The latest release from singer/songwriter/pianist Tori Amos is an entire cd of cover tunes. I always wonder if this is a planned exercise, or if these artists simply didn't have enough new songs to record and release an entire cd. No matter what the reason is, it's always an interesting experience to listen how some of these are interpreted by a new singer. Tori Amos is very much an acquired taste. I enjoy listening to her music, but it's definitely not for everyone. Covering a very broad range of artists, including The Beatles, Tom Waits, Eminem, and The Stranglers, Tori's die-hard fans would probably find "Strange Little Girls" to be another great release. Although I'd probably be more excited to have a new original album from Amos, this collection should keep fans satisfied for a while
I might as well jump in right away and talk about my favorite track on the cd; "Strange Little Girl". Originally done by the french punk/new wave band The Stranglers, Amos' version highlights some great electric piano and percussion, making this the most powerful track on the release. Eminem's "97 Bonnie and Clyde" is given such a subdued treatment, that it comes off sounding like a poetry reading at a local coffee house. With strings in the background, Amos recites the violent lyrics without blinking an eye; "Momma says she wants to show you how far she can float, don't worry about that little boo-boo on her throat; it's just a little scratch.". Although I'm not familiar with the original, Amos' "cocktail lounge" jazz approach makes the content sound incredibly cold and cruel. Maybe this her intention to try and upstage the controversial rapper. "I Don't Like Mondays", originally by the Boomtown Rats, is another toned-down number. The electric piano makes another appearance, but Amos' breathy rendition loses my interest after the first minute into the song. Barely reconizable on this release would be "Happiness is a Warm Gun". Splicing in various clips of dialogue, including a radio announcement of John Lennon's murder and somone defending our "2nd ammendment right of the people to keep and bear arms", Amos' version of this Beatle's tune makes plenty of political statements during the nine-plus minutes of this song. Her gritty vocals chanting "Mother Superior jumped the gun" is gripping to listen to. Funky guitar and drums gives this cover a funkier feel than the original. You can tell immediately where Tori Amos stands concerning the possession of fire arms in the U.S.. The cd closes with a loyal cover of Joe Jackson's "Real Men". Jackson's version was really just him and his piano, and Amos gives the same treatment in her recording. Amos sounds most comfortable performing this song than any of the other 11 tunes here. I have a feeling that she's been playing this song for many years, and I hope that her loyal fans will try to discover Joe Jackson, as well as many of the other covered musicians on this release.
Other notable (and curious) covers on "Strange Little Girls" would include 10-CC's "I'm Not In Love", and Neil Young's "Heart of Gold". Amos should be commended with altering the sound of these particular songs to give a new feel for them, but Tori Amos is a somewhat complicated musician, and it may be a while until I can fully appreciate all these renditions. This is just slight criticism though. I enjoy this release for the most part. But I'm more inspired to go back and listen to the vast array of her original albums that she's been churning out for the last 10 years. For fans who know Tori Amos well, "Strange Little Girls" would be a good addition to your collection. For the casual fan, you're probably better off trying out "Little Earthquakes" or "Under the Pink" first.
