The Beekeeper
AfterScarlet's Walk, Tori Amos' 2002 ambitious sonic travelogue that took her to all 50 states, penning love letters to America along the way, the fiery earth-sprite has fashioned another high-minded concept album, tying her 19 songs--and one not-so-hidden track--into a garden motif that's part a retelling ofAlice In Wonderland, anotherA Little Shop of Horrors.The Beekeeperchronicles her rather autobiographical protagonist's journey through what seems to be an overgrown labyrinth of the subconscious as she experiences a series of life-altering events and emotions. In addition, living in Cornwall for the past decade has certainly had an effect on Amos, she even takes inspiration from Daphne Du Maurier's classic novelJamaica Inn, which takes place on that rugged seacoast, but the greatest change is the grit in her voice; on a song like "Hoochie Woman," she sounds like she's channelingChrissie Hynde--a welcome change from some of the preciousness of her earlier work. She also surprises with the steely, eloquent resolve on a song like "Goodbye Pisces" one of the better break-up songs in recent memory.The Beekeeperreturns the quirky singer to the same whimsical terrain of 1992'sLittle Earthquakes, but with much stronger storylines, and a much more assured and nuanced voice. Her best yet. --Jaan UhelszkiRecommended Tori-phernaliaTori Amos: Piece by PieceTori Amos - Welcome to Sunny FloridaLittle EarthquakesUnder the PinkTales of a LibrarianScarlet's Walk