The Beekeeper

Tori Amos

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 22, 2005)
• Original Release Date: February 22, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00076EPQM
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (338 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,685 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
After Scarlet'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 of Alice In Wonderland, another A Little Shop of Horrors. The Beekeeper chronicles 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 novel Jamaica 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 channeling Chrissie 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 Beekeeper returns the quirky singer to the same whimsical terrain of 1992's Little Earthquakes, but with much stronger storylines, and a much more assured and nuanced voice. Her best yet. --Jaan Uhelszki

Recommended Tori-phernalia

Tori Amos: Piece by Piece	Tori Amos - Welcome to Sunny Florida	Little Earthquakes
Under the Pink	Tales of a Librarian	Scarlet's Walk

Product Description
The limited edition package with a bonus DVD - footage includes a candid conversation with Tori Amos talking about the inspiration and theme for The Beekeeper and the bonus track "Garlands".

The limited edition package groups the 19 songs into 6 different gardens- Roses and Thorns, Herbs and Elixers, The Desert Garden, The Greenhouse, The Orchard and The Rock Garden. To complement this garden theme the package includes a "Beekeeper" mix of flower and plant seeds. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

93 of 117 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Caught by The Beekeeper--and that's fine!, February 22, 2005

By	Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

Tori Amos has again released yet another CD that has beautiful depth, meaning, heart and soul. Although certainly everyone will have their preferences as to which songs they really like on this nineteen (yes, nineteen) track album, there is no doubt that she is progressing both in her vocal abilities as well as her ability of expression. Obviously, her voice was always something special; but what excites me is that she is still progressing and I love to see that in an artist. More proof she's progressing: a Hammond B3 organ has been added into the musical arrangement! Also look for Kelsey Dobyns on background vocals.

Do I have a favorite song on this CD? Actually, I have more than one favorite. I just couldn't set aside only one song as "the" best in my opinion. For one thing, I really liked "Hoochie Woman," Here Tori perfectly captures the personality she sings about and the arrangement is very, very good! "Goodbye Pisces" is an awesome song about the feelings you can have when ending a romance. Tori also does a duet with Damien Rice entitled "The Power of Orange Knickers;" while certainly this is an unusual song title (!) their voices compliment each others' perfectly and it sounds beautiful. "Parasol" is deep with anger yet so typical of the person who's conflicted about letting out the anger. "Sweet the Sting" is sexy but I personally thought she sang it somewhat romantically, so for me personally the song works on more than one level. Finally, the CD concludes with "Toast," a song sprung out of her brother's recent death. Not only does Tori deal with her pain by writing about it she bravely shares her pain with her audience. Anybody who has ever lost a loved one (and that's almost everyone) can identify with this hurt.

All in all, this latest CD by Tori is not only based on her real life experiences and our universal experiences but it is a deeply touching and emotional journey. This proves that Tori is an incredibly accomplished artist. (As if we didn't know that before, right?) The prospect of her continuing to develop is even more exciting. This CD is a must for Tori's fans; and if you're not a fan you should do yourself a favor and try this album out for a very good experience. Even if it doesn't hit you square in the face the first time, give it a chance and you won't have to argue with anyone about listening to it over and over again.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars On this album, Tori's incandescent spell just fades away. , November 12, 2005

By	Maverick "Maverick" (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

Maverick = a massive Tori fan; Tori = my no. 1.

I was really looking forward to this album, and I read a few "professional" reviews which suggested that this is Tori returning "back to her roots". I understand artists can't really return back to their roots because obviously they are not the same person as before. I love Tori [full stop]. But this record doesn't really do it for me. One reviewer said she should stop making 'conceptual' records and stop her kooky lyricism. I agree with the latter, her lyricism is indeed individualistic, but these days it does get a bit kooky and indecipherable; though I do remember in "Space Dog" off "Under the Pink" I never knew what she was talking about, yet I managed to feel the emotions it was deliberating. It seems on this CD she doesn't sing with that passion or fire, but instead a dull sort of tone, and sometimes, her voice - though unique and indeed a singer, does get 'annoying' -throaty and dry.

"Parasol" does start off the album in a promising manner, but when she gets to "Barons of Suburbia" -an intriguing title - but indecipherable content; I don't know what she's talking about. I do like her 'conceptual' albums and her concepts, but that is only half of a composition, it's the ability to use that concept and put it into practice. With "Barons of Suburbia" -she accoridng to an interview, seemingly discusses early Christian patriarchal politics with a modern-day Bush-reigning govt; yet the message nor the emotions do not come through. Tori has always been a feminist, I like that, I find it inspiring and quite a turn on. I was very excited by the concept of "The Beekeeper" yet I am perplexed, and I have been a Tori fan for quite awhile, and am also a poet myself. [not a dolly poet]!

The songs are less complicated as that of "To Venus and Back". Yet with that album, more importantly, she used her music/lyrics to produce atmosphere which is lacking on this record. This record almost seems to be very weary. Maybe Tori should take a big break - like Kate Bush - and make another 'debut' album.

If this was your first taste of Tori, I feel sorry for you. This is a hard album to consume. I suggest you go to her back catalogue. "Tales of a Librarian" or any album from "Little Earthquakes", "Under the Pink", "Boys for Pele" and "choirgirl". Those are Tori at her most passionate.

However, I still love Tori and find much inspiration from her. And I understand clearly that artists grow, and I will accept her new work, and judge it accordingly and fairly. And still support her. I wish the other previous Tori fanatics could understand you must support an artist. I know that one day that she will soar with another sort of 'debut'. If not, don't worry, who gives a **** it was good anyway. I LOVE YOU TORI. gIVE THIS album a try if ur a tori fan.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, July 30, 2005

By	Lorah Harris (Montreal, Quebec) - See all my reviews

I'm really only writing this review as response to the other reviews I've just seen here. I'm beginning to wonder if we were listening to the same album.

While Tori Amos is absolutely my favorite artist, her creativity has taken a nosedive in recent years. This album is by far her most boring, inconsequential, uncreative piece of work I have ever heard from her. This is the kind of thing that you could put on in the background and not even realize it was playing- just tune it out completely.

While this album may sit well with suburban mothers trying to be alternative, the rest of us long for the days where not only did Tori eat like a normal human being, she also made passionate, disarming, honest, not to mention absolutely beautiful music.