From The Choirgirl Hotel

05/05/1998 3:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Craig Rosen

Say what you will about Tori Amos, just don't call her boring. In the Lilith Fair-era, when female singer-songwriters seem to be a dime a dozen on MTV and your favorite radio station, Amos remains a unique and intriguing talent. On her fourth album--fifth if you count the long-forgotten band effort, 1988's Y Kant Tory Read--there's plenty of classic confessional, piano-based Tori, such as "Spark," the hypnotic opening track and first single. Yet rather than stick entirely to that tried-and-true formula, Amos ups the ante by incorporating some more rocking and electronic elements--the latter perhaps a result of her collaboration with BT. "Cruel" features a thundering, throbbing bass and intoxicating beats. Better yet, the delicious, romping "Raspberry Swirl" may just be the most irresistible track Amos has ever recorded. In short, this hotel is not only worth checking into--you should book yourself for an extended stay.