Pros: Many great songs; a nice re-visiting of sounds from the Choirgirl/Venus era
Cons: Perhaps too long; a few filler songs; could've been stronger if it were trimmed down
The Bottom Line: Tori's Abnormally Attracted to Sin, is absolutely an improvement over her last few less memorable releases. In some ways, this is a "return to form" to the trippy Choirgirl/Venus days.
blindsider's Full Review: Abnormally Attracted To Sin by Tori Amos
Oh, the subdivisions of Tori Amos fans -- for every 3.7 Little Earthquakes aficionados, there's a die-hard From the Choirgirl Hotel fan. And it's well documented that multiplying the number of people who enjoyed American Doll Posse by the amount of Toriholics who felt that The Beekeeper was uninteresting will result in a blank infinity (subtle nod to both Anathema and Epica, but I digress).
Regardless of the fact that I am one of the rare someones who has found something to enjoy about each Tori Amos release to date, I can say that I remain most partial to the sound of 'early, piano-driven Tori.' Still, it's hard to find someone indifferent about Tori. People either really love her or really don't. Now, figuring out which phase of Tori these admirers typically like best is an entirely different complication, as I mentioned previously -- but the point is that the general love/hate reactions to this artist can be staggering at times.
And, you know, there's a lot for this Tori fan to love about her new release -- her tenth studio album, the seventeen-song-offering Abnormally Attracted to Sin. I would call this album an interesting mix of the sounds of From the Choirgirl Hotel and To Venus and Back. Somehow, the songs here manage to be rather dark at times, heavily incorporating elements of "trip-hop" and ambience. I would also say Tori's vocals are stronger and more emotive here than what we've seen on her last handful of efforts. Abnormally Attracted to Sin is dim, soft and experimental, though not to the point where it boggles and alienates fans' minds.
"Give" is a twisted, calming rush, opening the album in an exotic fashion, a drum machine and low, inviting sounds of the piano working as a fitting backdrop to Tori's dark, slowly drawn out, pensive vocals. And it probably goes unsaid that the trademark Tori Amos unusual pronunciations are all over this album, as indicated most clearly in the breathy warbling of the sensual title track: "Ab-nahma-lay a tree-yuc-tee-id toooo seeyeeuin!"
And it's raining "fla, fla, Flavor" with a slightly clicking, whirring, steady rhythm and Tori's most enchanting singing on all of Sin. "Welcome to England" flows pleasantly enough, but is largely absent of feeling, so it comes off as one of the most straightforward yet forgettable songs on the release. The delicate "Maybe California" has a gentle vulnerability and a breezy melody, and as Tori pauses and quietly wonders aloud, "I don't know when I stopped making him smile," it's a touching moment.
Things aren't always so serious. Rarely does Abnormally Attracted to Sin fail to entertain. Not only does "Police Me" contain the hands-down most bizarre vocalizing of the word "perhaps" I've ever heard, it's an inescapably catchy number and one of the most upbeat, playful, twisted songs on the album. "That Guy" is another charismatic one, deliberately theatrical but almost accidental in its charm, sounding not unlike an old Kate Bush song. And the quick wink of the Broadway-esque "Mary Jane" takes Tori's syllabic creativity to new heights -- I can't help but smile when listening to it.
The good news is that a number of people who have been put off by Tori's most recent outputs may be drawn back into her with Abnormally Attracted to Sin, given that it feels a bit like familiar territory. Just remember not to overanalyze it, as it works its magic in the simplest moments. Many of the songs on this album would not feel at all out of place on classic Tori albums such as From the Choirgirl Hotel and To Venus and Back. The bad news is that, to many others, this album will be too meandering, too long and perhaps not enough of a departure into entirely new territory. Yes, by trimming off a few of the dead ends, Abnormally Attracted to Sin could have been an even better album. But overall, Tori's freshest offering has my seal of approval. The dull moments are few. This is a beautifully textured, moody album full of thick atmosphere and feeling in addition to the wit, sarcasm and blatant honesty that remains a distinct characteristic of all that is Tori Amos.
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