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Post by MattyJam on Aug 1, 2017 21:35:43 GMT
Let me know how you get on with repeated listens. I think the next three albums you should check out are:
Boys For Pele - a lot less production than Choirgirl, mainly just Tori and her piano. Very angry, haunting album, recorded in a cathedral.
Scarlet's Walk - the beginning of a new chapter in her music, about a road trip across America, very rootsy, organic sounding and completely different to her 90s work.
Abnormally Attracted To Sin - One of her more recent albums, quite accessible and more commercial sounding (for Tori). An album I would say successfully melds a lot of her different styles together on one album... a good mix of electronica, a bit of rock-pop and a few acoustic piano tracks.
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Post by aazzaabb on Aug 2, 2017 0:44:20 GMT
Those are on the list! I'm looking forward to listening to Choirgirl again and Abnormally Attracted To Sin sounds up my street also because I do like a bit of electronica too. They all sound interesting in their own way. Choirgirl was more enjoyable than I expected. It wasn't the hard work I thought it was possibly going to be.
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Post by MattyJam on Aug 2, 2017 17:41:48 GMT
Those are on the list! I'm looking forward to listening to Choirgirl again and Abnormally Attracted To Sin sounds up my street also because I do like a bit of electronica too. They all sound interesting in their own way. Choirgirl was more enjoyable than I expected. It wasn't the hard work I thought it was possibly going to be. Pleased to hear it azzaabb. Keep me posted on your progress.  |
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Post by aazzaabb on Aug 2, 2017 23:01:12 GMT
I've just learned that some of Boys For Pele was recorded where I'm from 'Cork Ireland, and also in Wicklow! I'm in! Must give this a listen next! Watched those 2 live videos -Jools Holland and Sessions. Great performances!!
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Post by MattyJam on Aug 3, 2017 7:32:42 GMT
Pele is a great record. Just avoid the version where the label tacked on Professional Widow dance remix in the middle of the album. Seriously, talk about drawing a moustache on the Mona Lisa.
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Post by aazzaabb on Aug 3, 2017 23:59:24 GMT
That dance mix was massive back in the day. But they substituted the album version for that mix? My gawd! That must really mess with the cohesion and context of the album. That's crazy. I didn't think Tori would be the type to let that happen. Must have been the label going after the commercial thing, but damn, right in the middle of the record?! Like not even as a bonus track at the end! It was massive though.
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Post by MattyJam on Aug 4, 2017 8:43:39 GMT
That dance mix was massive back in the day. But they substituted the album version for that mix? My gawd! That must really mess with the cohesion and context of the album. That's crazy. I didn't think Tori would be the type to let that happen. Must have been the label going after the commercial thing, but damn, right in the middle of the record?! Like not even as a bonus track at the end! It was massive though. IIRC, they didn't replace it, they just added it, smack bang in the middle of the album, following the original version, which yes, completely ruins the cohesion of the original album. Once you hear the original version of Professional Widow, you will hear how sacrilegious the dance mix is - it's the bain of every Tori Amos fans existence. We're talking Tony Morans History Lesson levels of blasphemy here. |
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Post by aazzaabb on Aug 4, 2017 19:43:42 GMT
I'm listening to Boys For Pele now. Finding it hard work but it's interesting and it would probably take a few listens to get into. Hey Jupiter has an almost Purple Rain moment. Professional Widow is a different song to the remix! Like competely different, there's even lyrics in it.! Liking it from around track 8 where the tempo picks up a bit. Talula is superb. Not the Red Baron is beautiful. This has gotten better the further in I'm going.
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Post by MattyJam on Aug 4, 2017 20:13:46 GMT
Professional Widow original is a masterpiece imo. Ironically, her least commercial record produced her biggest hit, albeit a remix. You have to admire when an artist has the balls to shun the mainstream in favour of following their muse. Pele is the first album she was allowed to solely self produce and she really didn't give a flying fuck about following up the massive success of Cornflake Girl with something similarly radio friendly.
Is there a greater closing line in the history of popular music than "give me peace, love and a hard cock"? Btw, in case you're wondering what a Professional Widow is, she's singing about Courtney Love.
You noticed the Prince bit in Hey Jupiter then? I think it was a deliberate lift from Purple Rain, as she is a big fan of the Purple One.
My favourite Pele songs are Muhammad My Friend, Professional Widow and Horses.
I will be really curious to see what you make of her more recent albums. I think you'll probably be a bit surprised hearing something like The Beekeeper or Abnormally Attracted To Sin, as she became a lot more commercial sounding over the last decade.
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Post by aazzaabb on Aug 4, 2017 21:54:37 GMT
Professional Widow original is a masterpiece imo. Ironically, her least commercial record produced her biggest hit, albeit a remix. You have to admire when an artist has the balls to shun the mainstream in favour of following their muse. Pele is the first album she was allowed to solely self produce and she really didn't give a flying fuck about following up the massive success of Cornflake Girl with something similarly radio friendly. Is there a greater closing line in the history of popular music than "give me peace, love and a hard cock"? Btw, in case you're wondering what a Professional Widow is, she's singing about Courtney Love. You noticed the Prince bit in Hey Jupiter then? I think it was a deliberate lift from Purple Rain, as she is a big fan of the Purple One. My favourite Pele songs are Muhammad My Friend, Professional Widow and Horses. I will be really curious to see what you make of her more recent albums. I think you'll probably be a bit surprised hearing something like The Beekeeper or Abnormally Attracted To Sin, as she became a lot more commercial sounding over the last decade. That whole Courtney Love thing is something that rings a bell with me. I may have read that somewhere before. It definitely puts the song into context and it's amazing the difference it makes just to know a little tidbit like this, so thanks for that little note. Yeah, that Purple Rain moment gave me chills! I was like "Damn! she doin' Prince??!" If she's a fan its got to be a little nod. Love that. Muhammad My Friend and Professional Widow definitely grabbed me. Listening back to them now. Proffesional Widow is a bit psycho. Pele was hard work, but from around track 9 -lets say from 8 to include Muhammad- it takes off. On first listen Choirgirl grabbed me a bit more, perhaps it was slightly more accessible, this just required a bit more attention but I would imagine a few more listens, a bit more delving into the story behind it will only make it better. Something a bit more commercial is welcomed after this one. She's exercised a few demons on this so i'll go with either The Beekeeper or Abnormally Attracted To Sin, you may choose! And to think I entered this thread indignant and with the thought that infact Madonna -well for me probably Kate Bush- was the real queen of pop!! And TonyR has also vanished!! What have you done with him?!  |
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Post by aazzaabb on Aug 5, 2017 1:40:13 GMT
So I'm still awake and decided to give Little Earthquakes a listen. Again it took until around the midway mark before I got into it. Loving 'Winter, China and Leather which is where I'm up to right now. Edit: on Tear in Your Hand now, love the piano rif on this. I also learned that she has a holiday home in Kinsale where I attended college for a few years and isn't far from my Mothers. Kinsale is a very arty fishing village so it's ideal for someone like Tori Amos. She has the house since the mid 90's. I never knew she had such a relationship with Ireland, but then all I really knew was that lovely Profesional Widow remix that you love so much. Little Earthquakes is good. Matty what's your take on it? Next will be The Beekeeper or Abnormally Attracted to Sin. Also Liberian Girl? Where are you? Join in, would love some input/feedback. Me and a Gun is a beautiful melody ,a lovely acapella, her voice is great. |
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Post by MattyJam on Aug 5, 2017 3:13:09 GMT
Little Earthquakes is a great debut. Precious Things is probably my favourite and always a great live track.
I did laugh to myself seeing you describe Me & A Gun as "lovely". I think that's the first time I've ever heard that word ascribed to that song. It was actually a true experience, she talks quite openly about having been raped at gunpoint, which was the inspiration behind Me & A Gun.
The Beekeeper is a beautiful record and one of my favourites. She had just become a mother and newfound motherhood seemed to really exorcise a lot of demons within her. Its a very melodic record, I would say it's her most accessible album (even my mum loves it) and pretty much the polar opposite of Boys For Pele. Seeing as you enjoyed Jackies Strength so much, I would go with The Beekeeper.
There's also a little song on there called "Ireland" that I suspect you may enjoy.
As for Tony R, I think he's found someone else. Personally, I didn't see it coming, but it was probably best for the kids.
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Post by Liberian Girl on Aug 5, 2017 8:37:17 GMT
Also Liberian Girl? Where are you? Join in, would love some input/feedback.. Ah, sorry! Never meant to abandon this thread. As you know, I absolutely love Tori Amos. I've seen her live more than any other artist, and have a deep respect for her work. Really cool to see you're trying out her albums. I know some of the early albums can almost feel like "hard work" at first, particularly Pele, but there comes an almost "breakthrough" moment where it all clicks - when you hit that moment, you'll love her, trust me. All it is, is that her older music is often very different, not often commercial sounding at all. But that's what makes her special, because her work is SO unique. It's why the common comparison to Kate Bush can sometimes frustrate fans, because Tori has worked hard to create her own style. I'd definitely be interested to know what you think of later albums, such as Beekeeper, American Doll Posse, Abnormally Attracted to Sin etc, as they are much more lighter sounding and a bit more commercial. I love both sides of her work - older, harder to get stuff and the easy, melodic sounds of her later years. Ultimately, though, my favourite album of hers is Choirgirl Hotel - brilliant on every level. I'll definitely follow your journey to discovering her on here  |
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Post by aazzaabb on Aug 5, 2017 22:49:33 GMT
@matty, Well that puts Me & A Gun into a whole new light! Still, that voice is "lovely" and she's turned a horrendous experience into art. From great tragedy comes great art. All of the greats are tortured souls and it rases this whole thing about 'if they hadn't gone through their life experience would their work have had such resonance?' Something brought this to mind recently actually on another thread where fans were talking about 'if MJ hadn't gone through 93 would he have created something as equally brilliant?' Just a thought. On the other hand Kate Bush released The Red Shoes after her Mother passed away. I love The Red Shoes but many including Kate Bush have wrote the album off. Prince had his share of inner turmoil too. I often wonder is that why he was so talented; in so much pain that he began to reject elements of being human and just completely escape into music as an escape from dealing with life issues. I'll do The Beekeeper next and I welcome a bit of accesable pop, although you do say she exercises a few demons on it, if it's the polar opposite to Pele it's welcomed. I did really enjoy that album though, thus far I think I would rank them in the order I listened to them; Choirgirl Hotel, Boys for Pele, Little Earthquakes. All great like but Choirgirl Hotel grabbed me from the start. I tried to warn you that TonyR would break your heart!! And the kids!! Those poor kids...... He'll be back! They'll both be back! @liberian Girl, yeah, waiting for that "breakthrough" moment, although I've had a few "nice" moments but still waiting for the big one. Isn't that one of the greatest things when a light goes on and it's just Boom!! Everything just clicks into place. I think from here on in I'll read the lyrics along to listening also as I'm probably missing a lot. Yes, so The Beekeeper will be next and then perhaps Abnormally Attracted to Sin. Yes follow along on the journey, it's gonna be good. |
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Post by danileevanbuskirk on Aug 6, 2017 10:18:10 GMT
Loved Tori since I was a kid. Boys for Pele and Under The Pink were my favs. Used to listen to them daily. She is coming over to Seattle soon so I am hoping to see her live in a month or two..
I would have thought I was the only hardcore MJ fan who liked Tori, but alas I am not..Good to know
Dani
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