An author with a fertile vein that shows no signs of drying up, Tori Amos releases her eighteenth album. A double album that follows by just over a year the previous The Music of Tori Amos and the Muses which set to music (and took its title from) the children’s book she signed, Tori and the Muses.
Tori Amos: “Ballads on which to scatter notes like brightly coloured flower petals”
Her delicate but firm voice, the meticulously defined sounds, the well-kept setting represent once again a sound universe where every detail. Even the smallest, even the seemingly insignificant, finds its role and takes on its own main value. Ballads on which to scatter notes like brightly coloured flower petals (Provincetown), collected in an intense bouquet with its persuasive and confident timbre.
In times of Dragons was conceived under the sign of urgency
But In times of Dragons was conceived under the sign of urgency, it was born on the impulse of an evident need. Do not abandon yourself to resignation, do not give in to fear. React, each relying on the resources he has. Tori Amos of the gifts that Mother Nature has entrusted to her. Voice, creativity, acumen. Emotions, thoughts to be shared, to be shared so that they become stronger. If we are in danger, if our values are, we must react.
Emotions, thoughts to be shared
The Artist knows this, as such he can anticipate the times, without making any claims. She knows he can count on the strength of her own voice, of her own Creation. This is the direction that these seventeen new pieces take, all of very fine workmanship, where there is not a single moment of indecision, there is no fall in tone (and even less in style). With firm delicacy, you tell us the story of In times of Dragons, the allegory she uses to denounce reality and its evils.
In Times of Dragons is a call to resistance
That/how much we are experiencing. Seventeen short chapters of a story that is a denunciation, a warning, a call to resistance. The short Ode to Minnesota is much more than a further awareness, even a minute and a half are enough to remind us that what happened must not be repeated. We must not allow it. The billionaire Lizard Demon undermines democracy, let’s flee from it. We can’t let ourselves be captured by his henchmen, we won’t give up.
In Times of Dragons: Stronger Together, here is the only possibility
We will meet other people, we will all unite together to be stronger. Stronger Together, here is the only possibility, the last card left to play, proves to be decisive. Stronger Together, what a magnificent song, heartfelt lyric that finally finds the strength to react. A magnificent pop song, with its ups and downs, its emotion, the strings that make it soar in the air finally cleaned of the filth that impregnated it. Supported by the bass and drums (the trusted Jon Evans and Ash Soan) and by the piano, tireless travel companions of the voice, consolatory but never so resolute. The ambient elegy of the final 23 Peaks announces a new era, a new beginning. But let’s not be fooled, Lizard Demon is still going strong.
The lyrics are the essential component of In Times of Dragons
A crystalline talent, Tori Amos completes a work where the lyrics are the essential component of In Times of Dragons. Fundamental for the full understanding of a mature and lyrically complex (and courageous) record. But she does not minimize the sound, equally fundamental. An attentive composer, she knows when to lighten up and when it is time to thicken, to draw attention, even in the course of a single song (the mood changes of the title track).
Tori Amos confirms herself as a complete artist
Tori Amos confirms herself as a complete artist, resorting to her undeniable classical baggage, never assuming that attitude of superiority that many coming from so-called cultured music assume towards pop. Bryan Ferry sentenced that “… there is nothing wrong with being commercial if you do it well…”, if it is to stimulate consciences even more. This is also what Art is for, this is also what the Work of an Artist is for.
Text and music interpenetrate creating a powerful narrative
Resorting to metaphor, Tori Amos represents the real world, the most pervasive current events. Text and music interpenetrate creating a powerful narrative, where the ever-present beauty does not distract, if anything it reinforces the profound meaning of this Work.
“…In times of dragons is a metaphorical story about the fight for Democracy over Tyranny, reflecting the current abhorrent non-accidental burning down of democracy in real time by the ‘Dictator believing Lizard Demons’ in their usurpation of America”.
“Whatever we will face in the future, we make a vow to each other that we’re Stronger Together”.
Tracklist
- Shush
- In Times of Dragons
- Provincetown
- St. Teresa
- Gasoline Girls
- Ode to Minnesota
- Fanny Faudrey
- Veins
- Strawberry Moon
- Song of Sorrow
- Flood
- Pyrite
- Tempest
- Angelshark
- Blue Lotus
- Track 16
- 23 Peaks