Customer Reviews

Scarlets Walk

5 star:		(273)
4 star:		(72)
3 star:		(29)
2 star:		(16)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

After two somewhat disappointing offerings (Strange Little Girls and To Venus and Back), Tori Amos is back in proper form with a worthy successor to the brilliant From the Choirgirl Hotel. Scarlet's Walk, which details a journey across the United States, is vintage Amos with her uncommonly thought provoking lyrics and gorgeous melodies.

I was getting ready to bail on her, but this record is her redemption. Nearly every track sounds great, and some are among the best she's ever done. "Gold Dust" with it's full orchestration is worth the price of the album alone. "I Can't See New York" has a heartbreaking chorus , and "Carbon" evokes the chilly beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Another not to be missed track is the acapella "Wampum Prayer".

In many ways, Scarlet's Walk is her most accessible album to date. She reportedly was inspired a great deal by 9-11, and
one can really hear the loss and sadness in her voice on several tracks. Although her lyrics tend to be hard to understand, the liner notes include all the words. But I've always felt one of the best things about her music is that even if you don't always 'get' the lyrics you can feel the emotions behind them. This album does that exceptionally well.

If you love Tori, this is a definite buy (but you probably have it already if you are!). If you aren't, consider buying it, despite all the things you may have heard about her. You just might end up becoming a fan.

Tori Amos's first "themed" CD.... in a legitimate, not pretentious, way. 97% of Amos's work is extraordinary, and she has practically built her career on the stepping stones of masterpieces...how many artists can say the same? Tori Amos is a genius and, as with genius, her work leaves behind that of most of her peers, many of whom are "merely" talented. "Scarlet's Walk" contains three of her greatest songs ever written.. .."Virginia" "Gold Dust" and the 9/11 ode "I Can't See New York." Not every number on the album has the same destiny. Some tracks, like "Wampum Prayer" "Don't Make Me Come To Vegas" and "Pancake" can be dull and/or droning; but then, Amos is channeling her music, and the entities expressing themselves through her have their own stories to tell. In interviews, in fact, she herself has often thrown up her hands at their quirky ways. In a sense Tori Amos takes no responsibility for her music...a trait indigenous to all true artists. When "it" talks (whatever it is), she listens; and although her muses wander off sometimes,they always bring her back wonderful things. "Scarlet's Walk" is goergous in a "goodbye to all that" context....a great and obscure act of patriotism in its way, a trip down America's memory lane, Amos's roots in the American South (which is evoked in mournful loveliness) and a post 9/11 world.

This is probably one of Tori's best CD's out there. It has soul, and her lyrics still puzzle us, but we try and interperate it any way we want. Scarlet's Walk is beautiful and WORTH the buy if you love the most original and precious melodies around. Her voice is wonderful, and is expressed to the fullest. Her woody and magical tones send you down memory lane, and all you want to do is kick back and relax with all the songs on a lazy afternoon, winter or summer.

Songs which I loved:

2. Sorta Fairytale - first Tori Amos song I'd ever heard. Still one of my personal favourites. A good song for the road.

5. Carbon - a delicious song and truly beautiful in every way. I wish she had more songs like this.

9. Sweet Sangria - magical and dark at the same time as being sweet.

10. Your Cloud - Beautiful is all I can say. Very relaxing to listen to.

12. I Can't See New York - A strong song where her voice reigns supreme.

14. Taxi Ride - Brings you down high school again, lets you think back and blush at all the silly things you've done with your friends.

17. Virginia - Lovely dark undertones to this song.

18. Gold Dust - Nostalgia plus.

Tori Amos won a legion of fans by confessing her vulnerabilities on her first two albums, and she made it easy to follow with lyrics written in full sentences. But she stayed true to her own path with Pele and Choirgirl Hotel, and some fans didn't like that so much. A pity for them, because they really missed out on her glorious transformation from a maiden plaintive and hungry for answers to a wise, fertile matriarch. Those of us who sat down to listen to Pele and Choirgirl with a glass of wine and went with her on her journeys through Strange Little Girls have now been rewarded with a truly soulful and loving work. Everything in due time. Amazing, genius, brilliant.

Tori has never made a bad album but this one is a masterpiece. I listened to her mature as a singer and songwriter from Little Earthquakes and every album after that. She has the voice of an angel and she's a virtuoso on the piano. Combine that with her intelligent and sensitive lyrics and some haunting melodies and you have a listening experience that is truly moving and emotionally fulfilling.

The instrumental accompaniment on each cut is excellent. Like the banjo prelude in Virginia, it really sets the mood and setting for the song. I never get tired of listening to this album, though I admit I don't always understand the meaning of the lyrics, and I don't always agree with her liberal sentiments. I'm quite the political opposite of her, but as long as she is singing, I will try to think like a liberal.

Tori has an intellectual quality that is far above that of most pop artists. Her treatment of American Indians is especially poignant and poetic, as in Strange: "Woke up to a world that I am not a part except when I can play its stranger." This is music of the highest quality by any standards.

Many have accused this album of not "staying true" to the old Tori sound, not being honost and selling out in order to win Grammies.

Don't believe the lies.

Although the sound is different, that's just how Tori Amos is. She is intelligent and talented enough to know when there needs to be a change. And in this case, the whole album surrounds the physical and emotional geography of America after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. The tone of the album is very epic, with string arrangements here and there, 18 songs (two of which are enormously long), and some of the most interesting characters ever featured in her work.

Yes, I said characters. First of all, the album surrounds the concept of a woman named Scarlet (a manifestation of Tori Amos herself) traveling across America and meeting all of these interesting people. For instance, the first song "Amber Waves" is about a woman (named after Julianne Moore's porn star character in Boogie Nights) who is eaten up and then spit back out by the porn industry. She's in great need of consoloation and Scarlet comes to give it to her ("So I went by 'cause I had the time. Told the Northern Lights to keep shining. They told me to tell you they're waving.").

And that's what makes the album so much better than it could've ended up being. Each song is injected with so much individuality because of the character and experience each one explains. Whether it be in the sound or the lyrical value, each tune has its own identity.

There are only a few songs that do come off as being "mainstream": "A Sorta Fairytale" was on the radio for a while, "Taxi Ride" is probably her most pop-oriented piece, and "Strange" was, at one point, edited for the radio with guitars that sounded almost too mechanical. But there are so many great songs that any music that may hinder an old fan's enjoyment of the album is vastly out-weighed.

"Wednesday" has a great sense of having fun at the Bosendorfer. "I Can't See New York" is a beautiful, epic meditation (and tribute) to the twin towers and those who fell with them. "Carbon" probably has the most sensory lyrics on the whole album. And the piano is amazing, probably one of the most difficult modern pieces I've ever heard (and seen; on paper it's even more mind-boggling). "Crazy" is the best song on the album: it's relaxing, the Fender Rhodes is used to great (and subtle) effect, the vocals are haunting and, to top it off, the lyrics are heart-wrenchingly brilliant ("First, let's just unzip your religion down"). It is a genius song about finding comfort in the dangerous ("And I let Crazy settle in"). Another great song (that comes across as inaccessible) is "Pancake." The lyrics may be difficult to understand or listen to ("Looks like you and your tribe decided you'd rewrite the law. Segregate the mind from body from soul"). It isn't the catchiest song, either. But what makes it amazing (apart from the lyrics and interesting sound) are the vocals. Amos takes out a measure or two just for the sake of moaning out a note and bringing it up a few notches, sometimes sounding scratchy and dangerous. They are beyond intriguing.

There are even songs reminiscent of Little Earthquakes and Under the Pink, such as the short a cappella tune "Wampum Prayer," and the wonderfully cheerful "Mrs. Jesus." But what most resembles Tori's older work is "Gold Dust," a sweeping thought-piece about looking at photographs and falling back into a better time, a better place ("Sights and sounds pull me back down another year: I WAS HERE"). Other highlights include the rock of "Sweet Sangria," the subtle anger of "Don't Make Me Go to Vegas," the ethereal beauty of "Your Cloud" and the haunting undertones of "Scarlet's Walk."

Even "Strange" grew on me. But I've always had a special place in my heart for "A Sorta Fairytale" and "Taxi Ride," which are quite refreshing at their core.

Overall, the album is a successful one. The reason I did not give it an extra star is because it took me a long while to get back into it after having heard her other albums. For a while, the toned down sound didn't allow me to really immerse myself into it as much as her other albums, which were more diverse. But as its own album, Scarlet's Walk never ceases to amaze with its concept of a lone woman journying across the nation to discover herself and the mental state of her country.

Ah, Tori Amos. She's like a religion: some are devout, some strongly question, and others feel that she's just not for them. With Scarlet's Walk, Tori has managed to slip past her own iconograpy by writing from various perspectives about the American experience in a post-9/11 world.
Far from a political diatribe, Walk focuses on the personal and its reflection of society: "Out past the fountain, a left by the station, I start the day in the usual way, then think- well, why not- and stop for a coffee, then begin to recall things that you say," the character in Wednesday muses. In an almost Joni Mitchell-style of storytelling, she waxes poetic while still maintaining the strain of reality: "and even as I'm climbing up the stairs, I know there's heaven there, and then empty arms that comes with the morning star." The symbolic jumble found in Boys for Pele has been replace with coherent threads of thought.
Musically, Amos has reigned in the cathartic explosions of the past (what a reporter from Spin once called "emotional incontinence"); the restraint has paid off, as the songs on Walk are full of dynamic changes and addictive melodies. Amber Waves, I Can't See New York, and Gold Dust stand out as some of Tori's best songs, but every song here will keep the listener engaged.
The album isn't without flaws, however. Every song has the same ending: diminuendo e ritardando, close out on the vocal. At times, Amos' voice sound too muted amidst the band (A Sorta Fairytale, Virginia) and relies too much on the multitrack. At the end of the day, however, Scarlet's Walk reveals a mature Amos whose musical strenth is still in shape.

This CD is good.
Really good.
I won't try to use text to explain how wonderful a song is. That's just a waste of time.
All I'm saying is this:
Listening to this CD made almost all my other CD's seem dull and boring. Even if it had been half as long, it would have been worth twice it's price. Some of these songs are so perfect you'll think you're dreaming.
Buy this CD NOW.

Amos venture to new sounds in her last three albums, where well receive and admire, but with her new label Epic this album, she goes back to a familiar sound "a-la-Under the Pink", this album will satisfied any Amos fan in every aspect, it conserves her approach of music with wicked lyrics and double minded intentions. The more settle music of "Scarlet'ws Walk" it's a group of tunes that saw the life by specific livings in a USA travel trip. Great voice, great music, great talent, enchanting stories, a worth record to own.

I don't know how some Tori fans are disappointed with this album. This CD is Tori's most beautiful and breath taking with its stunning lyrics. It has a lot of harmonies and still and as always piano driven. All the songs are original and captivating. This album is a story teller.

AMBER WAVES // an excellent start to the album, starts off with Tori's vocals. The chorus is haunting: 'into every young man's bedroom - you gave it up', gives me chills.

A SORTA FAIRYTALE // the single, most people and even me at times look down on singles. This is the best single I have ever heard in my entire life. The lyrics are simple amazing: 'and I'm still sad, like a good book I can't put this day back...it's a sorta fairytale with you...' wow.

WEDNESDAY // though somewhat reminisent of 'Happy Phantom', I find this one of my favourites to sing along to. It's jumpy piano and Tori's vocals make this one seem like a classic: 'no one's at the door, you suggest a ghost perhaps a phantom I agree with this in part...'

STRANGE // one of my favourites on the album, it's a sad sort of relationship type song even though it's not about a relationship at all. The lyrics remind me of one. Descriptive and illuminating, a definite stand out: 'deeper than I thought I was, if I have enough love for the both of us'

CARBON // I love how you can go through a CD and just melt. This song is beautiful: 'no I can't hold, have him read 'Snow Glass Apples' where nothing is what it seems', ooh how I love it.

CRAZY // The opening line drags you in, it's a beautiful joy ride: 'not saying, not charmed at all, not saying that you weren't worth the fall...but I was alone when I knew it was real...' tear ;)

WAMPUM PRAYER // My least favourite track, I skip this one every time, it's the ONLY flaw on the album. Only 44 seconds but I still skip it.

DON'T MAKE ME COME TO VEGAS // The music is bouncy, somewhat like 'Wednesday' but in a different way. Nice song, showcases Tori's range a lot: 'Athena will attest that it could be done and it has been done and I think that I am up to it', Tori seems mad here but it doesn't sound like it.

SWEET SANGRIA // Another stand out, a story teller at its finest: 'I know you, know every desperado and sharp shooter...' awesome starting line.

YOUR CLOUD // Really relaxing, stunningly beautiful, slower and haunting. It's a great song to sit on a lawn chair outside and look at the sky: 'if the rain has to separate from itself does it say 'pick out your cloud?''

PANCAKE // Probably my favourite, I'm not quite sure if I can pick one yet but this song has everything. Lyrically, vocally and musically amazing. Again, the beginning will pull you in: 'I'm not sure who's fooling who here as I'm watching your decay...we both know you could deflate a 7 hurricane', Tori's vocals are surpass so many female artists.

I CAN'T SEE NEW YORK // This was my favourite at the beginning, still is one of them...the longest song, around 7 minutes, but it's worth it. A lot of piano, single vocals ... just beautiful and captivating: 'and you said...and you did...and you said you would find me here, and you said you would find me even in death'

MRS. JESUS // Another vocal greatness, starts off with her voice again, a couple of the songs do on this album: 'life lines and suicide crimes he found me in a state...'

TAXI RIDE // Could be tied with Pancake and some others for my favourite, it's so beautiful and happy. It starts off with strange lyrics like: 'Lily is dancing on the table...we've all been pushed too far'

ANOTHER GIRL'S PARADISE // Ooh how I LOVE TORI AMOS. Just listen to this one with your eyes closed, shivers: 'does it all come down to the thing, one girl fears in the night is another girl's paradise'

SCARLET'S WALK // Another one of my favourites, haunting. No wonder Tori named the entire CD after this one: 'if you're a thought, you will want me to think you, and I did...' and I love the lyrics and vocals especially on this part: 'the new sheriff said, quite proud of his badge...you must admit the land is now in good hands'

VIRGINIA // A great song, I don't know how to describe this one. Listen and see for yourself: 'the thing that he loves he will change from her sunwise to clockwise'

GOLD DUST // The perfect closing track, dangling off the edge vocally, it drips like honey...I love this track. The closing lines will make you almost want to cry by the way Tori sings it, 'I'm freezing that frame and somewhere Alfie smiles and says 'enjoy her every cry''

In all, Tori fans should NOT be disappointed, I've liked Tori for years and this is beautiful. Oh well, your loss, this is a keeper and a MUST for a Tori collection.