From The Choirgirl Hotel [Import]

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Japanese edition of her hit 1998 album with 'Purple People'added as a bonus track. 13 tracks total, also featuring thesmash single 'Spark'. An EastWest/ Atlantic release.

Tracks:

Spark
Cruel
Black-Dove (January)
Raspberry Swirl
Jackie's Strength
i i e e e
Liquid Diamonds
She's Your Cocaine
Northern Lad
Hotel
Playboy Mommy
Pandora's Aquarium

Amazon.com

For Tori Amos, sex can be a weapon, a spiritual offering, or an act of protest; it's certainly been the singer-pianist's big subject since her 1989 debut, Little Earthquakes. But where her earliest compositions tried to punch every emotional hot button at once and came off merely overblown, From The Choirgirl Hotel packs a greater punch by toning down the mock-symphonic excess in favor of stark, haunting tracks that contain their own veiled mysteries. Love cuts both ways on Choirgirl. Songs such as "She's Your Cocaine" and "cruel" view relationships as vicious, sexually-charged power plays, while the protagonists in "playboy mommy" and "Northern Lad" are desperately seeking salvation in the form of some emotional connection. Hypnotic, affecting, and frequently gorgeous, From The Choirgirl Hotel is Amos' most accomplished album to date. --Marc Weingarten

Customer Reviews:

A Work of Staggering Genius .......2007-05-23

This is Tori Amos' greatest album right after "Scarlet's Walk".

Though "Boys for Pele" is far more allegorical and purposely deeper than this album, "Choirgirl" is far more listenable and likely to be one record that pulls in more Tori fans from the mainstream. Part of this records' allure is the fairly simple song-writing (as simple as Tori can get - however, compare this to her weird lyrics on "The Beekeeper" and you'll find that she has become less coherent and comprehensible over the years), as well as the stellar production (certainly the best on an Amos record to date - yes, even better than her remastered "A Piano" collection from 2006).

"From the Choirgirl Hotel" is a decade old now, and it holds up infinitely better than some of Tori's works from this decade ("The Beekeeper" and "Strange Little Girls" being the usual suspects). It's a beautiful record, yes, but also the most melodic - in fact, the melodies here are more stark and obvious than her debut "Little Earthquakes" (which I consider inferior to this - am I in a minority?). Prime example of this is a song here called "Northern Lad" - a track where instrumentation, vocal, rhythm and melody all converge into one glorious package (replicated by her only years later on a track called "A Sorta Fairytale"). Its not an obvious choice for "best track of the album" but its pretty close.

The singles released from the album are generally wonderful - "Spark" which supposedly speaks of a miscarriage is a beautiful song both with and without its' message, and "Raspberry Swirl" is the first time Tori did electronica (this record in patches sounds more DJ Tiesto/Tricky than you'd expect) and it works. However, my favorites are the ones that are standard `album' tracks, often overlooked. Here are the best of the lot:

1. "Black Dove" - Any casual listener will find themselves fascinated by this quirky song. It has a very definite verse and chorus, but the message is not immediately clear. However, the line "And I have to get to Texas!" holds multiple meanings for various followers of Amos - I have my own interpretation of this. This song just works, don't ask me why.

2. "IIeee" - The unpronounceable song title aside, this is the best track, musically, off the album. Based on Native American chanting, Tori marries it to a thumping club bassline and the result is sheer magic.

3. "She's Your Cocaine" - This seems like something the Velvet Underground would have released - its that acidic and groundbreaking.

4. "Pandora's Aquarium" - Famous for the line "Ripples come and Ripples go, and Ripple back to me", this is the most undecipherable song on the album. As an album closer, its long (though not as long as "Yes, Anastasia" from "Under the Pink") - but I can't quite imagine the album working without this track.

There are so many albums (Tori Amos albums included) that don't work because of their length. Prime example of this would be "The Beekeeper" which is the only Tori album I have tried to love (so many times, in so many ways) - but that just didn't work because it was a weak album any way you cut it. "Choirgirl" on the other hand is a short and succinct album, one that you can put on repeat and find new ways to love everytime you play it.

This is one album where there is no filler or weak track, nor is there any sense of desperation or pretentiousness. Coming as it did after her masterwork "Boys for Pele" it showed us a new side of Tori, and won new legions of fans over. The great part is that even in this day and age, it holds up beautifully, and is a necessary document should you wish to track the progress of alternative music.

Finally, I would like you to understand that Tori Amos is primarily a pianist, not a vocalist, and this works to her advantage on this record. One reviewer got it right when he said that this album reeked of Rachmaninoff and Mahler (I would add Dvorak and Mozart to that list) because it bases its tunes and meter on classical symphonies, and adds rock instruments and the piano in a layered effect to create something totally new and different.

Take a chance on this album, and discover a whole new genre of music to embrace. In her vast catalog, this remains a most unique animal.

Five Stars. Recommended for listeners of all types of music.

"You'll Never Gain Weight From A Doughnut Hole".......2007-05-17

Interestingly, in her first book, Tori Amos: Piece By Piece (2005), Amos admitted that her songwriting at the time of From The Choirgirl Hotel (1998) was not at its strongest.

The truth is that From The Choirgirl Hotel represented a radical shift in both Amos' songwriting and musical output. The primary focus of her first three albums, Little Earthquakes (1992), Under The Pink (1994), and Boys For Pele (1996) had been Amos herself. Deeply intimate, brazen, visceral, direct, and often unique in their simultaneously illuminating and bleak visions, the albums quickly attracted a rabid fan base that seemed to sense that, on songs like 'Cornflake Girl,' 'Past The Mission,' 'Bells For Her,' 'Blood Roses,' and 'Father Lucifer,' they were coming into contact with aspects of life and human nature rarely if ever acknowledged or expressed anywhere else.

The very important difference on From The Choirgirl Hotel was that Amos had largely subtracted her personal, intimate self from the mix. While the album was written after a painful miscarriage (a direct or indirect theme on several of the tracks, including the only genuinely outstanding composition, 'Playboy Mommy'), Amos had radically distanced her 'self' from her material.

From The Choigirl Hotel, which often sounds forced, is dominated by its music, not its vocals or lyrical content, but ironically, the music is less distinct, less original, and less beautiful than the instrumentation on her earlier works. Many of the songs have little meaning; the ballads are shallow and anemic, the 'rockers' shrill, absurd, and embarrassing.

Whereas the songs on Little Earthquakes, Under The Pink, and Boys For Pele often sound as if they were forged in a cauldron of spontaneity, inspiration, desperation, and reflection, those on From The Choirgirl Hotel sound concocted, manufactured, and assembled piecemeal.

While Amos would intermittently rear her genuine and intimate face on later albums To Venus and Back (1999) and Scarlet's Walk (2002), 2004's The Beekeeper would find Amos releasing almost an entire album of musical pastiches, an ongoing trend which also hobbles much of American Doll Posse (2007). After Boys For Pele, Amos began replacing emotional immediacy and honesty with politics, opinions, and awkwardly executed 'concepts.'

Amos would also begin perversely leave her most vital compositions off her albums. From The Choirgirl Hotel would have been vastly improved by the inclusion of the miraculous 'Cooling,' the wise, melancholy, and lyrically clever 'Purple People,' and the rousing 'Bachlorette,' all of which found meager existences as b-sides. In the years to follow, Amos would continue to deflect a number of her finest songs from public scrutiny, including 'Indian Summer,' 'Apollo's Frock,' 'Tombigbee,' 'Garlands,' 'Peeping Tommi,' and 'Dolphin Song.'

For some listeners, anything that Amos produces is satisfactory; others hugely prefer--and miss--the intimate, emotionally open-minded creative genius of the early period. From The Choirgirl Hotel was the pivotal crossroads at which Amos started producing more doughnut holes than doughnuts.

queue the choir..........2007-04-08

I found this album a great way to get back into the swing of listening to Tori. It had been years since I'd bought one of her albums, and so I decided to pick up the action here, where I'd left off. I enjoyed many of the tracks, though the album is an experience to be had in totality, as with her other albums. I expect I'll be picking up another Tori album in the coming year.

Great Tori!.......2007-03-03

I love Tori Amos, even though sometimes she misses. This was a definate hit. Favorite Songs: Spart, Black Dove (January), Playboy Mommy, Jackie's Strength. Anytime you like this many songs on an album... you know it's a keeper.

If only I could be a Choir Girl... .......2007-01-09

This album is a must have for any Tori fan. My personal favorite is Liquid Diamons, and Pandora is a dear friend of mine.

Jason McCarley
Salt Lake City, Utah

Average customer rating:

A superb album with an extra little goody.
Mmmmm...Creamy
From the Choirgirl Hotel
Little Earthquakes? WHAT!?
another "must-have" from Tori

From The Choirgirl Hotel
Tori Amos
Manufacturer: Wea International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Pop | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000I3JC
Release Date: 2000-01-25

Tracks:

Spark
Cruel
Black-Dove (January)
Raspberry Swirl
Jackie's Strength
Iieee
Liquid Diamonds
She's Your Cocaine
Northern Lad
Hotel
Playboy Mommy
Pandora's Aquarium
Purple People [*]

Album Description

Japanese edition of her hit 1998 album with 'Purple People'added as a bonus track. 13 tracks total, also featuring thesmash single 'Spark'. An EastWest/ Atlantic release.

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track: Purple People.

Customer Reviews:

A superb album with an extra little goody........2005-01-16

My favorite Tori Amos album to date finds Tori experimenting for the first time with a band. On all her previous efforts, Amos recorded herself and the piano or harpsicord first, and add other musicians' instrumentations later. The album continues to show the songstress challenging herself and her listeners, penning intense songs largely centered around a miscarriage that she suffered; though not all of the songs touch on the subject. The album is completely unforgettable, and these songs will stay with you, even long after you turn the stereo off. Highlights include "Spark," "Raspberry Swirl," "Northern Lad," and "Playboy Mommy." This version also contains the bonus track "Purple People (Christmas in Space)," also available on the "Spark" singles. Though it's a good song in its own right, it doesn't fit with the flow of the album - at least not as the album closer. It does touch on the theme of miscarriage, but it seems just thrown on, as most import bonus tracks do. Nevertheless, it's a nice little added extra.

Mmmmm...Creamy.......2001-05-18

This CD is the singular,most increadibly sexy Tori CD ever!!!Besides that it's one of the best mix of songs I've ever heard on an album.Spark and Cruel are great,Raspberry Swirl is just too cool(and the video reminds me of an exorcism),Black-Dove haunts me,And iieee,well,don't get me started. Tori's first attempt at thechno--A+.

From the Choirgirl Hotel.......1999-12-09

Hello, all. I am a big fan of Tori. I have 4 out of the 5 albums and I plan on getting 2 venus + back Chistmas. From the Choirgirl Hotel is my favorite CD and love 9 out of the 12 songs. My favorite song ever is song on this album. Tori Amos sing a v a r i e t y of styles. I Love her music. I highly, highly recommend getting this CD, or any CD by Tori Amos.

Little Earthquakes? WHAT!?.......1999-10-23

Ok now dont get me wrong, but this is not a Little Earthquakes album. Little Earthquakes was spectactular, but this is DEFINATELY NOT LE..... and it is great...... why are we comparing this album to LE. LE was probably the best, but this and BFP fall closely behind. THIS ALBUM HAS ITS OWN BEAUTY!!!!

Consider this:

Little Earthquakes is a revalation

Under the Pink is poetry

Boys for Pele is a collection of short stories that are all bound with a motive of death

From the Choirgirl Hotel is like a novel, a new begining.. so what if she drifts from that 'girl with the piano'?

If all her albums were like LITTLE EARTHQUAKES, we would complain how boring it is.

I feel that TO VENUS AND BACK is NOT a very good album. It was sort of depressing listening to it the first time, because of the pain i felt. I feel that this is just not her. It dosn't connect to us like the other albums do. THe song DATURA has a nice melody, but all it is is a rattling of senseless flower names... and it drags on with a drum rhythm for 8 minutes!

another "must-have" from Tori.......1999-09-21

as usual, I can find no fault with this Tori Amos cd. she is just awesome, and while none of her albums can compare to another, they are all fab!!

Music: