Search - Tori Amos :: God

In the dark world

Armand Aisselle | North Hollywood, California | 07/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Amazon sent me an email asking me to review this CD. I have never written a review before. So: Six months ago I was sorting through old VHS cassettes (I'm in the movie business and get lots of 'em), and came upon a movie called "Hand of Fate." The movie was never released, and is good. The song over the end credits was by "Tori Amos." I had never heard of her (I'm 56 years old and listen mainly to Schoenberg, Henze, Boulez -- those folks), so I logged on to Amazon.com, found out that she has made lots of records, and ordered several based on buyer reviews (like the one you're reading now). One of the CDs I bought in this first group was Tori's single of "God." "God" (the song from her album "Under the Pink") is, needless to say, brilliant; its expressionism and atonality appeal to me especially as a Schoenberg fan. Tori's Cherokee version of "Home on the Range" is staggeringly, jaw-droppingly eloquent, and the two pieces of her "Piano Suite" make me long for her to compose more instrumental music. These are some of the loveliest piano minatures I know.

I have come to realize that what women have accomplished in "popular" music over the past 15 or 20 years is one of the most thrilling events in the history of artistic expression. And Tori Amos is certainly a prime example, if not THE prime example, of this, others being Gillian Welch, Patty Griffin, and Emily Bezar (whom, by the way, I discovered thanks to Amazon.com picking up on my interest in Tori. Amazon.com is the world's foremost music "educator," in my opinion. Yes, they often DO know what you would like, and what you should listen to.)

So: Three big thank yous are in order: First to whoever touched me with that "Hand of Fate" and led me to Tori; then to Amazon for making her work available to me; and last (but, as they used to say, not least) to Tori Amos. Tori, you move me every day. My jaw just keeps on dropping lower and lower with everything you do -- while my heart soars higher and higher. As the poet Haniel long wrote, "You, who make music of everything you touch, in the dark room of my life touch me. Touch hunger, make it Apollo, in the dark world.""

Best suited for serious Tori fans

Daniel Jolley | Shelby, North Carolina USA | 07/14/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The song "God" is very special to me because it is the song that first introduced me to Tori Amos, arguably the most talented musician in the business. "Home on the Range" typifies Amos' talent for taking even the most traditional of songs, standing it on its head, and using it to communicate a fresh, new message from a completely different perspective. In this case, the lyrics reflect an American Indian view of the colonization of their "home on the range" by European colonists. "All the Girls Hate Her" and "Over it" are beautiful piano solos which do much to highlight the true musical genius of Amos. I personally don't like to listen to music without singing, and thus the two instrumental tracks do not appeal to me very much. Even instrumental enthusiasts may be slightly disappointed by the fact that both tracks are less than five minutes in combined length. Basically, I would recommend this item to Tori Amos completists only. It reveals a very soft side of the artist and showcases her musical talents, but I do not think this is music that will find its way into your CD player very often."

Shake your hips to this remixed favorite!

pricem30 | Wisconsin | 03/04/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"God becomes a hip shaking mix set to a heavy drum beat [The Rainforest Resort Mix], you also have a beautiful piano suite [All the Girls hate Her] even without words this song "speaks" for itself its beautiful and Melodic. A perfect addition for any Tori fan, or for anyone looking for something truely different."