Tori Amos brings politically incorrect gifts to Christmas
It’s been said many times and many ways, but until now “Merry Christmas” was never a choice phrase for Tori Amos. For years, the radical red-haired pianist has found herself commenting harshly on religious matters and even masturbating during Bible lessons (“Icicle”), but for whatever reason Amos has now decided to put her differences with the Church aside and create a whole new twisted n’ sexy version of our favorite Christmas melodies!
Really now, we should have seen this one coming since her previous live covers of “Little Drummer Boy” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” were so well received. But honestly, it’s hard to put two and two together sometimes, even when the artist in question has previously confessed to NME (via Spinner) that the love of her life was, “Jesus. But I got over him when I first saw a picture of Robert Plant.”
If nothing else, this Christmas season will surely be a hoot thanks to Amos’ undoubtedly unique and artistic gift to the world. For now, the currently unnamed and highly skeptical Christmas album is set for release on November 3rd via her new label Universal Republic. Until then, you can catch her on tour, as she supports her latest release, the non-Christmas-specific album, Abnormally Attracted to Sin.
See ya in the check out aisle come November.
Tori Amos 2009 Tour Dates:
07/23 - Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre
07/24 - Grand Prairie, TX @ Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie
07/25 - Austin, TX @ The Long Center for the Performing Arts
07/27 - Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park Amphitheatre
07/28 - Orlando, FL @ Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
07/29 - Miami Beach, FL @ Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason Theater
07/31 - Durham, NC @ Durham Performing Arts Center
08/01 - Washington, DC @ DAR Constitution Hall
08/02 - Chicago, IL @ Chicago Theatre
08/04 - Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theatre
08/05 - Minneapolis, MN @ The State Theatre
08/07 - Indianapolis, IN @ Murat Theatre
08/08 - Detroit, MI @ Detroit Opera House
08/10 - Toronto, ON @ Massey Hall
08/11 - Montreal, QC @ St. Denis Theatre
08/13 - New York, NY @ Radio City Music Hall
08/15 - Upper Darby, PA @ Tower Theatre
08/17 - Boston, MA @ Bank of America Pavilion
I’m not sure what to think about this. Tori’s covers and novelties are always great in isolation — as B-sides or in concert. But I’m not sure if a full album of Christmas songs will work for her. “Little Drummer Boy” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” worked on their own because they felt random, nostalgic and introspective — like the memories of a grownup reflecting on an uncertain childhood. But if Tori releases an album with songs like “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and cover art featuring a photo of her curled sexily beside a fireplace (a Santa cap hanging casually off her head), then I’ll have a tough time seeing the irony.
Sep 20th, 2009 at 10:05 am
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