Tori Amos returns to the spotlight after a two-year recording break and a year spent with her baby daughter. Her new album, Strange Little Girls, does not offer any new Tori songs, per se. The Strange Little Girls' album contains 12 songs by male songwriters (everyone from Eminem to Neil Young), covered by 13 different girls that Amos brings to life. Each one of the girls (there's a song that features twins) performs the songs from their own perspective, giving a new twist to the music's lyrics.
Tori said she wanted to write an album about how men view women and themselves. She figured the only way to do that was to go straight to the source, men. "I've always found it fascinating how men say things and how women hear them," she said. "Words can wound and words can heal, and both are included on the album," stated Tori. "I've heard a lot of people say, 'They're only words; what is everybody going on about?' But words are powerful."
The first single from the new album is Strange Little Girl, written in 1982 by The Stranglers. While I'm not familiar with the original version, Tori's perspective of this song is cool and airy, a perfect pop/rock song. Her cover of Eminem's 97' Bonnie & Clyde is downright frightening, as the chosen girl for this song shows exactly what is meant by the lyrics.
To help her listeners identify the songs with the different personalities she undertook, Tori did several photo shoots, all in different characters. The very popular press photo of her with short black hair and smeared mascara, comes from the 80's girl who sings The Stranglers cover. All of the photographs show how stunning Tori is, in spite of approaching her 40's, as well as her ability to be every woman. These images are reason enough to get the new album.
Many of her listeners may not be familiar with the artists Tori chose to cover. Singer/Songwriters like Neil Young and Lou Reed are more of what you'd find in your parents CD collection, but Tori uses her own inner guidance to give these songs new depth and a contemporary feel.
While Tori fans stay very dedicated to the artist, Strange Little Girls may be a concept before it's time for those who are not already active listeners. For those who have enjoyed Tori in the past, I highly recommend buying the record, as well as seeing her on tour this fall. (Get those tickets fast!) For those of you in the mood for something different, this may be the Holiday present you should request from your parents!
If you enjoy Tori Amos' past hits, you may enjoy the release by Cleopatra Records, Songs of a Goddess: A Tribute to Tori Amos. While there have been very bad Tori cover records in the past, Cleopatra went to work on making a unique record paying tribute to a fascinating woman. Songs of a Goddess features an even mix of electronica, alternative/pop and gothic styles, by such artists as Temple of Rain, Glampire and Unto Ashes. Former led singer for JOJ, Jessicka, teams up with Meegs to do an avant-garde version of Liee and new band October Hill makes an awesome duet with the early Tori song, Winter.
How well do you know Tori?
1. Tori Amos first album was:
A) Little EarthquakesB) From the ChoirGirl Hotel
C) Y Kant Tori Read
2. Which album has the song "Caught A Lite Sneeze?
A) Under The PinkB) Boys For Pele
C) To Venus and Back
3. What song appears in the movie Twister?
A) TalulaB) Cornflake Girl
C) Raspberry Swirl
4. Tori founded what charity?
A) Sweet Relief Musicians FundB) RAINN Hotline
C) Amnesty International
5. What song had Tori do a duet with Trent Reznor (NIN)?
A) Past the MissionB) Bliss
C) Leather
6. What popular band member does Tori say sings her to sleep?
A) Billy Corgan/Smashing PumpkinsB) Michael Stipe/REM
C) Maynard Keenan/Tool
7. What does Tori says she believes in?
A) MermaidsB) Fairies
C) Angels