"I believe in peace, bitch"
It won't be easy, but I'll try to overcome my hatred for all
things pink and give this album a fair review. We're already moving ahead the
Alanis Morissette-like confessional tendencies shown in Little Earthquakes
and into the willing obscurity that would plague her next offering, Boys
For Pele. Yet, by now, Tori's still a rather shy character, her voice sounds
subdued, and her attacks on religion are nowhere as virulent (and funny) as
would soon become. Of course, you still have "God", which doesn't strike me
as specially heretic, and "Icicle", which I'll be discussing later on, but the
focus is on little women stories ("The Waitress", with Tori making her best
Robert Plant impression in the chorus, "The Wrong Band", "Cornflake Girl").
Producer Eric Rosse indefensibly throws hip, cheesy synths and programmed percussion
in a couple of places but doesn't stand much in the way, and you get to hear
lots of brilliant piano playing, sometimes backed by a string section ("Baker
Baker", "Cloud On My Tongue", a bit dull, this one). In "Bells For Her" she
plays a "prepared piano", and the effect is somewhat similar to that of the
opening theme from the Exorc... from Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells (a
terribly boring album, truth be told) or notes coming out a music box. It's
over five minutes long and very quiet, but its atmosphere doesn't let go. The
"can't hide what's coming" refrain also helps.
"Cornflake Girl", a bona fide hit, is remarkable. Never one to be outdone, no
matter how many instruments are in the mix (a mandolin at the very beginning
that gives the song a Celtic flavour, ringbells, the works), Tori does her best
at the piano and sings in a cool, detached way. Merry Clayton's guest appearance
is stellar also. Excellent track.
Actually, it leaves me wondering just why had "Space Dog" to be included in
the album. I surely don't need yet another stab at intergalactic funk. Intergalactic
funk? Well, how else can you describe a song with jazzy cymbals, strong beats
and a bass line played by someone who has heard "Baby Elephant Walk" way too
many times, and yet got it wrong? There's even a theremin imitation. You know,
as if that space dog was the character of some bad 50's sci-fi movie. I'll grant
it is unusual, but the song attempts to be a ballad at the same time, and the
results are rather odd. Much better is "Yes Anastasia", hands down, Tori's most
ambitious song ever: the pretentiousness is shot through the roof as she takes
the task of telling Anastasia Romanova's true story (supposedly urged by the
Russian princess' spirit). It takes nine minutes for the song to reach its climax,
but when it gets there, you'll be blown away. By the way, isn't that a mazurka
she plays in the breaks of the second verse? Bet it is! Damn catchy chorus,
too.
Finally, "Icicle", after its long introduction, with noodling alternatively
childish and dark, shows her free melodic conception. The song is about what
Tori used to do upstairs when his father was praying. No, I'm not gonna tell
you. You'll have to hear the song. And don't tell me that you could always search
the lyrics on the Net, that would be no fun. So there. Just in case you didn't
get it, I command you to buy this album. Under The Pink. Right. By the
way, I'm really looking forward to Dio's new album, Kill The Dragon.
Now that's a good title.
Any comments or reviews to grate us with?