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Binding: Audio CDEAN: 0828768614020 Label: Sony Manufacturer: Sony MPN: 86140 Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: Sony Release Date: May 01, 2007 Studio: Sony Editorial Review: Amazon.com: In an era of digital downloads and singles, Tori Amos embraces the concept album in a sprawling 23-song oratorio. Firing across the American psychological, social, and political landscape, she takes on the state of the world, war, and feminism. To help her, she adopts five personas--her American Doll Posse--who take their characteristics from Greek gods, but not their names: Clyde, Pip, Isabel, Santa, and Tori. You need a scorecard to keep track, but don't worry. It's still Tori Amos, bending syllables in improbable pretzels with rippling piano themes and choruses that threaten to go Broadway at any moment. Amos vents her political spleen through "Isabel," leaving no doubt as to her targets on tracks like "Yo George," and comments on our impersonal age and computer addiction with "Digital Ghost." That's sung by the character "Tori," who is reputedly based on Demeter and Dionysus, representing the split between Amos's earth-mother side and her wilder, more libertine tendencies. Anti-war and pro-feminist themes are plastered across American Doll Posse like sloganeering posters. "Dark Side of the Sun" laments both sides of the war, including the Islamists who lay down their lives "for some sick promise of heaven." Amos adopts a big '80s rock sound on many tracks, with guitarist Mac Aladdin pealing off Brian May-style guitar licks over an arena-rock beat. It's where Amos details a more personal sound that American Doll Posse leaves a lasting impression. "Girl Disappearing," sung by "Clyde," holds echoes of the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby," not only because of the string quartet and nostalgic tone, but the updated tale of a woman losing herself. "Smokey Joe" brims with dark atmospheres, Robert Fripp-like guitar sustains, and Amos's most elaborate vocal arrangements, interweaving two sets of lyrics for "Pip." More than a concept album, American Doll Posse is a convergence experience, mixing online blogs from each character, videos, MySpace sites, and more. --John Diliberto Average Rating:
 Rating:  - Long and BoringI'm a huge Tori fan, and I'm really disheartened to admit that her albums have been in slow decline. American Doll Posse was boring. I thought The Beekeeper was nothing special, and it took me many listens to get into Scarlet's Walks, which I ended up liking - not loving. I think the best thing she has released lately is her best-of albums. There are a few good songs on this recent album: Big Wheel, Bouncing Off Clouds, Digital Ghost. Rating:  - Something of a return to formThe first thing you need to know about the concept of "American Doll Posse" is that it's unnecessary in enjoying the music on the record. You needn't bother your mind with silly details that Tori thought were relevant to understanding the album. All you need to know is that Tori is back with her best record since "Boys for Pele", which isn't saying much, considering the fact that "Posse" contains quite a lot of filler. It would be better if she left around seven songs off the record, but it's not ... Read More Rating:  - Different but delightful!This is a little unlike Tori's other albums. There's much more percussion in this one. As usual the songs are deep and passionate, and a challenge to figure out, but I absolutely LOVE this cd. She keeps getting more amazing as she ages. Rating: - Self-indulgence, your name is Tori.I have been a Tori fan since 1992 when I discovered "Little Earthquakes," and I have bought every album she's released since. And sadly, I must ask myself: Where did the Tori Amos I know go? There are two very good songs on this CD, but mostly it suffers from self-indulgent crap. It seems like the only way to appreciate this album is to do some heavy drugs before giving it a spin, and even then I doubt it would have much value or resonance. Also, 23 songs on one disk is ... Read More Rating: - Where have all the Tori fans gone?I bought this CD on a trip to Washington D.C., so maybe I'm a bit predisposed to think of it as an amazing work of art. Any true Tori fan can remember getting a piece of material that inspired him or her to buy an album of hers in the past. For example, I watched the movie "Higher Learning," and in the score, the beautiful song "butterfly" moved me with its amazing and moody melancholy. I literally watched the same scenes in a very forgettable movie just to hear that song. So, I bought Tori's CDs out ... Read More |
