Tori Amos - The Beekeeper
List Price:
Our Price: $3.83
You Save: $5.16 (57%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.59 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Artist: Tori AmosEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2005-02-22
Music Label: Sony
Soundtracks:
- Parasol
- Sweet the Sting
- The Power of Orange Knickers- Featuring Damien Rice
- Jamaica Inn
- Barons of Suburbia
- Sleeps with Butterflies
- General Joy
- Mother Revolution
- Ribbons Undone
- Cars and Guitars
- Witness
- Original Sinsuality
- Ireland
- The Beekeeper
- Martha's Foolish Ginger
- Hoochie Woman
- Goodbye Pisces
- Marys of the Sea
- Toast Album
Free Music Notes for The Beekeeper
Free Music Review: A Very Natural And Pastoral Album
Hit: 5 Stars
Tori Amos released "The Beekeeper" in February 2005. This was only four months after I bought my first Tori album, but a few weeks before this new album came out I had managed to buy every album Tori has put out to date. I embarked on a frantic buying spree of her albums and realised that she was one of the most amazing female artists I had ever come across. At 19 tracks and almost 80 minutes of music, I knew that taking this album in was going to be a challenge, so I listened to it over and over for about 3 hours every night for the first week it came out, and I grew to love the new, softer Tori sound.
This album has received a lot of criticism from so-called Tori fans, but if they were true fans they would surely realise that Tori has to evolve her musical style over time and keep reinventing herself through the years. As much as I love early-Nineties Tori, I'd be bored to tears if she was still releasing albums to this day that followed the same music as from those days. Besides, Tori has said herself that she can only interpret the song beings that come to her because of the things going on in her life. With "Little Earthquakes" and "Boys For Pele," there was a lot of anger and intense emotion going on. Tori isn't in that place anymore - she has left that stage of her life behind her, and what with little Natashya and her adoring husband, it's no wonder her music has reached this more relaxing sound. It reflects her state of mind. Content. At peace.
Most of Tori's albums have a concept. "From The Choirgirl Hotel" was the miscarriage album, while "Scarlet's Walk" was the road trip album. The Beekeeper is rather obvious in its approach but quite difficult to interpret. Obviously this is a 'garden' themed album, and the 19 tracks are split into six different sections. This is because there are six sides to a honeycomb. These six sections contain the few songs that - thematically - belong to them in terms of meaning and significance. They are "Desert Garden," "Rock Garden," "Roses And Thorns," "The Greenhouse," "The Orchard," and "Elixirs And Herbs."
The album opens with "Parasol." This song introduces the Hammond Organ that Tori successfully masters throughout the entire album, in combination with her beloved piano. This is a soft and beautiful opening song that seethes with rage underneath the constraints of the photograph frame. "Sweet The Sting" is a beautiful song which swings with sass and sexiness, spreading the idea of pollination about. The lyrics are humorous and the song has an edge to it not seen in most of Tori's recent works. "The Power Of Orange Knickers" is one of the album's best songs in my opinion, and features the brilliant Irish singer Damien Rice. This song has a humorous context, but the subtext beneath is much more serious and important. "Jamaica Inn" is a song based on the idea of homewrecking, which Tori was inspired to write by the stories of Daphne du Maurier's "Jamaica Inn" and "Rebecca." Tori was told the tales of Wreckers, who gave the false signal that it was okay for ships to come in. Once the ship hit rocks and was destroyed, the goods inside were stolen and handed out amongst the residents of villages. This song takes this fact and displays it in a human context. "Barons Of Suburbia" is an amazing song with a stunning piano section. The song itself is about takers; people who only care what's in it for them. Tori sings this song with power and gusto, and the final minute is amazing as she wails, "I am piecing a potion, to combat your poison! She is risen! Boys, I said she is risen!"
"Sleeps With Butterflies" was the album's first single, and it's a wonderful piano piece. This is a very dainty and feminine song, as Tori's sweet vocals wrap around the atmospheric Hammond. This song is quite commercial, which Tori has been slated for, but so what? What's the wrong with writing a catchy, radio hit? Nothing! And Tori is not in this business for record sales. "General Joy" is an album highlight in my opinion. I love the way the piano and the Hammond dance in perfect synchronicity, forming the main sound of this song. "Mother Revolution" is not really one of my favourites, because it doesn't seem to go anywhere very interesting. The song is about the Great Mother, and the true definition - at least in Tori's eyes - of what evil really is. "Ribbons Undone" is a brilliant song that a lot of people have described as sickly and too sweet. Yes, this song is a bit cute, but that's all part of its charm. This is a song dedicated entirely to Tori's daughter Natashya, and I love the moment where Tori sings, "From school she comes home and cries 'I don't want to grow up, mum, at least not tonight'."
"Cars And Guitars" is a great song that is one of the more immediate songs on the album. Tori was driving into town when she was inspired for this song, and began to think about a woman who just keeps on driving in a car, forgetting everything in her life that means responsibility. It's just an idea Tori is exploring, and I think it's brilliant. The chorus is loud and very harmonious. "Witness" is more than six minutes long and is one of my favourite songs on the whole album. I love the way the Hammond is used in this song, it's quite brilliant. This song in itself is about betrayal, and how fame and money expose people for what they really are. I love the lyrical arrangements in this song, and the twist in the final few minutes. "Original Sinsuality" is short at just over two minutes, and was the second single taken from the album. It's not one of my favourites on the album, but it's very lyrically important. "Ireland" is probably the worst song on the album, because it reminds me of Atomic Kitten and that is NOT a good thing, trust me, Americans. "The Beekeeper," the album's title track, is almost seven minutes long and is the only electronica-themed song on the album.
"Martha's Foolish Ginger" opens with a very catchy and military-like drum beat, before the piano kicks in and diminishes it. Martha is actually a boat which Tori started writing years ago, but was completed for this album. It's a great song with very impressive vocals from Tori. "Hoochie Woman" is one of the funniest songs that Tori has ever recorded. The subject matter is very simple and straight forward: Tori's man has been cheating on her with a damn hoochie woman! It's also a message to women about how if you're not a natural hoochie woman, you should never try to be! "Goodbye Pisces" is a very beautiful song that talks about the end of the Piscean Age more so than, say, the break-up with a man who is a Pisces. "Marys Of The Sea" is a bit more loud than the rest of the songs on the album, with Tori opening singing "Hey!" I really like the effect this song has on me, it's a very primal feeling which is very natural. The album closes with "Toast," which is a very soft and relaxing song. The piano here is very subdued and tranquil. I like Tori's vocals here and find this a fitting end to a great album.
OVERALL GRADE: 10/10
I can see why a lot of people don't like this album, but I think it takes a bit of effort to really love it. Maybe we'll look back in a decade and say that maybe this wasn't one of Tori's better albums, but for the moment I really enjoy it, and I'm sure this opinion will not diminish anytime in the near future. This album sounds like the soundtrack to a garden to me. It's just very organic and lush. This is thanks mainly to the addition of the Hammond organ, which I think is a delightful touch to Tori's music. It makes this album more interesting than it already is and I hope to see it crop up in future Tori albums. This album made the US Top 5 upon its release, which shows Tori Amos is still a key-player in the world of music. She has a rabid fanbase of which I am very much a part of, and will be for a very long time.
The Beekeeper Poster
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.
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 |
Alternative Rock Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in Alternative Rock Music CDs
Bouncing Souls - Maniacal LaughterRelease date: 1996-01-26; Music CD
Best price: $30.00
Blondie - Parallel LinesRelease date: 1994-07-29; Music CD
Best price: $397.77
Doors - L.A. WomanRelease date: 1993-04-09; Music CD
Best price: $199.99
Amon Duul - Phallus DeiRelease date: 1997-04-08; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Tangerine Dream - MelroseRelease date: 1990-10-02; Music CD
Best price: $74.98
Tangerine Dream - Private Music of Tangerine DreamRelease date: 1992-11-10; Music CD
Best price: $8.00
Price in other shops:
![Ska Explosion [VHS] Image](/images/Ska-Explosion-VHS-6303381014-X.jpg){kind=small}
Ska Explosion [VHS]Cleopatra; Release date: 1995-02-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops:
![Little Earthquakes [VHS] Image](/images/Little-Earthquakes-VHS-6302488664-X.jpg){kind=small}
Little Earthquakes [VHS]Atlantic / Wea; Release date: 1992-11-10; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.00
Price in other shops:
Exileby Geoffrey Oryema
Music CD
Best price: $4.95
![Louder Than Live [VHS] Image](/images/Louder-Than-Live-VHS-6301627865-X.jpg){kind=small}
Soundgarden - Louder Than Live [VHS]A&M Video; Release date: 1991-07-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Top Rated Albums
![Midwinter Graces [CD/DVD Combo] Image](/images/Midwinter-Graces-CD-DVD-Combo-B002QCKOME-X.jpg)
Tori Amos - Midwinter Graces [CD/ DVD Combo]Release date: 2009-11-10; Music CD
Best price: $7.80
Price in other shops:
Tori Amos - Under the PinkAMOS,TORI; Release date: 1994-02-01; Published: 1994; Music CD
Best price: $2.66
Price in other shops:
Tori Amos - From the Choirgirl HotelAMOS,TORI; Release date: 1998-05-05; Published: 2000; Music CD
Best price: $2.96
Price in other shops:
Tori Amos - Abnormally Attracted to SinRelease date: 2009-05-19; Music CD
Best price: $5.92
Price in other shops:
Tori Amos - To Venus & BackAMOS,TORI; Release date: 1999-09-21; Music CD
Best price: $16.79
Price in other shops:
Tori Amos - American Doll PosseBaker & Taylor; Release date: 2007-05-01; Music CD
Best price: $4.49
Price in other shops:
Tori Amos - Little EarthquakesAMOS,TORI; Release date: 1992-02-25; Music CD
Best price: $4.21
Price in other shops:
Tori Amos - Boys for PeleRelease date: 1996-01-23; Music CD
Best price: $3.45
Price in other shops:
Tori Amos - Scarlet's WalkRelease date: 2002-10-29; Music CD
Best price: $2.93
Price in other shops:
Tori Amos - Night of HuntersRelease date: 2011-09-20; Music CD
Best price: $10.68
Price in other shops: