The first point to make is that while this album is supposed to be a scaled-back effort in comparison to a couple of high concept albums in the past, I did not listen to those albums- so I won't be making any comparisons. The 2nd item of note is that this album is 70 minutes long! Note to recording artists: Just because science gives us that much room, it doesn't mean we're supposed to take it. i.e., save the double album, none of Led Zeppelin's studio output cracks the 45 minute mark. I know that this is going to be key to my enjoyment level before I even get started...It kicks off well though, with an understated dirge trip-hop thing called "Give", a style which is echoed on "Police Me" and a couple of others. Unfortunately, I was not able to take in all of the "visuallettes" that are supposedly included in the album release. Only a handful are posted to youtube, which shows that Tori is apparently channeling Björk.
There seems to be a common theme here though about mankind's relationship with God and how the repairs by womankind are needed. "You must pick a side / Who's God is God? They all want jurisdiction" and "Boy, I can save you from that evil faith."
"Not Dying Today" may be the most organic Dave Matthews-like track on the album, which sounds weird but it still fits. Also organic, and not un-fitting on a Fiona Apple record, would be "That Guy", which is among the best of this collection. Here, Tori lets some strings guide you along her decision-making fork-in-the-road about - you guessed it - THAT guy. The one who can love like no other when he wants to, but still brings his wars home.
Unfortunately, the inclusion of a song called, "Mary Jane" is not a Rick James cover, which would have been PHat, but a song about her teenage son getting stoned(?) I don't know. She's hot in this video, though.
And here's something that almost never happens... After listening to 16 so-so tracks and writing the album off, something amazing happens in that last song. "Lady In Blue" is indeed the straight-up bluesiest thing that Tori has ever recorded. It's like a Prince b-side, with an ending reminiscent of The Beatles, "I Want You (She's So Heavy)". Included below is a performance sans jam band. Lyrically, Tori kind of turns the tables on her anti-manness of it all, telling the story of someone who "wronged the right man." I take comfort in the otherwise accusa-Tori (see that? I punned her name...) taking responsibility for some destructive activity. Even if she's not apologizing for it. She's not. It's more of a matter of fact about face. "Boys play well into midnight/Can I join you?" Looks like yes, Tori, you still can. (3/5 stars)
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