Tori Amos "Night of the Hunters" (Deutsche Grammophon) Released September 20, 2011

Amos has never shied from subject matter (religion, rape, sexuality to name a few), nor has she needed to ride costume and/or cliché to garner attention that might, for others, expose a lack of true purpose. While she has most certainly celebrated artistic license by spreading wings and exploring new personalities/perspective on albums both brilliant and, sometimes, leaving something to be desired, she has remained true to vision and voice with tales presented in her early catalog via piano and voice.

Making it a family affair Amos is joined on a number of songs by two relatives, niece Kelsey Dobyns and her daughter, Natashya Hawley. Upon first listen Hawley instantly conjures the soulful voices of jazz/blues ghosts of past. One can almost hear a needle dropped on vinyl as she sings. This young lady is blessed with a smoky, soulful and bold voice far beyond her pre-teen years; and if this is any indication, there are great things to come from her.

“Night of Hunters” doesn’t simply return Tori Amos to delivering a brilliant, complete album; it takes the listener on an emotional ride. Based in a classical theme with “Night of Hunters” Amos has created a rich visual world of song and structure, characters introduced, who become at once familiar because they exist in every one of us who have walked this particular path of remembrance. Each song is filled with shades of love, love lost, want, fear, return, escape, reflection and possible renewal. That journey each one of us has taken to find and understand, explain or accept. Amos’ world describes meetings with the “mythical”, such as Annabelle (sung by Hawley), introduced in “SnowBlind”, beckoning to be followed, guiding one through moment, mistake, miracle and mending, and there is always a lesson.

Opening with “Shattering Sea” and declaring “That is not my blood on the bedroom floor,” we know this gorgeous blending of piano, strings and wood has revealed a wound in a relationship and we must pay heed. “Snow Blind” brings about the question of exactly what is this pairing, this relationship. Immediately we are already in this wonderfully constructed story as it plays out via song and image in mind. “Battle of Trees” seems a brooding set-up for the listener to venture into while “Fearlessness” asks what most everyone has questioned at least once, “Can you hear me?” Loaded with intensity, “Fearlessness” conjures ancient illustration in the guise of brazen, head-first affection.

“Cactus Practice” and “Star Whisperer” blend effortlessly together to the almost fairy tale like trip that is “Job’s Coffin” and here we get to really hear Hawley take control of the piece, piercing words to describe what the fire and self of the protagonist has wrought, to, as sung “see what you’re going to do”. No matter, however, who is singing alongside or individually one of the most beautiful aspects of Amos’ music is her voice, which is in top form throughout “Night of Hunters.”

“Nautical Twilight’s” effects are heart wrenching with exquisitely blended vocals. “Your Ghost” is a true reflection and want to protect and stay, the essence of the other and a real recognition of how two worlds can heal. “The Chase” starts with one of the more familiar Tori Amos piano joining together the hunter and the hunted, the predator and prey the chase is truly on! The album’ namesake track arrives after, which begs to find love instead of blood by the thorn and we know that we are close to a culmination of an end or a continuation.

Do we seek forgiveness, acknowledgement or distortion? The instrumental “Seven Sister” almost feels like some sort of weight has been lifted from the first chords with its whimsical arrangement, but it truly gives one pause to digest what we’ve already consumed. Ending with “Carry” we know that introspection has occurred and the real we are left with, is truly the self and the hope that love will hold her hand, with nature’s sons and daughters, and that one will not be forgotten.

As far as this reviewer is concerned, this is an album that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. To hear the album in a more intimate setting make sure to catch Amos on her North American tour currently underway.

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