In an epoch of digital downloads and singles, embracing the concept album is a rather fortitudinous tactic. This epic 23 song oratorio is an ambitious, if somewhat daunting, endeavour to cover America's social and political panorama. Adopting five separate persona's, in the guise of Greek Gods, she takes on issues such as war, feminism, and the state of the world. For most artists such an undertaking would go seriously astray, indeed you may well need a pad and paper to keep track here due to its enticing complexity. However, a general overall coherence is maintained and the whole concept is kept firmly under control. In fact, it has given her the unique opportunity to address these issues from multiple perspectives and is well worth the listen.
Tori bends syllables into improbable geometrical forms with rippling piano themes and choruses that threaten to go Broadway at any moment. Political venting, anti-war and pro-feminist themes along with commentary on the impersonal age in which we live are plastered all over this album like sloganeering posters. Amos adopts a big 80s rock sound on many tracks but in a good way. You can almost hear the permed-headed-rock-God himself, Brian May, pealing off these guitar licks over an arena-rock beat! What makes this album so good is that it is not so much a traditional concept album, but more a convergence experience, amalgamating everything good and bad about today's culture and molding it all into one package.
Her last two albums have been nothing to write home about, in fact there was a slight fear that she had reached her artistic burnout. Now she seems to be back and arguably operating at the height of her creative powers. No favorite tracks here as it would deter from the whole point of the album. Listen to it from beginning to end, you may get lost but just let yourself, you will eventually find the way back. A wonderful, albeit wild, achievement.
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