this orbital ball
June 17th, 2009
i’ve listened to it several times now, and this is really the only song i like off of Tori’s new album:
Battle of the minds
cries Below cries Above
You must pick a side
Will you choose fear?
Will you choose love? What does it look like,
this orbital ball from the fringes of The Milky Way?
What does it feel like,
this orbital ball on the fringes of the Milky Way?
i hate to say this but i’m skipping this tour. i haven’t been into her new music in years, and every performance seems to be so much paler than the previous. i’d love to see just her and her piano again someday, in a small place. i would pay a lot for that.
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Yes how disappointing her latest albums have been. I have been debating whether to catch the show in San Jose or not. I have skipped the last few tours but have recently become re-infatuated, obsessed, in love with her OLD stuff and mostly listening to lots of live recordings. I also have been reading Piece by Piece which I think you might like. Anyway all this really really makes me want to see her again, but to see the old her, the kind of shows she used to do. I might go to the show just because the last time I saw her was actually 2001 (with you at the Paramount). But it might just be a big letdown. Come back, Tori, come baaaaaaaaaaaaack!!!
The idea of missing the “old Tori Amos” is a common one that I hear alot. Honestly I think it’s lazy listening on the part of fans. I used to have the same opinion for years but then started listening more carefully to the latest records. They may not be the same as the old stuff but they definitely have their own merits. I think true fans need to take the time to respect her new directions. Her dedication and talent has not waned and the stuff she puts out is no less involved then from years ago. Once you let go of the need for her to sound the same as she did years ago I think you will be surprised. Things are a little less dark these days but its not a bad thing. There is edge in a different way.
At one point, I thought everything after Choirgirl Hotel was not my cup of tea. I recently rediscovered Scarlet’s Walk and I couldn’t believe how I had dismissed that record, it is now one of my favorites. Some people have known for a while that SW is amazing but you have to remember that it was a huge departure from someone who had grown up with her during the LE/UTP/BFP/CH days. Beekeeper had some great songs that are unbelievable when played live. I bought ADP and after many listens, I think it is a great record with some unique jams. I totally enjoy it.
As far as tours go, I stopped going to her shows around the time she did the 1998 tour with Alanis, because she got a full band and was playing arenas. I wasn’t down with that. I’ve seen her twice since then; once on a solo tour (Summer of Sin) right after Beekeeper came out and then the full band tour from late 2007. Both shows blew me away. During the 2007 show she came out in full character as 2 or 3 different girls from the American Doll Posse theme. It was amazing. Yeah it may not be the same solo piano show from the 90s but things change and evolve and if it had stayed the same, people would be bitching about that too. I have now decided I am going to see her show whenever I can get a chance.
I say give it another chance – you might be surprised.