I’m quoting Cashel there. That’s how he prays. “God, dare I hope????”
I’ve heard two tracks now from Tori Amos’ new album. And I LOVE both of them. Could it be … could it be … that she’s back?
I’m almost scared … because I’ve been disappointed in her for years – after being so into her that the hairs on my neck would literally rise up when I would listen to “Everybody Else’s Girl”. I saw Tori play in a small club in Chicago before Little Earthquakes came out – before she was famous. It was one of the most riveting awesome concerts I have ever gone to – she is spectacular live. And then Little Earthquakes came out and I was like: WHAT? THIS CHICK IS OUT OF THIS WORLD. Years have passed … and at some point, she just lost me. I am glad she continues to experiment, I am glad she is not just repeating herself – she’s an artist, she doesn’t give a shit. I appreciate that. But I lost interest. Boys for Pele was the beginning of it … even though I love some of the tracks there … and From the Choirgirl Hotel also has some of that sound that I love … it’s when she gets intense that I get interested. By that I mean: when she rocks. Tori hasn’t rocked in a while. Her stuff is too anti-melodic, and … soft. (Recently, I mean.) I like her anger. I keep buying her stuff because … I live in hope. (I wrote about it here: What it means to REALLY be a fan. Interesting side note – I also talk about Atwood in that post. Hm. Weird.)
But so far so good.
I’m thrilled. I can’t WAIT to hear the rest of it.
Tori, dare I hope????
That’s such a great Cashelism!
I don’t know how I’ve completely missed the Tori train. I don’t know her music AT ALL. I need to buy Little Earthquakes and school myself.
I’ve been obsessed with Regina Spektor for the last eight months or so. I cannot get enough of her. I am dying to see her perform live. I thought of her because I know that people compare her to Tori. I don’t know Tori’s music well enough (or at all) to know if the comparison is apt, but after writing that list of Graham Greene books in your book photos post, I’m in the mood to make recommendations. I think I like her album “Soviet Kitsch” the best, but (speaking of hope) her more recent albym “Begin to Hope” is pretty great too.
Okay, if you don’t know Regina Spektor, I know how to make you a fan in a snap: you have to watch this video on youtube. It’s just someone’s Christmas home video edited together to one of Spektor’s songs, and it’s beautiful and makes me cry every time I watch it. It’s just so intimate, and when I watch it I don’t get the sense of watching “someone else’s” home videos, I feel like i’m watching my own. Here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC9Pun6xIUo
Erik – I have only heard one of Regina Spektor’s songs and I can’t remember which one it was but I fell in love with it – thank you for the reminder, I’ll have to get more of it.
The thing about Tori is: she was the beginning of that introspective girlie music – so much that comes after her is derivative of her – either people were informed by her, or they rebelled against her. You know? So I don’t know how “fresh” Little Earthquakes will sound to you now – but give it a shot. That (in my opinion) is definitely the one to get. If you’re hooked in, then try more. I also liked Under the Pink, some of Boys from Pele and most of From the choirgirl hotel – after that, her lyrics got more and more obscure, she did an album of cover songs which I hated (I felt really bad about that – I so wanted to like it) … but still, like I think you understand: I bought them all.
My brother and his girlfriend Melody are the same way – although they have continued to really llove her stuff – so I know that many Tori fans don’t agree with me.
I’ll be eager to hear what you think – and I will certainly go get me some Regina Spektor. What a little phenom she is – I LOVED her voice.
Yay! I will report back to you after I’ve purchased Little Earthquakes and given it a few listens. I like this back-and-forth music and book recommending. I am VERY excited for you to dig your heels into Regina Spektor’s music. There was a period of about a month where her music was literally the ONLY music I listened to on my ipod. I spend a lot of time in my car, and while I’m driving I’ll obsessively listen to the same song over and over and over again, singing along, trying to perfectly mimic her intonations and accent. (Which is tough because she has odd intonations.)
sheila, i insist that tori has already made her comeback with scarlet’s walk. it is a fantastic album.
by the by, love the cash quote.
Bren – not as good as his most recent: “Dad, I think we’ve hit the jackpot with this one.”
HEART CRACK!