Scarlet's Walk

by

Tori Amos

Edit

This is Tori's eighth solo effort, and she has definately matured from Little Earthquakes. LE was a perfect album for adolescent angst. Under the Pink explored the complex and often sinister relationships formed between women. Boys for Pele was a dark wilderness of anger and pain. From the Choirgirl Hotels was a cityscape of dark, manic songs. To Venus and Back had heavy electronica, but maintained a sparse, desert-like sound. Strange Little Girls had Tori playing the role of thirteen women with tales to tell. Now, she's made the perfect drivng CD.

Every track here is individually stunning, but is best heard all together. Stylistically, this album is a cross between Pink and Choirgirl. Her lyrics here are not nearly as obscure as they were on Pele or Venus, but remain as poignant and Tori-like as the most discerning fan could wish for. Each track made me want to follow Scarlet' footsteps...

"Amber Waves" is one of my favorite tracks here. The chorus is enchanting, and the end of the song is sweet.

The album version of "A Sorta Fairytale" is a little shocking--the most controversial verse was taken out for radio play, and the song comes to a definate end, rather than trailing off.

"Wednesday" is a weird song. I don't really like it, but that's pending further listening.

"Strange" is the "Baker, Baker" of this album. Slow, mellow, and heartbreaking, but not the sort of thing I generally listen to.

"Carbon"--the track that I most wanted to hear--was phenomenal. The guitar melodies and drum loops cascade (punctuating names of famous ski trails).

For me, the song "Crazy" hit really close to home. It sounds a lot like "Strange." The chorus "let's just unzip your religion down" is one of the great Tori-isms of all time.

"Wampum Prayer" is the second a capella track that Tori's done, and it breaks your heart to hear her half-chant, half-sob the words.

"Don't Make Me Come To Vegas" isn't angry so much as weary and sarcastic. And the chorus "What will be will be over my dead body"...priceless.

"Sweet Sangria"...well, I don't think that there's one political leader on the planet who wouldn't benefit from hearing this song.

"Your Cloud" is, in my opinion, the sweetest song on the album...it's theme is about the same as U2's "One." It's about not pushing away a loved one, but recognizing the necessity or individuality in a relationship.

"Pancake" (takes place in Delaware) is another one that RELIGIOUS leaders need to hear. What is it about would-be Messiahs and martyrs?

"I Can't See New York" was, in it's way, creepier than "'97 Bonnie & Clyde. I heard it as a woman trapped on a hijacked plane, trying desperately to think of good things and not dwell on hr own death...and failng.

"Mrs. Jesus" is another song that really needs to be listened to a few times. At the moment, it gets on my nerves a little.

"Taxi Ride" is a GREAT road song...it's fun to sing along to, and it's so true...I've knon way too many people like this.

I was astounded at how much I liked "Another Girl's Paradise." The chorus and bridges make it one of the most fun songs to sing along with.

In "Scarlet's Walk" and "Virginia" I couldn't get Neil Gaiman's American Gods out of my head. "Out with the old and in with the new" is definately a big thing for we Americans.

I first heard "Gold Dust" on a promo sampler, and I wasn't impressed. Now...oh, boy. It's one of the most powerful tracks on the album.

So...I highly recommend the Limited Edition, for the wonderful DVD, the cute charm, THE REALLY NEAT STICKERS, and the handy poster/road map. The Polaroids are great; they feel like real photos. Remember...the audio disc itself unlocks bonus stuff on Tori's official website.

I rather bought this in good faith, having chanced upon it in some store, and also having never heard any of the songs. To borrow from Douglas Adams, I'm Almost But Not Completely Disappointed.

Well, it's very... nice. It also doesn't strike me as Tori Amos. Yes, it's her voice. Yes, it's her piano. Yes, the music is pretty. But with the exception of a few tracks, a lot of it runs together and is rather dry. I'm fond of Amber Waves and A Sorta Fairytale, but to be honest I don't even remember the titles of the other tracks.

Where did all the musical climaxes go? What happened to that shiver that runs down my spine when I listen to Spark or Little Earthquakes? Or the musicality of Icicle? I don't ask that she stay within one style and stagnate; I don't really care where the emotion is or how it sounds, just so much that it's there. I've read those that think her earlier music was angsty teenager music. Perhaps. And extending that metaphor, it's like the angsty teen grew up to be an average adult. Calmer, more serene, and also something I don't find particularly interesting.

So, yes. It's... nice. It's pretty, but that's about it. I hope she makes some sort of rediscovery of emotional music, that this is some sort of phase. She's made so much beautiful music in the past I hate to think that all of it's gone.

That said, it's not like I don't listen to it. It's not a -bad- CD, don't get me wrong. It goes nicely in the background when I'm painting or driving. But don't buy it expecting anything climactic like Spark or Silent All These Years. Good CD if you want soft and pretty stuff to go to sleep to, bad if you want to listen to anything emotionally captivating.