chucks whatever she writes onto a record until the maximum length is reached.

I think it's partly because she hasn't been releasing singles. It's like all the B-sides make their way onto the record.

Boys For Pele, Under The Pink, From The Choirgirl Hotel and Little Earthquakes are her best albums! 8-)

by **Tiger** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 2:45 pm

I would say that AATS is about 60% filler, I loved ADP. I don't like her obsession with cramming albums with 20+ tracks.

by **Vindrag** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 3:14 pm

I am too busy to write a longer post which I've planned on doing about some comments in here. I am finally discovering the beauty of The Beekeeper and the creativity is now flowing. Someone said this is a happy record? :roll:

I cant agree...

"Cause it never was the cars and guitars..."

by **Vindrag** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 3:28 pm

I fully understand what some of you mean with "mysterious", but what about cutting edge? Would someone please explain how this is supposed to be expressed muscially?

And doesnt most of the songs on AATS have a mysterious soundscapes? American Doll Posse.. now this one I can understand more - but the reason why I consider this album so magnificent is because the very clear pop/rock touch she gave it which is quite unusual for Tori.

Remember hearing the preview of Bouncing Off Clouds and thinking: "WOW!! Billboard #1 smash coming"

I like the simplicity of that record, and Beren wrote down some of it's better tracks, altough excluding Dragon & Smokey Joe. Some of the tracks here are not fantastic in any way, but still they have a very characteristically thoughtful exchange to offer - which is enough for me to enjoy a Tori track.

A feeling of mysticism or "cutting edge" (from what I can understand) must not be expressed through heavily powerful sound productions etc. That's what I've discovered with The Beekeeper, the small, small details that lies hidden between the lines, a concept she's been working with on the latest albums instead of being straight forward. The cutting edge can be found within these little lines.

Isnt songs like: Flavor, Lady In Blue, That Guy, Give or Abnormally Attracted To Sin mysterious or/and cutting edge?

However, everyone has their own opinion, and in mine: she still has what it takes to confuse me enough to love her even more!

by **Vindrag** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 3:32 pm

The length of her records... yes!
Somehow the albums could be much more "perfection" if she would've excluded some of the tracks, but the songs that I dislike may be another persons favourite? Which I've noticed is pretty much true.

Even if she releases songs on her albums which are not so great, I somehow still appreciate the fact she gives so much to her fans. It seemed like the reviewers of AATS complained more about the length than the music, and I guess Tori herself have realized that her albums are for her fans and that she wont gain a much bigger one even if she would make shorter albums.

by **mattsky** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 5:45 pm

Tiger wrote:I would say that AATS is about 60% filler, I loved ADP. I don't like her obsession with cramming albums with 20+ tracks.

Now I think that AATS is better than ADP

Website · by **Cactuar** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 12:58 am

The Beekeeper is a happy record relative to her other work. She was never that sedated in a record, because if you've been following her career you'll notice that up to that point her music/lyrics have been rather heavy. The Beekeeper was a turning point, and she went to lighter material from there on.

There's nothing wrong with her music from ADP onwards, but it doesn't sound as her usual self. To me it isn't about her being "cutting edge" (she isn't), it's just about her losing her edge. She used to have this thing where she's so different from everyone else because of her lyrics and song structures. Over time she's gotten more and more traditional and abandoned the shockingly honest nature of her earlier material.

She just hasn't been challenging conventions as of late but that's fine, she's done plenty already in her long career.

AATS has a great sound actually, like someone mentioned, almost "medieval" sounding. The songs aren't strong though. I don't get why she insists on filler like "Not Dying Today", "500 Miles", "Strong Black Wine", "Fast Horse" which have nice lyrics but musically are dreadful.

Vindrag wrote:Even if she releases songs on her albums which are not so great, I somehow still appreciate the fact she gives so much to her fans. It seemed like the reviewers of AATS complained more about the length than the music, and I guess Tori herself have realized that her albums are for her fans and that she wont gain a much bigger one even if she would make shorter albums.

Are you sure she's doing it for her fans, or for herself? In her autobiography "Piece By Piece", she mentions that her songs are magical creatures who need a home of sorts, and she's very attached to them emotionally. Personally I see it as her not wanting to waste any shred of inspiration as her only method of release these days is through albums and not singles.

As for the perception that "fans like more material even if it's filler", I strongly disagree. Very few serious music listeners have that mentality, and her sales have been falling ever since Scarlet's Walk, so her fanbase is actually shrinking.

Just my 50 cents.

by **Vindrag** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 7:52 pm

I've forgotten to answer that post Cactuar :oops:

But for tonight I just wanted to share to quite new performances by Tori, they are both included in the new Live Dvd (which is just amazing)!!!

Girl
http://theartistsden.com/episodes/amos.shtml

(She is somehow adorable in the beginning)

Concertina
http://vimeo.com/14693004

It's 100 fans and Tori Amos all by herself, she sounds really good and seems to be happy, but if you're a fan order the whole dvd: everything about it is so exclusive and great. Her singing sounds the best in 5 years and this is how she should tour next time, all by herself and her piano.

by **irishguy28** » Tue Oct 12, 2010 9:19 am

She played a show with the Metropole Orkest in Amsterdam on Friday evening - one of several invited guests to share the stage with the orchestra during the so-called "Week of the Metropole" - I'd have loved to have gone. The reviews have been fantastic.

by **Vindrag** » Tue Oct 12, 2010 6:16 pm

I cant seem to find any review of that show, are any avaliable on the net?

by **irishguy28** » Thu Oct 14, 2010 2:07 pm

Vindrag wrote:I cant seem to find any review of that show, are any avaliable on the net?

Winter

Muziek.nl - 4/5
Oor.nl

by **Benjamin** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 9:17 pm

I've been listening to 'A Sorta Fairytale' on repeat for about 40 mins now. I swear it's one of the most beautiful songs ever written.

by **Cmyk** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 9:18 pm

BanZai wrote:I've been listening to 'A Sorta Fairytale' on repeat for about 40 mins now. I swear it's one of the most beautiful songs ever written.

Oh yeeees. Love it.

by **irishguy28** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 9:25 pm

BanZai wrote:I've been listening to 'A Sorta Fairytale' on repeat for about 40 mins now. I swear it's one of the most beautiful songs ever written.

I listened to it a couple of times on Saturday for the first time in years...

by **Benjamin** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 9:29 pm

irishguy28 wrote:
BanZai wrote:I've been listening to 'A Sorta Fairytale' on repeat for about 40 mins now. I swear it's one of the most beautiful songs ever written.
I listened to it a couple of times on Saturday for the first time in years...

In years? Wow! I couldn't go on so long without listening to it. I listen to the song at least once a week or so. It's one of my all time favorite songs and I somehow never get bored of it. It never loses it's magical touch either.

How was it for you, to listen to it again?

by **CrazyCrazy** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 9:35 pm

One of Tori's top tunes! 8-)

by **irishguy28** » Tue Feb 08, 2011 2:18 pm

BanZai wrote:How was it for you, to listen to it again?

It was good! Great, even!!

It brought memories flooding back. I was living in Melbourne at the time, and a friend there bought the "Scarlet's Walk" CD for me on the morning of release before I even had a chance to buy it for myself. (Actually, I think he somehow managed to buy it before its official release date).

I still can't help disliking the video, though...

by **Benjamin** » Tue Feb 08, 2011 4:38 pm

irishguy28 wrote:
BanZai wrote:How was it for you, to listen to it again?
It was good! Great, even!!

It brought memories flooding back. I was living in Melbourne at the time, and a friend there bought the "Scarlet's Walk" CD for me on the morning of release before I even had a chance to buy it for myself. (Actually, I think he somehow managed to buy it before its official release date).

I still can't help disliking the video, though...

Oh wow! Good memories.

I agree - I actually hate the video, but I do really LOVE the alternate video. It's from a Tori dvd (I forgot which one), and it's basically just images of Tori wandering around, but it's just magical. I think it was shot during the photoshoot for the album's artwork. I couldn't find it on youtube, so I finally found it elsewhere and uploaded it myself. It's everything the original 'A Sorta Fairtale' should have been:

A Sorta Fairytale - alternate version

I love this one to pieces.

by **taxi** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 1:36 pm

Some funny and cute moments

This is taken from PunkD i think:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLCMC1yD ... re=related

She messed up during Mr Zebra:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3wkIpX8fNY

The cutest! She forgot some of the lyrics of Hey Jupiter, skip to 3:10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NahEeEN8 ... re=related

"H comes before what Martha??"
"Iiiiiiiii'm at the wrong song"

:lol:

LEGEND

by **Vindrag** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 8:57 pm

"Thought I knew my words so well"

Yes, she is a legend in my eyes! I love these videos just as much as I love many other memorable moments with Myra Ellen! I have had many inspiring nights exploring her career and person via youtube, there are alot of fun and touching videos on there!

One of my favourite performances
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcBBalxG ... re=related

Baker Baker from 1994 on Jay Leno
2:24 says everything..

by **Benjamin** » Wed May 18, 2011 9:50 pm

I'm having one of those 'Scarlet's Walk' night again. I keep on playing 'A Sorta Fairytale'. The song's just amazing.

Another thing:

It bothers me when people say things like "GaGa is so deep. Her lyrics are so inspiring!" Obviously that means that person hasn't paid attention to any Tori Amos song in his life. Anyone who thinks one of today's big pop stars has deep lyrics, should listen to Tori. She's the queen of telling stories and sending messages through her music. The most beautiful thing about her lyrics is that they aren't that obvious or cliché. She keeps it vague and uses metaphores. Praise this woman. She's a genius. /rant

by **Benjamin** » Thu May 19, 2011 2:58 pm

Oh - and tell me, HOW amazing is the 'Spark' music video? I'm totally obsessed with it again. Watched it several times today. I remember I used to be scared when I was little and this came on MTV. Good old days.

Lately I've been going deeper into Tori's music, lyrics, ideas and stories. She really is one of the greatest artists of all time. I think I upgraded myself from 'fan' to 'super-fan' lol. LOVE.

by **mattsky** » Thu May 19, 2011 3:06 pm

BanZai wrote:I'm having one of those 'Scarlet's Walk' night again. I keep on playing 'A Sorta Fairytale'. The song's just amazing.

Another thing:

It bothers me when people say things like "GaGa is so deep. Her lyrics are so inspiring!" Obviously that means that person hasn't paid attention to any Tori Amos song in his life. Anyone who thinks one of today's big pop stars has deep lyrics, should listen to Tori. She's the queen of telling stories and sending messages through her music. The most beautiful thing about her lyrics is that they aren't that obvious or cliché. She keeps it vague and uses metaphores. Praise this woman. She's a genius. /rant

People who call GaGa deep don't know Tori, Kate Bush, Alanis Morissette, or even Jewel and Natalie Imbruglia!
:lol: