The Official Tori Amos Thread

[Mad_Cactuar]

Cough it up. I know there's fans here, and I'll hunt all ya'll down.

Tori's Awesome Albums
Y Kant Tori Read
Little Earthquakes
Under The Pink
Boys for Pele
From the Choirgirl Hotel
To Venus and Back
Strange Little Girls
Scarlet's Walk
Tales of a Librarian
The Beekeeper
A Piano: The Collection
untitled upcoming studio album

Come on!
What are your favourite albums?
What are your favourite songs?
What are your favourite videos?
What are your favourite lyrics?
What do you think of each of her albums?
Speak up!

[..:Hot:Like:Wow:..]

The only time i've heard anything about her was when she was on Rove Live.

[explodingbird]

Ah, Tori. She's an enigma to me. I don't know what I think of her... great voice (although it SUCKED on The Beekeeper. Tori, we do not sing through our nose. WE. DO. NOT. SING. THROUGH. OUR. NOSE. Repeat as needed), but her lyrics sometimes annoy me - I hate how she piles on wacky metaphor after wacky metaphor and random nonsense just to come across as deep and to make her fans scramble to figure out what the hell she's singing about (for fear that if they don't, they won't be seen as smart or deep themselves).

Sometimes her writing is really good, though.

Albums I loved:

Little Earthquakes
from the choirgirl hotel
Scarlet's Walk (gold dust is beautiful)

Albums I liked okay:

Under the Pink
to venus and back (the live disc was hit-or-miss, and the studio disc wasn't bad)
The Beekeeper (musically, very nice... if not sometimes boring as hell. Vocally... let's... just skip that)

Boys for Pele and Strange Little Girls both sucked hard (aside from Hey Jupiter, Mr. Zebra, Caught A Lite Sneeze, and Strange Little Girl), and I have no opinion on Y Kant Tori Read. But so far her album cycle otherwise, to me, seems to be great/very good, okay/mediocre, crappy, so I worry about the next album.


I'll blabber bout my favorite songs later, and... I haven't seen enough of her videos to say anything about them.

[Mad_Cactuar]

Ok, you have listened to lots then. I only listened to some of Y KANT TORI READ, Boys for Pele, Scarlet's Walk, and I own Tales of A Librarian and The Beekeeper.

The Beekeeper comes across as incredibly pleasant to me but it just isn't powerful and sharp enough. The Power Of Orange Knickers, Sleeps With Butterflies, Toast, The Beekeeper and Sweet The Sting are some of my fave Tori tracks. Pity that the rest of the tracks are so weak.

I like Boys for Pele a lot. D: Talula, Professional Widow, In The Voodoo of his Springtime, Mr.Zebra, Caught A Lite Sneeze are all good.

Scarlet's Walk is also very solid and stronger than The Beekeeper eventhough they're both mild and pleasant. A Sorta Fairytale is SO CATCHY IT SHOULD BE #1 IN THE US.

I understand what you mean about lyrics.

Oh, my fave Tori track of all time has to be Hey Jupiter and Cornflake Girl.

[explodingbird]

Ah, see... I HATE THE POWER OF ORANGE KNICKERS.

And Barons of Suburbia and Hoochie Woman. I barely remember even half of the album. I do love Goodbye Pisces, though.

I love love love China and Winter and Icicle, Space Dog, Cornflake Girl... to name a few.

Of her albums, I own... from the choirgirl hotel, Scarlet's Walk, and The Beekeeper. I don't know when I'll buy the next ones, but those next ones in question will be Little Earthquakes and Under the Pink.

[JimmyKoria]

The last album of her's I heard was Scarlets Walk. It was the best album she's made to date, but mostly because it was more mainstream than the others. I love how the album had a story, you hardly see albums that are themed.

I think Under the Pink had my all time favorite songs though. I've sat in my room drunk and listen to that album so many times. I almost listened to it more than I did Shiina Ringo's Kulk Zamen Kurinohana album.

[Vinylfantasy]

I don't really have favorite Tori albums, I have favorites on a more song-to-song basis. It's probably because I got her music all at the same time and I didn't take the time to take in each album in its entirety. A song of hers will either stick with me or it won't, there's usually not much of an in between..haha

[Echoed_Memories]

I've only listened to a few of her songs, & my absolute favorite is A Sorta Fairytale from her Scarlet's Walk album

[bondingo]

It's funny that this thread was just made, because I very recently got into Tori's music. I own Little Earthquakes, Boys for Pele, and From the Choirgirl Hotel. So far, I 'm undecided on Boys for Pele, but I like the other two quite a lot. My favorite songs at the moment are Me and A Gun, Crucify, Cornflake Girl, Silent All These Years, and Sleeps With Butterflies.

I'm thinking of buying A Piano, because it's such a good value for so much material. But I'm not sure yet.

[*+Dark.Night.Angel.+*]

Hey, it's nice to see that there is now a Tori Amos thread.

I like her so much though she is not worldwide known she is kept close to the heart of her fans.

I did like The Beekeper musically but it's true that it had so much weak songs, when I use to listen to it generally the music shadows Tori's voice and all I can her is good music and mumbling. Anyway I LOVE The Power Of Orange Knickers, Parasol and Sweet The Sting from that album.

But going back to her oldest I like Little Earthquakes loving 8 of its 12 tracks. My favourite from that album are Crucify, Winter, Leather, Me & A Gun and Precious Things.

About Under the pink I cannot say muhc for I haven't still listened to it fully but I like her singles (Pretty Good Year, God, Past The Mission and Conrflake Girl from which I also liked their two videos). There are songs from this album that were punt ikn the tracklist of Tales Of A Librarian that I think shouldn't have been there but it's ok.

About Boys for Pele well, this album for sure showed a much mature Tori witha better sound, when you firts listen to the album you fall in love with Father Lucifer (I love the way she play with words!) and What to say about Professional Widow... I love it too. Mr. Zebra is such a funny song. Caught a lite sneeze is a very nice song and has a nice video (weird).
But the track I love the most from this album must be Hey Jupiter and I soooo love the video showing a self-destructive Tori... and Talula as well with a weird video (is there any of her videos that is not weird?).

Oh ok, next album is my favourite. From the Choirgirl Hotel is such a strong album with songs like Spark in which she refers to her abortion in such a sober way... I love Cruel! and what to say about Raspberry Swirl, a very upbeat song with one of the weirdest videos. I also like Jackies's Strenght abd the concept of the video. i i e e e is also on e of my favourite songs hehehehe (with your E's and your ease). Other tracks I liked are Palyboy Mommy and She's Your Cocaine.

Next album, To Venus & Back. I also like this album. Songs like Bliss, Concertina and Glory of the 80's make my day. Lust is a nice track. I also like the beat of Riot Proof and Datura and hat to say about my favourite song on this album 1000 Oceans which I find a bit nostalgic. And has a nice video.

I can't say much either about Scarlet's Walk since I don't really like it that much but I like ther very first three tracks: Amber Waves, A Sorta Fairytale (with another weird video) and Wednesday. any other songs that I like from this album would be TaxiRide (becaus of the story) and Another Girl's Paradise.

Another album that I can't give such a deep opinion about is Strange Little Girls... when I first heard that she was covering Eminem I thought "what?" but then I heard the track and said "what?". What I liked about this album was the multiple covers (I bought the one with four photos). Strange Little Girl is a nice song and the video takes too literal the phrase of "keeping the wolf out of the house" hehehehehe. I enjoyed Depeche Mode's cover fro Enjoy the Silence, fits very well to the piano. A funny thing that I remember is that when Enrique Iglesias rleased the song and the video for I'm Not In Love I thought at first it was tori's song and even the two songs have similar phrases hehehehe but it's nothing. I also liked the other cover, this one for Slayer's Raining Blood and the last track that I like as well is Real Men.

And now at last but not least The Beekeper of which I have already spoken... why did she only release Sleeps With Butterflies? anyway, it's a nice track.
I bought the special CD+DVD version which included a new song called garlands (which I liked) and it also came with an envelope qith seeds to make your own little personar garden and become a Beekeper yourself.

Now about A Piano: The Collection there are few things I don't have. I already downloaded and have many of the rarities that also come on singles. I think I'll buy it just to complete my collection hehehehe. Better start saving up some money!

I found a few singles that I wanted to buy, I already have the Crucify single but I'm hungry for some more Tori. I'm still searching for some videos, maybe i'll post my list later.

She has had great moments in her career, I love Tori Amos (almost as much as I like Ayu or Evanescence.) and I hope she keeps releasing nice albums such as the ones already described.

The tracks I mentioned are the ones I would recomend to anyone who wants to know such a great personality in mature pop music.

[bondingo]

Originally Posted by *+Dark.Night.Angel.+*

I'm still searching for some videos, maybe i'll post my list later.

I do know that she has a DVD with (what I think is) her entire video collection. I saw it at Best Buy for $20 and I'm really considering buying it since she has so many good videos.

I've been listening to "From the Choirgirl Hotel" a lot lately and I have to say that it's probably my favorite album of Tori's as well. I really love how she has a band backing her on many of the tracks, and it's much more experimental than her other albums. I'm hoping that some of "Little Earthquakes'" songs will grow on me a little more though. There are about five that I really like right now, and the rest are just kind of...there.

[paperbag]

Tori's Awesome Albums
Y Kant Tori Read
Little Earthquakes
Boys for Pele
From the Choirgirl Hotel
To Venus and Back
Strange Little Girls
Scarlet's Walk
Tales of a Librarian
The Beekeeper
A Piano: The Collection
untitled upcoming studio album

You forgot Under the Pink

I <3 you Mad_Cactuar for creating this thread

Tori Amos just rocks! I think I'll copy *+Dark.Night.Angel.+* and write about my impressions of each album.

Little Earthquakes - I'm with bondingo on this one. It's a good album, but there are songs that just "there." Some of the songs I tend to skip over are China & Mother and once in a while...Girl. Tear In Your Hand is amazing and Winter is hauntingly beautiful. Me and a Gun is the most sad and raw song she has ever recorded. The song deals with her rape and it must be hard performing this song live. I really admire her for that.

Under the Pink - My second favorite album. It was recorded in New Mexico and to me, it has that kind of feel to it as well. Especially "God" and "Cornflake Girl" which are my favorite tracks of the album. All and all it's a pretty solid album. Each of her albums always has a theme and while Little Earthquakes was her diary, Under the Pink is about how women treat each other (aka backstabbing, "Mean Girls") She's been quoted saying that if we peel off all our skin, we are all pink and she wants to explore what happens underneath that.

Boys for Pele - I absolutly love love Boys for Pele with a passion <3 It's seriously one of the best albums she's ever made. The album is about a woman trying to find her own fire, instead of taking it from men. Most people call this album her "dark" album mostly because when you listen to the album, you're taken to another world. And no other album, besides this one, has done this for me. It's also one of her hardest albums to get into as well. Mostly because It's not very commerical, so the songs themselves are unique. When I first got it, I didn't like it. But one day I let it play in my CD player without stopping it, and I winded up being shaken up by it. It was that good. Each of us has a hidden darkness within us and "Boys for Pele" really plays on that. Whether it be supressed sexuality (Professional Widow), vulnerability (Blood Roses) or loneliness (Hey Jupiter), Boys for Pele explores each one. Also Boys for Pele was the first album that was remixed. Several of her songs were remixed for clubs (Professional Widow, In the Springtime of His Voodoo) and became number one hits. This also paved the way for her new sound in her next album.

From the Choirgirl Hotel - The first song that I ever heard from Tori was "Spark" and that song is what got me into her. The whole album deals with loss in relation to the miscarriages she suffered from 1996-1997. This was also the first time she ever used a live band and electronic compositions. This really is her experimental album. "Raspberry Swirl" is one of my favorite songs and I always wind up dancing a bit whenever I hear it lol

To Venus and Back - Not one of my faves. Very electronic and experimental. Probably more so than FTCGH. What I really love is the second bonus disk of live material. You haven't heard Tori until you hear/see her live

Strange Little Girls - A composition of covers she did. To me, most of them are pretty boring expect her Eminen cover. That one gives me chills! Her last album on her Atlantic Label, freeing her from her contract.

Scarlett's Walk - Another one of my faves. I love the sound of the band in the tracks, especially "A Sorta Fairytale" which is by far the best track on the album. I love the whole theme to it too, about it being a roadtrip to America.

Tales from the Librarian - My first Tori CD I bought. Really good oldies here. I recommend that if your just getting into her, you should buy this first. It has a little bit of everything as well as some bonus songs

The Beekeeper - UGH! To tell you the truth, I regret buying this one. The only songs I like are "Sleeps with Butterflies" and "Sweet the String" everything else is so...bland. Very commercial friendly though. Still don't like it. What I really can't stand is her voice. She sounds like she has a cold all the time!

A Piano: The Collection - I'm so glad I bought this! It saves me the trouble of buying all her singles because her B sides are in here! It also has some alternative mixes are remix tracks which are kind of cool. I really enjoy the Sugar one <3 It also has some unreleased material like Walk to Dublin (which kicks butt!) and some live tracks. All and all, great collector's item

Fade to Red: The Collection DVD - Her DVD of all of her videos as well as commentary about the songs and also the making of "A Sorta Fairytale" video. Really great DVD! And cheap too! All of the videos are digitally remastered and the songs are mixed in surround sound. Just pop in the DVD and you're in Tori Amos heaven <3

LOL Sorry for writing too much, but she's seriously my favorite singer next to Ayumi Hamasaki. For those that haven't heard of her, give her a try!

EDIT: For those searching for her videos, there are tons up on youtube. Some of my faves

Behind the Music - Tori Amos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vOvN3rlcx8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPpKz-lN_aQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRgwfiUiugo

Caught A Lite Sneeze - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5L9uqNFqWI
God - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6zJ3Bf6x38
Jackie's Strength (remix version) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6KM7nv8mPI
Raspberry Swirl - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WS6DjgH9Uc
Making of Boys for Pele - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7pP7M7KqAc

[*+Dark.Night.Angel.+*]

Hey, nice reviews!

After I had posted my revirews I forgot to talk about Tales Of A Librarian which new tracks were sooo nice. Snow Cherries From France makes me sleepy but not in the boring way, it is just soo relaxing and the Professional Widow remix ghehegee...

I also loved they included Me & A Gun, so strong...

Now that you tell me about the DVD collection I am saving money to buy it, nice.

Another thing I like from Tori is that she is always unique on her concerts, they're so personal, to stand so close to her, it's almost like an unplugged everytime.

Sometimes she goes crazy when dancing to Raspberry Swirl as she did in Glastonbury or when chaneling her energy XD. She is so perfectionist, I remember watching a video of her playing Mr. Zebra with a mino mistake and she had to repeat that part three times to get it right.

I would love to be in one of her concerts, she alwasy plays surprising songs her very own way! There's a site (I think it's down now but you can still download) where they have a looooooot of her live stuff.

The collection is still growing.

*+D.N.A.+*

[paperbag]

Originally Posted by *+Dark.Night.Angel.+*

There's a site (I think it's down now but you can still download) where they have a looooooot of her live stuff.

The collection is still growing.

*+D.N.A.+*

Spoiler:

http://www.yessaid.com/toriamos.html

[bondingo]

I love you paperbag. After buying a few of her albums I completely agree with your reviews, but I'm just not sold on Boys for Pele yet. The whole harpsicord thing hasn't managed to draw me in at the moment. And I did love Sleeps With Butterflies, but I agree that The Beekeeper is pretty bland.

[paperbag]

Originally Posted by bondingo

I love you paperbag. After buying a few of her albums I completely agree with your reviews, but I'm just not sold on Boys for Pele yet. The whole harpsicord thing hasn't managed to draw me in at the moment. And I did love Sleeps With Butterflies, but I agree that The Beekeeper is pretty bland.

Yeah the harpsicord thing took some getting used to for me. I couldn't stand some of the songs when I first got it. I really disliked Blood Roses, Professional Widow and Talula. Now they're some of my favorite songs I think listening to some of her remixed songs or seeing her performing them live is what sold me. The live versions of Blood Roses and Professional Widow rock my socks <3

Her lives are amazing! She has so much energy! She sometimes even looks a bit possessed.

Here's the infamous "Precious Things" performance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwhuiPtNciI

[explodingbird]

I got my copy of Under the Pink in the mail today. While the album's not that great (a few exceptions aside - and the song God absolutely SUCKS), the booklet is freaking cool.

from the choirgirl hotel booklet + Scarlet's Walk booklet > Under the Pink booklet, though. (The Beekeeper's sucked).

[Mad_Cactuar]

Oh god, I spent so long typing out a reply but it wasnt posted. Stupid comp.

Seems like me and the bird are two opposite Tori fans. Seriously.

I posted earlier that me and paperbag started on the same Tori song and album, which is quite a coincidence.

And the third single from Beekeeper had no video but it was a radio single. I liked the song lots too.

[*+Dark.Night.Angel.+*]

Oh so she had more singles for this last album?

I just remember her releasing Sleeps With Butterflies, which are the other two?

*+D.N.A.+*

[bondingo]

"Cars and Guitars" and "Sweet the Sting" were the other two. But they were only released as radio singles, without any physical CD (besides The Beekeeper that is).

I've been getting into Under the Pink a lot more lately. Cornflake Girl is definitely a favorite; God and The Waitress are great tracks as well.

I'm still waiting for more of Scarlet's Walk's track to grow on me though. I bought the special set (in perfect condition) at a used CD store for $10, and I love all the stuff it comes with. Some of it's pretty useless (ie. a map of the US that has lyrics on the back, and a rooster charm made out of pewter), but it's an entertaining little package altogether. A Sorta Fairytale and Taxi Ride are pretty much the only tracks on it that I really like at the moment.

From the Choirgirl Hotel, on the other hand, has become my favorite album of hers. I really wish that truly original, experimental tracks such as Iieee and Hotel were more prevalent on some of the other albums. Hopefully she'll return to that style whenever she makes her next one. However, I doubt she will. I just want a change from Scarlet's Walk and The Beekeeper, which are both a little too subdued IMO.