American Doll Posse

Several guises of Tori Amos

If Myra Ellen Amos, professionally known as Tori Amos makes up her mind to write new songs she does it purposefully and quickly enough. After 2005's The Beekeeper the singer and pianist has added some new instruments to her usual sets and this year presents her new record American Doll Posse. As the artist has stated in one of her interviews the new album is utterly different from everything she has done before although it is again insparable from her introspection. The point is that on American Doll Posse there are actually several sides, or guises of Tori Amos each having a name: Santa, Isabel, Clyde, Tori and Pip. On the album's cover these heroines are wearing different costumes and wigs. The images symbolize the roles women play in the men's world, and thus the album has a distinct feminist implication which is one of Tori's favorite themes. Besides remaining faithful to herself she has paid attention to the questions of religion, policy and relationship.

Skepticism and fairy-tale on American Doll Posse

Although there are twenty-three tracks on American Doll Posse, some of them are so short that are similar to interludes if it were not for the deep sense of each of them. Such is the minute and a half opener Yo George, evidently addressed to George W. Bush, and despite its brevity it is enough for Tori to say all that she thinks of the president's policy. On rhythmic songs Bouncing Off Clouds and Teenage Hustling the singer returns to rock, demonstrating that she has not lost her ability to sound aggressive and hard. A rude Amos who compares people to animals performs melodious composition You Can Bring Your Dog, and the shortest track on the record Fat Slut is filled with open abhorrence and anger, which are also typical of the singer's earliest works. One of the softest and most beautiful melodies refines a sad song Girl Disappearing, and powerful track Body And Soul revealing Amos's attitude towards religious limitations amazes with an unforgettable rhythm. Pessimistic lyrics and a slow gentle accompaniment create a slight disbalance on a piano ballad Father's Son, while Almost Rosey is interesting for the fact that it constantly wants to grow into a breathtaking composition and never does. The album closer is a dreamy song Dragon that adds a fairy-tale to the generally skeptic and dark stream of consciousness.

One should always be vigilant with Tori Amos

Amos has often surprised the audience with her extravagant way of thinking and independence of her judgment. Her manner of singing is recognizable and difficult to copy and although the singer does not possess the strongest voice in the whole world she has definitely learned to use it. No matter what song you choose to hear Tori refines each of them with inimitable sliding from the loudest to the quietest, from whisper to shouting and from crying to laughter. Her creative approach to the new album is sure to make fans remember of her cover 2001collection Strange Little Girls, on which the singer has also emphasized various variants of treating the songs. Yet this time she went farther and made up the names for her alter-egoes and developed their characters. As a result American Doll Posse is a comprehensive presentation of the artist's life, ideas and various moods. At the same time such division of personality reminds of a game and once again proves that one should always be vigilant with such a unique singer as Tori Amos.