Universal Republic
Alternative Rock, 2009
Well, folks, it’s official: Tori Amos has hit the decade mark. That’s right, Abnormally Attracted to Sin is her 10th studio album–not counting that brief, misguided moment when she thought she could be a punk-rock band, but hey, who’s counting?
It’s… well, it’s another Tori Amos. Much like your aunt’s fifth wedding, it’s exactly what you’d expect: a little awkward, a lot of heavy emotional baggage, and more than a few moments that make you wonder if anyone really knows what’s going on.
Now, there’s a whole backstory to this album that’s drenched in religious and mythological imagery, which Ms Amos always brings to the table like a fashionably late guest who insists on talking about deep, spiritual things while everyone else is just trying to eat chips.
The album is supposed to be a bold exploration of issues like sex, feminism, and other weighty topics, but when you stumble upon a song titled Welcome to England, you can’t help but wonder… what does England have to do with all this? Did she get lost in the airport on her way to a profound epiphany? It’s in the lyrics, I suppose, though deciphering them might require a PhD in both Tori Amos-ese and Modern Abstract Poetry.
Musically, we’re not exactly breaking new ground here. The tracks sound like a medley of her past few albums, so much so that Abnormally Attracted to Sin could be described as a “greatest hits” album… if the hits were all from B-sides and alternate versions of tracks that no one asked for.
You might find yourself thinking, “Didn’t she already sing this before?” And yes, you probably have, because this feels less like an album and more like a very long encore of one of her post-Boys for Pele album with a few too many sound effects sprinkled in for fun.
As for whether Ms Amos has run out of things to sing about… well, it’s starting to feel that way. The album’s vibe is… familiar. And by familiar, I mean comfortably repetitive, like your third favorite cardigan that you only wear when you can’t find anything better.
But hey, 10 albums! That’s no small feat. Sure, a little variety wouldn’t hurt, but it’s something, right?
So, what’s next? Are we getting that game-changing album in the next round? Please, for all of us, let’s hope the next release doesn’t sound like this one’s underwhelming cousin. Here’s hoping Tori Amos finds a way to actually bowl us over, rather than simply giving us another gentle nudge and a knowing wink.
