Post your REVIEW of ADP here!

[sweetsangria]

I know some of you like to write reviews, so I thought it might be cool to start a thread to post reviews of American Doll Posse. If you've posted a review elsewhere, please feel free to copy and paste it here. I'm sure we'd all like to read it. The review can be as general or as detailed as you'd like.

[Chels]

YAY so... this is from my Livejournal... it's kinda free-association from my first listen.

Yo George: well it's a nice start to the cd and funny in a political way... definitely a light and fun way to start the album.

Big Wheel: Single I actually like this song more than I thought I would... I love the use of MILF cause if there ever was one it's Tori. I also love how Tori can make her piano sound so like a guitar at times... it's even more percussive than the guitar on the song in my opinion... Also I love Tori and her get off the cross, we need the wood... I smiled when I heard that the first time.

Bouncing Off Clouds: so pretty... I think it's very TVAB... Concertinaesque... it's so beautiful and it makes me cry every time kinda like Cooling... I want to hear this one live... the air in the room will be astoundingly powerful... also the pleading "we could make this easy" will be awesome and ad libbed live I just know it...

Teenage Hustling: Great song... need I say more? ah but I shall... so hard rock and so sexy beyond that...

Digital Ghost: I love the way the electric guitar kinda sneaks into this one. I also like the idea the lyrics express... the idea of someone fading into someone else. I know the feeling pretty well right now.

You Can Bring Your Dog: This song made me realize I was gonna like Santa more than I thought... really an empowering song. Reminds me a tad of Hoochie Woman.

Mr. Bad Man: The music is comical in unison with the lyrics of the song. Irony is Isabel's strong suit

Fat Slut: Reminds me of my household grrrr

Girl Disappearing: Very Under The Pink to me becuase of all the strings. It's very sad but powerful. Makes me think of Lit. class because of the city imagery.

Secret Spell: Perfect to empower me right now. It's where I am in life right now. I love Santa again I think this song is more complex than it's given credit for... musically and lyrically.

Devils and Gods: awesome guitar/string instrument... too brief

Body and Soul: So very Icicle made hardcore... I love her religious songs... they make me happy the piano's so awesomely jazzy too.

Father's Son: Wow so seriously dark... I feel like this is going to be the turning point of the cd to a much darker place...

Programmable Soda: I've heard this one... it makes me laugh... I love Santa... oh the genital panic

Code Red: wow... I was right about the turn... this is such a dark and sexy and sad song. Those things don't go together but it works. I love the dark guitar riffs that are always at the right time... they're like a siren.

Roosterspur Bridge: This was my guilty pleasure pre-download... just the refrain made me cry. I had it memorized before the cd came out. It's another Clyde... I still love her best It's placed just right on the cd. I love the bridge the best.

Beauty of Speed: TVAB like again... so pretty and I love its beat. It also made me cry. Clyde is my favorite... becuase she can make me cry

Almost Rosey: fun lyrics and I love the message of this and the guitar makes it seem so epic.

Velvet Revolution: I love the Russian-ness of this song... it's actually a pretty creepy song lyrically. the perfect intro to Dark Side of the Sun.

Dark Side of the Sun: Very good... very political but the guitar adds an immediacy to the music. It's a very perceptive song.

Posse Bonus: fun which is good after the more serious side of the cd... it's Tori silliness which is one of my favorite things.

Smokey Joe: wow... so very creepy... did anyone wonder if it means Clyde is Pip's sister becuase she mentions Clitorides...?

Dragon: I was in love with the 30 seconds of this I heard before and now I love the song in full even more. It's so sweet. I like the flute in the background or whatever it is.

I still love Clyde the best but Santa is a close second because she's so empowering. Third's Pip because she kicks ass and isn't afraid to be sexy. Then Tori... mostly because of Code Red and Digital Ghost... then Isabel because although I love her she's very political which isn't one of my things but Almost Rosey is really one of my favorites because I feel that way so often.

[P a t r i c k]

Okay, I guess I'll review the album track by track. It just seems easier that way. I'm also going to refrain from talking about the characters, but honestly I don't really have any interest in the gimmick of the album, just the music.

Yo, George - Honestly, not as good as I was hoping it to be. Looking back at previous works, the lyrics of this song seem to be a little juvenile.

Big Wheel - I hated this song when I first listened to it, but it's growing on me a little bit. I love the drums in this song.

Bouncing off Clouds - I know a lot of people love this song, but it's probably my least favorite off the album. The arrangements seem dull, and I can't really connect with the lyrics either.

Teenage Hustling - I was really excited to hear this upon the first listen, reminds of She's Your Cocaine, but with more of a pop vibe to it. Not a favorite of mine, but still good.

Digital Ghost - I really don't have an opinion on this track, it's simply okay. Not bad, not great.

You Can Bring Your Dog - I like the fact that Tori is having fun in this one, but I would rather see this as a b-side than on the album.

Mr. Bad Man - This song bothers the hell out of me. It's my least favorite track off the album for sure. He's a baaayayad man.

Fat Slut - This track is somewhat senseless, it seems like Tori was just playing around with this one.

Secret Spell - I love the pause towards the end of the song, I would rather hear this one on the radio instead of Big Wheel.

Devils and Gods - I love this track, and I wish it was a little bit longer.

Body and Soul - I love this song! Well written, angsty, and rockin'.

Father's Son - Another well written track, love it.

Programmable Soda - Not sure if this belongs on the album, but it's silly in a good way. Reminds me of Toodles Mr. Jim.

Code Red - Another stand-out track from the album, I love the background vocals.

Roosterspur Bridge - I like this one too, a little poppy, but still good.

Beauty of Speed - It starts out good, but falls flat somewhere along on the line.

Almost Rosey - This song is cheesy, but it's really not that bad. Just another Tori track that I'll forget about in another year.

Velvet Revolution - I love the lyrics, but the arrangements make me cringe a little. However, I still think this song fits perfectly with the album.

Dark Side of the Sun - I like it! I'm still not crazy about overly political songs, but this one keeps growing on me.

Posse Bonus - This song shouldn't have been on the album.

Smokey Joe - I love this one, probably one of the best tracks on the CD.

Dragon - I love this song, the arrangements and lyrics are beautiful.

I wasn't trying to sound harsh, but when I am reviewing an album I want to give an opinion that is unbiased. I'm going going to rave about each track just because it's "Tori".

Oh, and just for fun, I'm gonna play God for a minute. Here's what I would of liked to see on the album.

1. Devils and Gods
2. Body and Soul
3. Velvet Revolution
4. Code Red
5. Teenage Hustling
6. Secret Spell
7. Yo, George
8. Dark Side of the Sun
9. Smokey Joe
10. Big Wheel
11. Roosterspur Bridge
12. Dragon

[orfeo]

My spotlighted Amazon review (standard edition). Five stars. So far, 45 out of 68 people think I'm helpful...

A simple glance at the tracklisting for American Doll Posse is likely to have most people instinctively wishing that Tori Amos would edit herself a little. For the third time in succession she's pushing the capacity of the CD close to its limits.

Maybe that's partly because, in an age where the commercial single has all but died in most parts of the world, Amos no longer has b-sides as an outlet for the overflow of songs that seems to result most times she goes to the studio. But it would be a mistake to simply assume that ADP is a shorter album buried amongst b-sides. All successful musicians have to shape their impulses to fit what the market requires of them - Bach didn't write hundreds of cantatas just because he liked writing cantatas, but because he was paid to write church music. When he had an employer who loved instrumental music, that's what he wrote.

So, the market no longer wants b-sides and the personal mp3 playlist is king. Amos' response has been to create bigger albums. Do they work? Well, obviously it's partly a matter of opinion. But there tends to be an agreement among fans that the long, continuous thread of Scarlet's Walk worked somewhat better than the scattershot sweetness of The Beekeeper.

What about American Doll Posse? Is it a sprawling mess of an album? Arguably yes, although any sense of excess is helped by regarding it as a 20-track album, with 3 bonus tracks that just happen to be riding on the same physical disc. But it's a GLORIOUS, exhilarating mess.

The album starts deceptively with Yo George which, while lyrically pointed, is musically very reserved and almost polite. It gives no hint of the sudden burst of energy that unleashes Big Wheel, Bouncing Off Clouds and (after briefly lulling the listener into a false sense of security) the aggressive Teenage Hustling. Amos hasn't sounded this animated for close to a decade.

After that the tempo settles down a bit, but the energy level stays high. Part of that is because she sounds like she's having FUN. She clearly relishes throwing herself into forceful numbers like Teenage Hustling and Body and Soul, or the blatant swagger of You Can Bring Your Dog. There's plenty of humour in that track, Big Wheel and Mr. Bad Man, if only you're willing to hear it. This isn't the coolly analytical Amos that brought us the Strange Little Girls cover album. More than ever before, this is Amos the entertainer, urging us to get caught up in the moment.

There are moments of seriousness and repose as well, such as Father's Son and Girl Disappearing, the latter featuring a beautiful string quartet accompaniment. And Amos has included a fair number of lyrics referring to wars and bombs, especially in the songs that are credited to `Isabel'.

Ah yes, the concept. It seems that no Tori Amos album is allowed to go without one these days. In this case, it's best to regard it as a `take it or leave it' deal. If it helps you, use it, and if it doesn't then it can be quite safely put to one side. Amos has confessed in at least one interview that this time around, the songs came first. Really, the concept of five different singers is best regarded as a kind of acknowledgment that ADP covers a number of diverse styles, and a guide through the maze. And there does seem to be a degree of legitimacy in Amos' decision to demarcate the different approaches. For instance, there's a noticeable contrast between the dark aggressive singing of `Pip' and the higher-pitched, slightly pained emotionalism of `Clyde'. As different members of the posse enter and leave the stage, the album sometimes changes tack quite dramatically.

It's the sheer diversity of ADP that's likely to make it a hit-and-miss affair for a lot of listeners. Some people know what they like, style-wise, and what they DON'T like, and never the twain shall meet. You can lead a horse to water, so to speak.

But if you're the kind of person who enjoys a sense of restless exploration; if part of why you're even interested in a Tori Amos album is because she's refused to stick with the `girl and a piano' label she was so unfairly slapped with by lazy journalists and fans; if you can cope with jumbled yet inspired kaleidoscopes that hearken back to the Beatles' White Album, then American Doll Posse is going to give you quite a ride.

[P a t r i c k]

I enjoyed reading your review, orfeo!

[Koalapupu]

Pat: my thoughts exactly on Yo George!

This is my review of it, posted in my Livejournal. Scroll up a bit to see my overview of the album.

I had not read any other reviews before it, so it's pretty much uncensored thinking, heh. Now I'm off to read what others have thought of the album!

[veela]

LOL, Jenni -- i just read your review and i totally thought "fat slut" was that R.E.M. song too!!!! i couldn't think of the name of it but every time it starts, i'm thinking, "oh, it's R.E.M." hahaha.

i'll have to post a little review later...

[veela]

here's my song-by-song review of sorts...

Yo, George - eh. i was really hoping for a lyrical punch in the face to mr. prez on this one but was pretty let down. it's actually really tame. kind of disappointing but not actually *bad* for a 1-minute song.

Big Wheel - at first, really unimpressed. i find the "MILF" bit sort of cheesy. i tended to skip it a lot at first. then i listened one day and heard the line "get off the cross, we need the wood", which is such a typically-what-i-love-about-tori kind of line. so then i listened to the song a few more times from a new perspective and my opinion of it definitely turned. it's still not a favorite but it is a good song to listen to when in the mood to say "i'm sick of your shit!" it's really growing on me...

Bouncing off Clouds - i like this one. you know when you're going through something and just feeling like "why is this so difficult? it doesn't have to be this way"? that's what this song is to me. it's a more optimistic song than tori usually does and i guess i kind of like that. i can't help but also tie it into former cloud references - "cloud on my tongue" and "your cloud". even though they are all very different songs, the symbolism for me connects them all in some way.

Teenage Hustling - i'm another that's sort of reminded of "she's your cocaine" with this one though it doesn't *quite* do it as much for me. it's kind of fun and a bit in-your-face, which i love but it's also more repetitive than i would like. remove a chorus or two and throw a couple more in-your-face verses in there and i would be in love.

Digital Ghost - one of my favorites. i feel like it's just typical, musically and lyrically beautiful tori. also, i feel that in my way i can relate it to some things in my life right now which always makes a song stand out for me. i'll have to post my interpretation of it on the "decipher your message" thread.

You Can Bring Your Dog - this one is kind of fun but other than that, does little for me. i do like the bluesy feel to it and it makes me want to dance in my car. however, it's not one i think i'll ever crave hearing nor do i think i'll find myself relating to it. although, stranger things toriwise have happened...

Mr. Bad Man - i didn't like this one at first but it's grown on me. while i'm still not crazy about the "he's a bad, bad man" part, there's something catchy about it.

Fat Slut - like Jenni, it makes me think of the R.E.M. song "let me in." and honestly, I'd prefer the R.E.M. one here. i like the anger but it's still kind of "eh" for me.

Secret Spell - at first i thought this one was a bit too poppy and cheesy for my taste. i did think it was catchy though, which it definitely is. then i read the lyrics, which are really kind of sad. so the juxtaposition there is interesting. i have come to like it but i don't listen to it every time i put the album on. i have to be willing to let it get stuck in my head first because it definitely does that!!

Devils and Gods - i love the music on this one. it's a nice little intro to "body and soul" but i am another that would have liked to see a little more with this.

Body and Soul - i like it. another that makes me dance in my car. but totally different vibe than the other that does that!! tori has always been great when she pulls in the religious metaphors and this one is really no different.

Father's Son - for some reason, i just cannot get into this one. i tend to skip it so haven't really given it a fair chance. also, i'm lately in the mood for the songs with faster beats so that doesn't help. i'm sure i'll come around but as of now it just moves too slowly for me. i do like the lyrics though.

Programmable Soda - i think this one is cute and kind of fun but at the same time, it sort of bothers me! i think it would help if i could understand the metaphor here a little better. soda? cola, vanilla and cherry?? maybe one day they'll make sense to me in their way... i do love the line "won't let that throw me into a genital panic" though.

Code Red - this is definitely a favorite. it was really the first that just reached out, grabbed me and pulled me in. i can't really get enough of it. vocals, music, it is all good. love it.

Roosterspur Bridge - i like it, but have to be in the mood for it. again, i'm not into the slower ones at the moment (just my mood lately) but i do think it's good and i'm sure i'll fall in love with it later.

Beauty of Speed - this is one that didn't grab me at first but now i love. i like the music, the lyrics, and especially when it goes into "i'm coming back for more..." something about the change there really gets me...

Almost Rosey - absolutely love it. another favorite. at first, i thought it was a bit cheesy. then i listened more and it's another with a really cool juxtaposition. the music and the idea of things being "almost fine, almost rosey" and the verses that go completely against that. i think it's more about how when people pretend things are fine they can almost feel fine but she's saying WAIT! just because you have your rose-colored glasses on, it doesn't make all the rest of this go away. it's become an "i'm having a bad day song" for me. especially when it gets to the end with "when is enough enough???" and i just scream it and begin to feel almost fine... almost rosey... hahaha (okay, i'm the cheesy one)

Velvet Revolution - my first impression of this song was "eerily cute" and that's still kind of how i feel about it. i'm lukewarm on it.

Dark Side of the Sun - i like this one. it's political but in a way that touches at the very personal side of the matter and that's something i can get into.

Posse Bonus - cute but cheesy.

Smokey Joe - i've only heard this one a few times (i don't yet have the full cd. shame, shame on me) but i really liked it. will have more to say about it later.

Dragon - same as above (not on my cd) but the few times i heard it, definitely loved it.

[Koalapupu]

Now I've read you guys' reviews and just wanted to say a few words.

Chelsea: I also thought that if anyone is MILF, here she is. ;D I like it how we have a kind of a different view of some of the songs--it makes me want to go back and listen to them again with your ears. I think that's what's best about hearing others' opinions on Tori's stuff. New doors open.

Pat: Yay for a "harsh" view. I think that with an artist who has had such a long career it is impossible to love every single thing she has done, especially as her catalogue features such different things. I love her with her faults and all, which means I do accept that I can't like everything she does. I actually agree with a lot of what you say about the songs.

Trevor: I never thought of that B-side issue but now that you mention it, it makes sense! Maybe the CD is a bit bloated. I think "Posse Bonus" is pretty useless. I mean, it's fun, but... the package could have been so much tighter. Am I reading correctly between the lines that you are not very enamoured by the concept of the album? I have had mixed feelings (if you read my review, you'll know), and to tell you the truth if I did not know of the different personalities, I would not be able to assign songs to the characters. At least after the first few listens. However, what I now think would be interesting would be to go back through Tori's other albums and see which songs would clearly fit the different members of the Posse. ;D Great, insightful review.

Jess: Code Red is really growing on me, too. The darkness of the lyrics and then the tunes... Man. It goes straight to my heart. I really like your interpretations of the songs--sometimes so different than what I have thought of them. Goes to show that we bring so much of ourselves to the songs when we listen to them that there cannot be two same experiences, ever. Again, something I really love about Tori's music.

[orfeo]

koalapupu said:

Trevor: I never thought of that B-side issue but now that you mention it, it makes sense! Maybe the CD is a bit bloated. I think "Posse Bonus" is pretty useless. I mean, it's fun, but... the package could have been so much tighter. Am I reading correctly between the lines that you are not very enamoured by the concept of the album? I have had mixed feelings (if you read my review, you'll know), and to tell you the truth if I did not know of the different personalities, I would not be able to assign songs to the characters. At least after the first few listens. However, what I now think would be interesting would be to go back through Tori's other albums and see which songs would clearly fit the different members of the Posse. ;D Great, insightful review.

I'm actually quite happy with the basic concept this time around, because it's such a LOOSE concept. It doesn't say anything about the subject matter of the songs. And personally I can clearly understand why about 3/4 of the songs belong to the girl that they do.

About the only part I don't like is the 'TerraTORIes' , 'CliTORIdes' etc.

I am certainly much, much happier than I was with the concept for The Beekeeper. Why she couldn't just say the title track was about her mother, Ribbons Undone was about her daughter and Toast was about her brother is beyond me. It all had to be tied in to some guff about bee shamans.

[Ben]

hey melbourne fella!
where in melbourne are you mate? I live in croydon.

[Ben]

croydon isnt bad. theres a bit of scum, and a bit of bullshit going on from time to time. nothing major though, I always feel safe.

how about frankston?