Search - Tori Amos :: The Beekeeper (Special Limited Edition)

Caught by The Beekeeper--and that's fine!

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 02/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tori Amos has again released yet another CD that has beautiful depth, meaning, heart and soul. Although certainly everyone will have their preferences as to which songs they really like on this nineteen (yes, nineteen) track album, there is no doubt that she is progressing both in her vocal abilities as well as her ability of expression. Obviously, her voice was always something special; but what excites me is that she is still progressing and I love to see that in an artist. More proof she's progressing: a Hammond B3 organ has been added into the musical arrangement! Also look for Kelsey Dobyns on background vocals.



Do I have a favorite song on this CD? Actually, I have more than one favorite. I just couldn't set aside only one song as "the" best in my opinion. For one thing, I really liked "Hoochie Woman," Here Tori perfectly captures the personality she sings about and the arrangement is very, very good! "Goodbye Pisces" is an awesome song about the feelings you can have when ending a romance. Tori also does a duet with Damien Rice entitled "The Power of Orange Knickers;" while certainly this is an unusual song title (!) their voices compliment each others' perfectly and it sounds beautiful. "Parasol" is deep with anger yet so typical of the person who's conflicted about letting out the anger. "Sweet the Sting" is sexy but I personally thought she sang it somewhat romantically, so for me personally the song works on more than one level. Finally, the CD concludes with "Toast," a song sprung out of her brother's recent death. Not only does Tori deal with her pain by writing about it she bravely shares her pain with her audience. Anybody who has ever lost a loved one (and that's almost everyone) can identify with this hurt.



All in all, this latest CD by Tori is not only based on her real life experiences and our universal experiences but it is a deeply touching and emotional journey. This proves that Tori is an incredibly accomplished artist. (As if we didn't know that before, right?) The prospect of her continuing to develop is even more exciting. This CD is a must for Tori's fans; and if you're not a fan you should do yourself a favor and try this album out for a very good experience. Even if it doesn't hit you square in the face the first time, give it a chance and you won't have to argue with anyone about listening to it over and over again.

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Amos Reaches New Heights With 'The Beekeeper'

Rudy Palma | NJ | 02/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With her newest creation, "The Beekeeper," Tori Amos has proven herself an ever-evolving musical force, never content to rest on her laurels or stick to a tried-and-true formula. With the lengthy collection of 19 tracks, separated into six themed 'gardens', the CD runs 80 minutes long and is full of both quality lyrics and intriguing subject matter where the red-haired pianist delves into the biblical history, ancient myths and the relationship between parent and child that transcends death and the passing of time.



The disc begins with one of her sharpest opening tracks, "Parasol," a tale concerning deep shock of betrayal. "The Power of Orange Knickers," which features vocals by singer/songwriter Damien Rice, finds Amos articulating betrayal on a grander scale, likening each human soul to a terrorist in the sense that we obliterate our innermost truths:



"Can somebody tell me now/Who is this terrorist/Those girls that smile kindly/Then rip your life to pieces?/Can somebody tell me now/Who is this terrorist/This little pill in my hand/That keeps the pain laughing?"



In "Marys of the Sea" Amos waxes on the largely unknown biblical story of Mary Magdelene, a recurring theme in her music, chronicling her journey after fleeing Jerusalem to the south of France, while opening herself off to fear in the context of Irish mythology with one of her most luxurious melodies yet, "Jamaica Inn."



Another exemplary track is "Sleeps With Butterflies," the set's lead single which finds the artist outrightly explaining what she needs, addressing the need for give and take between male and female to make a relationship work:



"I don't hold onto the tail of your kite/I'm not like the girls that you've known/But I believe I'm worth coming home to/Kiss away night/This girl only sleeps with butterflies/So go on and fly then boy."



The lyrical highlight of the disc comes with the heart-rendering title track, where Amos confronts her fears of her mother's mortality and the fact that they will one day have to part, mentioning her brother who was killed in a car crash this past November:



"Don't be afraid I/Promise that she will awake/Tomorrow somewhere/Wrap yourself around the tree of life/And the dance of the infinity of the hive/Take this message to Michael."



Furthemore, she reflects on her deep love and appreciation for her daughter in "Ribbons Undone," delivers one of her most savory melodies yet with "Cars and Guitars" and makes commentary on the war effort with the endearing "General Joy." She also adds a dash of humor to infidelity with "Hoochie Woman":



"He called me up and said `she has needs'/I said `you'll find `em on Barney's fourth floor'."



"The Beekeeper" is also available in a limited edition package that includes a bonus DVD with further insight into the album by Amos along with another song, "Garlands." Her newly released book "Piece By Piece," co-written with music journalist Ann Powers, has also been released to coincide with the new album and includes further detail on her creative process.





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Y Kant Tori Get Another Producer?

Nancy In Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | 03/07/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a Tori fan since Little Earthquakes. I went through all the stages of Toriphile obsession - bought all the singles, went to all the shows, scoured record shops for bootlegs, etc. It seems like in the last 5 years I haven't enjoyed her new albums. It's not just that her work changes - many great artists (like Bjork) evolve with each album. It's the quality of the music and lyrics that seem to actually be degrading as the years go by. I have been buying her new albums in the hope that she will give us something new that equals the brilliance of Little Earthquakes or Under the Pink - not just adding electronic beats or increasingly vague and kooky lyrics. Obviously, her lyrical style is much more straightforward on The Beekeeper, but this only leaves nothing to the imagination except for some incredibly cliched beats and phrases. Even her lovely piano playing has taken a back seat creatively. I had such a bad taste in my mouth after listening to this album, I had to give LE a play just to wash it away!



"You're just an empty cage girl if you kill the bird.""