nlawr54761's Full Review: To Venus and Back by Tori Amos
It's no secret that I'm a Toriphile and I pretty much worship or like all the albums I have of her, but because I started getting into another artist (Bjork), I had to put my Tori collection on hold. Around Christmas, I realized that I haven't bought a Tori album in a while and it was about damn time that I got another one from her. It was either a two disc CD or a cover album. Yeah, I went with the former.
venus.orbiting To Venus And Back is widely hated on by some of her fans and even though I disagree with them, I can see why many people dislike this album. It has Tori working more with electronics and synths than her beloved Bosendorfer, it's her least cohesive album to date, and it's also not as inspired as her other albums. But it still has some of her best work and there are moments when it seems like the old Tori is back with her piano.
It starts off with the lead single, Bliss. It begins with spacey production, which dominates the album and fits very well with the title, and eerie piano notes. Tori calmly sings her usual cryptic lyrics of Father, I killed my monkey/ I let it out to taste the sweet of spring. Even though they are obscure, you understand what Tori is saying: she wants acceptance from her father, at least that's what it seems to me. The music follows the formula of calm verses and loud chorus with raging electric guitars and drums & Tori wailing and pronouncing 'bliss' in the weirdest way. It's what you expect from Tori and that's why it's the most accessible song on this album. Juarez is easily in my Top 3 favorites off this album. Odd, spacey synths and industrial beats are the main focus of this song and they are so loud, you can barely hear Tori's voice or the piano that's hidden through it. The subject matter is very dark and poignant as it describes a city where many young girls were raped. The last minute of the song is excellent where the bass and percussion take over & you can hear the sorrow in Tori's wailing background vocals.
Concertina combines the old Tori and the new Tori & it comes out with great results. The beautiful piano and atmospheric synths start off the song & Tori sings her most cryptic lyrics since 'Pele': I've got a fever above my waist/ You got a squeezebox on your knee/ I know the truth lies in between the 1st and 40th drink. On the chorus, electric guitars and electronic drumkits join in creating a ballad that flows well through the song. Glory Of The 80's really focuses on the space theme of this album with the lyric mentioning 'venus' and 'space', but it really talks about how life was like in the 80s with it's clever and witty lyricism. The music doesn't sound very 80-ish, but continues on that spacey, electronic feel with a banging bassline, excellent percussion, and the usual out-of-earth synths. Definitely a song you need to hear.
The next two songs take the dark, cold, and spacey feel to a higher level. Lust beings with electronic drums and Tori's piano creating a very cold feel. The song may be about having to wait for lust in bed, but once again those cryptic lyrics make you go "huh". The chorus has an ethereal feel with a bit of electric guitar and worldly tuneless synths joining in. I really like the end where Tori plays some impressive chords, but it's really just a mood piece. Same goes for Suede. It has these heavy synths that sounds like an organ, blaring electric guitars here-and there, and a microscopic beat that creates such a spacey atmosphere, you gotta wonder what Tori was thinking of creating this album. Like 'Lust', it takes a while for it to go somewhere, but when it does, it's beautiful. The once Prince-sounding electronic song turns into a slow jazzy song with a piano and soft drums dominating it. The lyrics are typical Tori, what else is there?
Josephine is just a 2:29 ditty that features misty piano, calm synths, and some hot military drums. The lyrics talk about Napoleon's wife, Josephine, and how he is not giving her any. It's nothing, but a very pretty song. Riot Poof is another song that's in my Top 3. It has an urban feel with the trip-hop beats, swirling synths, and a wavery bassline & it makes me nod my head to it. I read that this song is about someone that Tori works with coming out and 'riot poof' is a European term for a homosexual. I really like Tori's voice during the chorus where she just wails blossom, riot poof and the end where layered Tori's keeping singing on the bomb/ on the bond/ on the bomb. Datura is the weirdest song (and longest) song on the album. It has 2 parts: the first one has some fast piano, layered synths, and drums with Tori listing all the kind of flowers she has (yeah, like we care). The second half has more layered synths, trip-hop beats, and slow drums with Tori just repeating dividing canaan/ piece by piece. I prefer the first half since it's not very repetitive as the second. Even though, it's not something I listen to everyday, I really like the song.
Spring Haze is my favorite song on the album and it has all the elements that I love about Tori. The piano is very beautiful and impressive, the warping synths create that usual spacey atmosphere, and the bass and tribal drums & percussion give the song a great rhythm section. Not to mention, there are some spots where Tori's voice is beautiful. The lyrics are cryptic as usual, but there are some lines I like: And I found out where my edge is/ And it bleeds into where you resist/ And my only way out is to go/ So far in. I could listen to this song for hours. 1,000 Oceans end the album in a calm, mellow way. It's a bit AC (Adult Contemporary), but it still has the elements that this album has. The piano is slow and melodic, the synths are still there, and the drums that were in 'Suede' are here. The lyrics are very touching as it talks about her husband mourning his father's death and Tori helping him. It's probably my least favorite song here, but I still listen to it.
venuslive. still orbiting
The second disc features live stuff from her Plugged 98 Tour. If you're a Tori fan, you probably always hear how much better she is live & listening to this, I believe them. Instead of going track-by-track, I'll give you the highlights.
Cornflake Girl was my favorite song on Under The Pink and the live version here beats out the regular version. It begins with a long piano intro and Tori singing you bet your life it is with the crowd cheering & you know you're gonna love it. After a while, the band comes in and the song explodes into a jam. Tori sounds a bit nasal, but it doesn't bother me and that's the only way she can be heard through the band. My favorite parts of the original song are present here: the piano solos. This song showcases how good of a pianist she is and the second solo makes you wanna play the piano like her. This song benefited from the band greatly.
Bells For Her was a song that borderlined on boring and annoying on Under The Pink and this version easily kicks the studio version's behind. The once muted piano is now clear, the electric guitar blends well with the piano, and the bass and percussion add a banging rhythm section. It's just as long as the original version, but this time it doesn't feel that way. Not to mention, I love the instrumentals. Sugar was a B-Side off of Little Earthquakes and though I've never heard the original version, this song is excellent. It shows how rock music should be done with the dark and eerie piano, loud electric guitars, and pounding drums. Plus, you gotta love Tori shouting You're just a p*ssy and her wailing at the end.
The Waitress was another favorite of mine from Under The Pink and this 10 and a half minutes version makes me love the song even more. It starts with the electric guitars, bass, and drums & them jamming for about 2 minutes before Tori joins it. Tori's low and dark voice is excellent on the verses and on the chorus the band is rocking out and Tori's shrieking I believe in peace, b*tch. The longer the song goes on, the more intense the song is and you wonder when it's gonna climax & when it does, it makes you wanna shout "ROCK ON". Purple People is a B-Side off of From The Choirgirl Hotel and it's very jazzy. It begins with a kurzweil that sounds like a saxophone (similar to 'Playboy Mommy') and the band joins in giving it a smooth feel like you're in a bar. Tori switching from the kurwzeil to the piano on the chorus is excellent. Everything flows so well.
To Venus And Back is not my favorite album from Tori, but there are many things to enjoy about this album. The first disc, while not very accessible, offers some great spacey atmospheric songs that you don't hear often. The second disc shows you how excellent Tori is live. It's something every Tori fan should have.
Great Music To Play While: going to space with Tori and her monkey
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