General Joy

The artist who made the piano rock and roll is back. After releasing a greatest hits collection of reconstructed ubiquitous feminine anthems such as “Precious Things” and “Jackie’s Strength,” Tori Amos returns to full-lengthers with The Beekeeper.
Although her absence wasn’t a long one, Amos regains her position as a prolific songwriter by delivering nineteen tracks on this release.
In the fashion of its travelogue predecessor Scarlet’s Walk, The Beekeeper crams in more material than needed at times. While Amos’s musical flow never falters, the incessant wailing does not stray too far away from Scarlet’s Walk.
The Beekeeper starts off strong with the shiny “Parasol” and then grooves with “Sweet The Sting.” The lead single also offers first-listen refuge with its half radio-friendly presence, much like “A Sorta Fairytale.”
However, it does not take a while for Amos to rove into hyperbolic stupor with her collaboration with now it-boy Damien Rice on “The Power Of Orange Knickers,” where Amos slips on a pair to dissect the definition of a terrorist. Only Amos can get away with that artistic lunacy without sounding eerie for the sake of. Later Amos attempts being, get this, a car in an endeavor to understand a struggle in a relationship on “Cars And Guitars.”
Then Amos delves into Daphne Du Maurier's classic novel on “Jamaica Inn.”
Further down come the tracks that could have been b-sides yet are used as fillers on the recent records. “Barons Of Suburbia” ends with wails, while “Mother Revolution” has a strong message with a bushed sound.
Romanticism takes affect with “Ribbons Undone” – a track with references to her daughter. “Original Sinsuality” investigates piety and redefinition.
Lazing in her new Cornwell, England residence, Amos boasts on “Ireland” about driving there in her Saab. Did anyone inform Amos that Ireland is part of an island?
There are some tracks that break that continuity evident lately on Amos’s records. “Hoochie Woman,” examines infidelity with a reggae tint. Also, “Marys Of The Sea” has a mild operatic feel.
The Beekeeper is somewhat of a Scarlet’s Walk part two. Not that that is a bad thing, its just redundant for an artist known for her innovation. Although Amos’s piano melodies never lose their solemn grandeur, this release is recommended to the fans only.

Music: Sweet The Sting - Tori Amos