So, after twenty years, Tori Amos has, in many respects, come full circle, returning to the musical style of Little Earthquakes with her latest album, Unrepentant Geraldines. It isn’t a complete return, as in life, a forty-something can, at best, mimic themselves as a twenty-something. After twenty years, you’re going to be a bit more worldly-wise or world-weary. Parenthood changes your perspective in a manner that can’t be undone.

So, does this relate to Unrepentant Geraldines? Well, it reflects the piano lead style of Little Earthquakes with subtle other instrumentation to help and texture. But the similarities end there (although on initial listens, it is those likenesses that really hit). The point I was making really applies to the lyrical differences. The very direct, perhaps even brutal lyrics of Me And A Gun:

These things go through you head
When there’s a man on your back
And you’re pushed flat on your stomach

or Silent All These Years

So you found a girl
Who thinks really deep thougts
What’s so amazing about really deep thoughts
Boy you best pray that I bleed real soon

They are more subtle in delivery and less direct as they are wrapped in the storytelling of Tori’s characters—perhaps a reflection of confidence and a matured skill as a songwriter, not to mention possibly a more nuanced worldview.

So, after some adventures into more classical arrangements (Gold Dust), we have an album with an end result that is musically brilliant and will be much loved by Tori’s original fan base. The lyrics will undoubtedly reaffirm her relationship with those fans as well. It is a recommended album.