She may be the daughter of a reverend, but Tori Amos never seemed the likeliest candidate for a Christmas album; she might sing about “God”, but her music always seemed secular and never seasonal, but in a year that brought holiday albums by Bob Dylan and Sting, it makes perfect sense that Tori should deliver one, too. Amos’ entry, Midwinter Graces, may be as unlikely as Dylan’s, but it’s closer in tenor to Sting’s: it’s deliberately reserved and chilly, capturing the wintriness of the season while studiously avoiding the joy. Tori reworks many familiar carols, tweaking lyrics and pushing them together into a medley, so they sound quite similar to the newly written tunes that comprise the rest of the record. Thanks to some familiar melodies, it can sometimes seem seasonally appropriate, but it always seems purely Tori… – AMG
Check out the new video for Tori’s Pink and Glitter:
REVIEW OF REVIEWS
The title is self-explanatory, but Tori Amos fans may still panic when they pick up “Midwinter Graces” and realize the shocking truth: This is a seasonal album. The first song, “What Child, Nowell,” praises baby Jesus with angelic, harmonizing vocals reminiscent of Sarah Brightman or Hayley Westenra. But although making a holiday album might suggest otherwise, Amos, the critically acclaimed, alternative-rocking redhead, has not been tamed.
In one respect, Tori Amos releasing a holiday album makes perfect sense. The holidays are infused with religion, and the singer-songwriter references religion as much as poets reference autumn leaves. However, Amos isn’t exactly channeling a gospel choir when she talks about religion or spirituality. This is, after all, the woman who wrote, “God sometimes you just don’t come through / Do you need a woman to look after you?” A fantastic song, but not something you put on while trimming the tree.
Unsurprisingly, Amos hasn’t released a Christmas album. She has dubbed it a solstice album, which means it encompasses songs from different belief systems and cultures, as well as a few original tracks. The result, Midwinter Graces, is a pleasant and often gorgeous effort.
TRACKLIST
1. What Child, Nowell
2. Star of Wonder
3. A Silent Night with You
4. Candle: Coventry Carol
5. Holly, Ivy, and Rose
6. Harps of Gold
7. Snow Angel
8. Jeanette, Isabella
9. Pink and Glitter
10. Emmanuel
11. Winter’s Carol
12. Our New Year
VIDEOS
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