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Rating:
The American Doll Ball, with a title that already hints at the political backdrop of the work, returns to its fans two years after the last "The Beekeeper" by Tori Amos.
Five characters, five Goddesses (Isabel/Artemis, Clyde/Persephone, Pip/Athena, Santa/Aphrodite and Tori/Demeter) who stand against the universe of American machoist Teo-con resurgence. This is the framework of a concept (the fourth in her career) that moves aggressively in today's America and seeks to stir souls and consciences for almost 80 minutes across 23 songs (all in one album).
To speak worthily of this work, the writer must take a small step back in time: in fact, I must immediately say that I am a longtime fan of the redhead (from the first album to be clear) and I am insanely in love with all the works created by Myra Ellen in the '90s and I am perplexed about those of the current decade, especially the latest which, with its prolixity, never convinced me. Therefore, upon hearing the news reporting the above-mentioned characteristics of the album, I wrinkled my nose a little.
The fact is, it was difficult for me to grasp the meaning of yet another concept and, above all, I had serious doubts about whether my beloved could sustain 80 inspired minutes of music at this historical moment since "Boys for Pele" from '96 lasts more than 70 minutes and is absolutely an unmissable experience.
Well, after 9 days of careful listening, I must say that my doubts, if not all, have largely been swept away. If, in fact, we start from the premise that Tori has definitely shifted towards more traditional sounds, partially leaving behind the acrobatics she had accustomed us to, this "American Doll Posse" is a work that is up to the mark. First of all, what stands out is the absolute simplicity of the arrangements with a band composed of guitar, bass, drums, and Tori alternating between piano, electric piano, Wurlitzer, and harpsichord, with all the backing vocals strictly sung by her. Present in some songs are also horns and violins, but never invasive and almost "whispered" (forgive the term!), and electronics practically reduced to the bone.
The structure really isn't very linear and there are many style changes, and Amos also enjoys inserting little entertainments just over a minute long, which can initially leave one puzzled but with repeated listening take on meaning in a work that perhaps wants to appear deliberately disjointed to convey the feeling of the various personalities alternating. As a common denominator, however, it must be said that the sound atmosphere reigning throughout is absolutely American (and in such a strong way, it's the first time in her career) with references to jazz, blues, and even folk-country, but alternating dark moments with decidedly main-stream ones.
A bold album that can leave one flabbergasted, where the American pianist follows her inspiration in an integralist manner, leaving nothing behind, gambling it all with a fearlessness that's almost moving, delivering a message that clearly states: "I am like this, take it or leave it." Personally, I like to listen to it in two different moments, first, the initial twelve quite sunny songs where "Bouncing off Clouds" and "Secret Spell" stand out, which in my opinion "risk" becoming two of her classics and why not, also wink at the radio universe but with the right elegance. Then, after a coffee break, the last 11 where Tori indulges in a more "dirge-like" dimension with genuinely beautiful moments like "Code Red", "The Dark Side of the Sun", and "Dragon".
A complex and multifaceted work by an artist who appears, if not in her golden period, still alive and with something important and valid to say. Speaking of defects, the usual discussion arises: perhaps she needs a producer capable of curbing her compositional vein to create more concrete and less prolix works, but in any case this problem is less noticeable here.
NDA: This album had already been reviewed, and I usually don't do duplicates, but given the emotional significance Tori holds for me (and with the previous reviewer's positive opinion), I made an exception to the rule. Thank you for understanding....
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Big Wheel (03:18)
I've been on the other side
Got my lips smacked now they're dry
Then you call me call me in
You think I am your possession
You're messing with a southern girl
But my recipe is on with your
Stale bread, yeah it's hot
But Baby I don't need your cash
So Baby, maybe I let your
Big Wheel turn my fantasy
Don't you throw your shade on me
I've been drinkin' down your pain
Gonna turn that whiskey into rain
And wash it away
Wash it away
Wash it away boy
Let's go
I've been on my knees
But you're so hard, hard to please
Did you take me, take me in
So you are a superstar
Get off the cross we need the wood
Somehow you will rise
But without a tool
I know honey you're a pro
But Baby, I don't need your cash
Mama got it all in hand now
Big Wheel turn my fantasy
Don't you throw that shade on me
I've been drinkin' down your pain
Gonna turn that whiskey into rain
And wash it away
Wash it away
Wash it away boy
Gimme 8
Gimme 7
Gimme 6
Gimme 5
Gimme 4
Gimme 3
I-I-I am a M-I-L-F don't you forget
M-I-L-F don't you forget
M-I-L-F don't you forget
Baby I don't need your cash
So Baby maybe I let your
Big Wheel turn my fantasy
Don't you throw that shade on me
I've been drinkin' down your pain
Gonna turn that whiskey into rain
And let your
Big Wheel turn my fantasy
Don't you throw that shade on me
I've been drinkin' down your pain
Gonna turn that whiskey love into rain
Gonna turn your whiskey boy into rain
And wash it away
Wash you away boy
Wash you down
Big Wheel
04 Teenage Hustling (04:00)
You think you can come around here
All up in his face
All up in my world
You better know you better know you better know
I'm at your door I'm at your door I'm at your door
You better know you better know you better know
I'm at your door I'm at your door I'm at your
You gotta right you gotta right to know
You gotta right you gotta right to know
Me and my teenage hustling
I've been workin' it
Since I's fourteen
Me and my teenage hustling
It's gonna save me
Save me save me save me save me save me
From your dirty dealings
You're a dirty girl
You're such a dirty girl
You better know you better know you better know
I'm at your door I'm at your door I'm at your door
You better know you better know you better know
I'm at your door I'm at your door I'm at your
Maybe the riddle of this accident
Goes back to your gossip
With a ferocious strategy
You play wounded in his cockpit
But I think that you forgot my days
Of teenage hustling
You better know you better know you better know
I'm at your door I'm at your door I'm at your door
You better know you better know you better know
I'm at your door I'm at your door I'm at your
You gotta right you gotta right to know
You gotta right you gotta right to know
You gotta right you gotta right to know
Me and my teenage hustling
I've been workin' it
Since I's fourteen
Me and my teenage hustling
I've been workin' it
Since I's fourteen
But you been skankin' around
With your talentless trash
You only shoot blanks
At your cocksure best
Me and my teenage hustling
Me and my teenage hustling
It's gonna save me
Save me save me save me save me save me
From your dirty dealings
Now I don't mind a dirty girl
I don't mind a dirty girl
You better know you better know you better know
I'm at your door I'm at your door I'm at your door
You better know you better know you better know
I'm at your door I'm at your door I'm at your door
05 Digital Ghost (03:50)
It started as a joke
Just one of my larks to see
if somehow I could reach you so
I swam into your shores
through an open window
Only to find you all alone
Curled up with machines
now it seems you're slipping
out of the land of the living
Just take a closer look
Take a closer look
At what it is that's really haunting you
I have to trust you'll know
this digital ghost
But I fear there's only so much time
'cause the you I knew is fading away
Hands lay them on my keys
Let me play you again
I am not immune to your net
Find me there in it
I won't go even if in
your heart only beats ones and O's
Switch you on my friend
Pull you from that rip current
But only you can fight against this
Take a closer look
Just take a closer look
At what it is that's really haunting you
I have to trust you'll know
this digital ghost
But I fear there's only so much time
'cause the you I knew is fading away
fading
fading
away
--_________
Digital Ghost / Fantasma Digital
It started as a joke / Comenzó como una broma
Just one of my larks to see / como una de mis bromas para ver
if somehow I could reach you so / si podía alcanzarte de alguna manera
I swam into your shores / nadé hacia tus playas
through an open window / por una ventana abierta
Only to find you all alone / para encontrarte completamente solo
Curled up with machines / acurrucado con máquinas
now it seems you’re slipping / ahora parece que te estás yendo
out of the land of the living / de la tierra y de los vivos
Just take a closer look / nomás mira de cerca
Take a closer look / mira de cerca
At what it is that’s really haunting you / lo que realmente te atormenta
I have to trust you’ll know / Tendré que confiar en que conocerás
this digital ghost / a este fantasma digital
But I fear there’s only so much time / Pero me temo que hay poco tiempo
‘cause the you I knew is fading away / porque el "tú" que conocí está desapareciendo
Hands lay them on my keys / manos, recargalas en mis teclas
Let me play you again / déjame tocarte de nuevo
I am not immune to your net / no soy inmune a tu red
Find me there in it / encuentrame en ella
I won’t go even if / no iré aún si
in your heart only beats ones and O’s / en tu corazón nomás laten ceros y unos
Switch you on my friend / enciéndete mi amigo
Pull you from that rip current / apártate de esa condición
But only you can fight against this and / Pero sólo tú puedes luchar contra esto
Take a closer look / mira de cerca
Just take a closer look / nomás mira de cerca
At what it is that’s really haunting you / lo que realmente te atormenta
I have to trust you’ll know / Tendré que confiar en que conocerás
this digital ghost / a este fantasma digital
But I fear there’s only so much time / Pero me temo que hay poco tiempo
‘cause the you I knew is fading away / porque el "tú" que conocí está desapareciendo
fading, fading, away / desapareciendo, desapareciendo.
08 Fat Slut (00:41)
"Fat Slut" you said, what luck I said
To be stuck in your, your happy family
"Don't you dare," I said,
"Judge me," You go and
Stick it in somewhere, I'm
I'm sick-a hearin' it, You go
Stick it in somewhere, I'm
I'm sick a hearing it
10 Secret Spell (04:04)
In one hand dreams a plenty
In her smile a secret spell
There have been disappointments
These she knows all too well
And you losing you was not
A part of this plan
So jumps at three tears at thirteen
Just turn you around for
Eighteen wheels in a high heel
Just turn you around
Sold a dream at twenty three
Turn you around
Hold out
You still got your secret spell
At the heart of the matter
Someone wove a secret spell
Mixed with girl not so peaceful
Angel and animal
But me losing you was not
A part of this plan
So jumps at three tears at thirteen
Just turn you around for
Eighteen wheels in a high heel
Just turn you around
Sold a dream at twenty three
Turn you around
Hold out
You still got your secret spell
Girl you got to do a 180
Disappointment you know it well
But you losing you was not
A part of this plan
So jumps at three tears at thirteen
Just turn you around for
Eighteen wheels in a high heel
Just turn you around
Sold a dream at twenty three
Turn you around
Hold out
Hold out
You still got your secret spell
Girl you got to do a 180
'cause you still got your secret spell
14 Programmable Soda (01:25)
Think of me as programmable soda
Too much cherry? Baby then you can
Just add cola
Think of me as programmable soda
'Cause you can, can be a cruel fella
So okay, then I just back off
The vanilla
Think of me as programmable soda
'cause I've come, I've come to accept that
For lovelies you are a fanatic
But I can't, I can't let that throw me
Into a genital p-p-panic
Think of me as programmable soda
Too much cherry? Baby then you can
Just add cola
Think of me as programmable soda
When you think and boy when you drink
When you think of me
15 Code Red (05:27)
Some say that I will and some say I won't
Victory is an elusive whore
She is as easily mine
As she is yours
Slip and slide my way through this charade
I know all the players and I must say
Do this long enough
You get a taste for it
I'll do this last one and I'll grow me some wine
Leave them troubled boys all behind
What you stole, I would have given freely
Code Red you're staring
Code Red staring at me
Well sometimes he do and sometimes he don't
Sometimes I love myself best alone
Do this long enough
you get a taste for it
A six pack of Coke and a bottle of Jack
"Whatever you do" he said "look after that," yeah well
Being trusted and lusted
It could be worse than that
I'll do this last one and I'll grow me some wine
Leave them troubled boys all behind
What you stole, I would have given freely
Code Red staring
Code Red staring
Come on baby I can drink you down
Then I have my job to do and do well
Since you won't give guarantees
I'll be cashing out
I'll do this last one and I'll grow me some wine
Leave them troubled boys all behind
Said I'll do this last one and I'll grow me some wine
Leave them troubled boys all behind
What you stole, I would have given freely
Code Red staring
Code Red staring
18 Almost Rosey (05:23)
Uh uh uh hey hey hey Uh uh uh hey hey hey Just a minute of your time Yes, I've been known to delude myself So let me put those rose colored glasses to the test Now, is this real enough for you? 'Cause blondes here don't jump out of cakes If that never impressed you much Come board this lunatic express Just why do they say "have a nice day", anyway? We both know they wouldn't mind If I just curled up and died Oh, let's not give that one a try Chin up, put on a pair of these roseys Raise those blinds Chin up, a happy mask was never Your best disguise Chin up, put on a pair of these roseys In no time You will feel almost fine Almost rosey Uh uh uh hey hey hey Now some girls here will huddle with No, not footballers that are rich But will confide in small white sticks He bats as The Virginian Slim Then I tried once to comply With an authority that would subsidize my wild side But at this altar was sacrificed Yes, you can laugh A femme fatale in a bride's dress Now married to the effortlessness of the cracks That lie now in between the facts Just why do they say "have a nice day", anyway? We both know they wouldn't mind If I just curled up and died Oh, let's not give that one a try Chin up, put on a pair of these roseys Raise those blinds Chin up, a happy mask was never Your best disguise Chin up, put on a pair of these roseys In no time You will feel almost fine Almost rosey Uh uh uh hey hey hey Now about when Violet died The cause still unidentified She thought her love would be enough But you can't seduce seduction Her tentacles of endless want Reach through my corridors And tempt me to taste of her power I sober with the witching hour And when I hear of one more bomb Yes, we have all been robbed of song And nightingales who throw their arms up When is enough enough? Just why do they say "have a nice day", anyway? We both know they wouldn't mind If I just curled up and died Oh, let's not give that one a try Chin up, put on a pair of these roseys Raise those blinds Chin up, a happy mask was never Your best disguise Chin up, put on a pair of these roseys In no time You will feel almost fine Almost rosey Uh uh uh hey hey hey Feeling almost rosey Uh uh uh hey hey hey Feeling almost rosey
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Other reviews
By Cloud
"American Doll Posse is an album with attitude, this time blatantly on display."
"Dragon and Smokey Joe rightfully enter a hypothetical list of the Redhead’s best tracks ever."
By dannii
These five women have different personalities and looks, but all five want to make their voices heard!
Only some tracks are saved while the remaining songs are low-level experiments by Tori Amos.
