Toriphiles Comment On Spark
Updated April 28, 1998
|
|
Toriphiles Comment On SparkUpdated April 28, 1998 |
 From StephanieApril 28, 1998 - I do have to say, however, that it seems like everyone is into Tori's new single, "Spark". I mean, out of all the responses you listed from Toriphiles, only a couple were in "negative" light. I, myself, am not that impressed with what is DISTINCTIVELY her new sound! How can Tori fans blindly cover their eyes and say, "This is not a new Tori. She sounds the same!" All I can say to that is, "Bull!" Where the hell is the piano? I can barely hear it in this song! The harpsicord? The breathy whisps of air following lines of rage? The little, tinkling escapades on the ebony and ivory? Where? This new song of hers has too much of a grunge sound -- a "time to sell out" song. Kinda disappointing. The music is good, don't misunderstand.... but it (at many times) overpowers her voice!!! That is my main beef! I hate that. And also, I played it in my car (I have a very nice sound system) and found I had to blast it to hear her voice, but then the music itself sounded all distorted. I hated that, too! Yes, the song is good. I mean, hey...it's Tori for God's sake!!!!!!! It's GOT to be good! But I sure hope that there are songs on the new CD that I will be more impressed with. Songs that will be more "Tori"... Tori, pleaseeeeeeeeeee don't sell out! Thanks for allowing me to vent, Mike. *smile From Melissa LeubnerApril 12, 1998 - Hey there... I thought I'd add my few cents to the Spark discussion... I agree with the guess that it's about her miscarriage. But all I really know is that it's a very emotional song. When she sang it on Letterman, you could tell what she had to stop her voice from cracking at points. I love the new band! It adds a whole new layer to her music, and in a way it forces her to sing even better, because her voice has to compete with the guitar and etc. etc. The beat is incredible, how it starts really slow and sweet but in the middle it speeds up and gets so much... louder. And at the end how you think she's finished, and then she surpises you with a slow "She's addicted to nicotine patches" etc. I can't wait until the choirgirl hotel comes out! From brooke in L.A.April 10, 1998 - i just wanted to add a little something to ryan obermeyer's (really interesting) guesses at the message in spark-- "she's addicted to nicotine patches"-- she's looking for something she needs, something that seems comforting (even if its dangerous), but she can't have what it is she really wants & so has become "addicted" to a substitute-- and if the songs really about the miscarriage, a substitute for love i love the song i think its beautiful (and very tori, by the way) From Adam NessMarch 26, 1998 - I've been reading the comentary on "Spark" that you have on your web page, and I just thought I'd add my thoughts to the mix. A lot of people have been saying that Tori is talking about losing her baby, but I'm not so certain it means the miscarriage. It really sounds to me like she is talking about Losing a good friend to Jealously. From LydiaMarch 26, 1998 - I think the song is wonderful, and very much Tori and not too departed from her first three solo albums. She still has the piano (of course) and the floating vocals (on "here, here, here...") that i adore, and the band sort of gives a fuller sound than on most of Boys for Pele, though I do love her songs that are just her and a piano. Anyway, Spark is already stuck in my head, and now i just have to wait for the rest of the album (and the club tour, and Plugged '98... =) it's enough to make a girl um, go and do something really happy...) From CatherineMarch 20, 1998 - Just a thought, but it seems to me the line "trusting my soul to the ice cream assassin" is another reference to Charles Manson: "I don't believe you're leaving cause me and Charles Manson like the same ice cream." Remember that Manson's people killed Sharon Tate when she was several months pregnant. Since Spark seems to have a thematic thread of loss of a child running through it, this made sense to me. From Karen BarkanMarch 20, 1998 - I agree that Spark could be about Tori's miscarriage, but it could be about anything at all. I kinda think some EWF are trying to put thoughts in Tori's head (kinda like putting words in her mouth). I find that such deep and public interpretations are almost insulting to her and to people who want to take personal meaning from her songs. I feel like we're treating her song writing as a science, and her heart, like the cow's heart we all disected in Jr. High. From Kelly StitzelMarch 20, 1998 - Hi Mike! Me again. I was just catching up on the latest Torinews and read a comment about my comment that Spark brought to mind a poem by Wallace Stevens called The Emperor of Ice Cream. The person said that she thought the Emperor was God. The interpretation I've come to know of this poem is that the Emperor is death. Now, I'm sure this doesn't make much sense to you, so here's the poem: The Emperor of Ice Cream Call the roller of big cigars
Take from the dresser of deal, Now, I'm not at all saying this poem has anything to do with Spark, nor am I saying that Tori is referring to this poem in the song. When I listened to it and heard that line, this poem just popped into my head, probably because of the words ice cream. When I read this poem, I imagine Tori putting some sort of music to it and singing it. It just sounds like something she'd really be into, you know? I don't know, maybe my literature-freak brain is going a little overboard. As a writer, I know how annoying it can be when people read too much into your work. So, until Tori tells us what the song is about, I'm going to hang back on my interpretations. From HeatherMarch 19, 1998 - Just a tidbit, but about the "trusting her soul to the ice cream assassin" -- Someone already referred to "The Emperor of Ice Cream" by Wallace Stevens. Isn't the Emperor of Ice Cream in the poem really God? If so, and we know from the context (divine master son and judas) that it may be another religious reference, and also how smart and literary Tori is, then I think it's reasonable and probable that the ice cream assassin is not only god, but a murderous god (lost baby). There's my two copper coins. From Eric Thelen (RDT Right Now mailing list)March 19, 1998 - Some thoughts on 'Spark':
From Cruel82March 19, 1998 - I would like to say that I really like "spark". In listening to it, I see many allusions to her miscarriage.."but she couldn't keep baby alive doubting if there's a woman there somewhere here, here, here...say i don't want it again and again but she's gone gone when i need her say you don't want it the circus we're in but she won't don't let her leave it don't, don't really mean it..." From Carol WilkinMarch 19, 1998 - I just wanted to say that I don't understand how anyone could not be anything but THRILLED with Spark! I like it much more than Siren, which after all was cowritten with someone. It's a wonderful song with absolute grace of movement, in melody and as well as harmony, and though I have no idea what the lyrics are (I will wait for the official word on that), I admit that I don't really pay much attention to lyrics in a song at first. I experience the music first, as that is the point of any song, ultimately, is the musical experience. Not that words aren't also important, they can be poetic (certainly so in Tori's case), and therefore add to the aesthetic of the music, as well as meaningful. Well, that's all I have to say. Except, for me, her layering of melody and her lilting of voice is all I need to know that Tori is still with us, in a BIG WAY!!! From Nick Schutz (Precious-Things mailing list)March 19, 1998 - I just heard Spark today for the first time. It's pretty cool. It's not a complete change for Tori. I like the sort of lounginess to it. It's sort of like the Scott Weiland song "Lady Your Roof Brings Me Down." I mean, it like gives off the same vibe. It's pretty cool. I want to hear more... From Woj (Precious-Things mailing list)March 19, 1998 - what struck me first about "spark" was how little it *isn't* a change for tori. the song would certainly not be out of place on _under the pink_ and it's not too much of a stretch to imagine it on _little earthquakes_ or _boys for pele_. i think that expectations, based on what little tori had said and the touring with a band thing, were for something much more drastic than what it turned out to be. From Ryan ObermeyerMarch 19, 1998 - I am going out on a HUGE limb, by going on a tiny suspicion reguarding the message behind Spark. Also please consider that I realize even the lyrics are possibly incorrect, but I feel that my inclinations are at least interesting. I hope they aren't inapropriate. I think Spark may contain references to her miscarriage. I have left out repetitious parts and chosen the lyrics that I feel are closest to being correct. My interpretation is COMPLETELY uncertain. And are not intended in any way to be disrespectful or intrusive to Tori Amos. Also keep in mind that I am only seventeen and a little uneducated when it comes to interpreting art. "She's addicted to nicotine patches" -? "She's afraid of the light in the dark" -perhaps her own fears reguarding a change in her life(baby, marriage) "Six fifty-eight" -referring to a specific moment "are you sure where my spark is?" -the glowing life inside her she can't see(baby)/the life that is gone from her child "here,here,here" -her child being brought prematurely into the world, her calling for the life to return to her child. "pulling back glacier" -the power she lacks as a human,struggling to overcome an obstacle too large for a human(death) "couldn't keep baby alive" -blaming herself for the death, frustration at her inabilty as a mother/human to overcome it "doubting if there's a woman there somewhere" -guilt, shame towards herself as a mother/woman. "say I don't want it again and again" -perhaps, at first, not wanting the child at such an inconvenient time in her life "but she's gone when I need her" -now wanting the child she felt connected with "say you don't want the circus we're in" -not wanting to live or raise a child in the entertainment industry "but she won't, don't let her leave it" -but she still wants the child "If the Divine Master's plan is perfection, maybe next I'll give Judas a try" -she might be saying if such events could occur under a "perfect" God then she'll trust in someone else, even an imperfect traitor/anger at God "Trusting my dog to the ice cream assassin" -? "How many fates turn around in the other town? -a feeling of alienation due to the event(miscarriage) "Why do we understand things that you'll never find" -wondering why she'll completely comprehend things that her child will never even be able to experience "You don't believe that he virus will murder her" -disbelief, shock reguarding the death. From Ahmie PolakMarch 19, 1998 - You know, I haven't been able to hear it (at least not well, the full song recording that I downloaded did not sound very good [sound quality wise] on the computer I only had the briefest of chances to listen to it on (before a long trip home to Cleveland from NYC), but it stired something in me that left me feeling elated and hurting all the way home (most of the elation was probably just from hearing a new Tori song - the only drug I need [well, maybe aside from the pain meds]). Now, after reading the Rumba article (THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!) and going back to read more reviews and lyric guesses, I'm sitting here at work almost in tears... I can never quite believe how capable Tori is of painting a picture with her music... I didn't understand what she was saying when I heard it, but the music was such a "passage" kind of feeling to it... now reading the lyric guesses again within the Rumba framework, it's so easy to understand... having had friends go through the experience of a miscarriage, I have to say this is one of the easiest to interpret songs since LE. I can almost picture her being told that the baby was dead... I wonder if that is the significance of 6:58? Maybe that's what time it was? I can hear my friends who lost their babies crying about it again, see the anguish in their faces and the rants that they went into and remember feeling their emptiness with them.... and it's all there in what we have been able to understand of the song's lyrics.. that spark of life that she was so happy to feel and it left her body (but obviously not her heart). From Ethan RichardsMarch 19, 1998 - Ok, I guess I should say something now after reading 5 days worth of this and that on the "new" Tori.Ý When I heard the song for the first time, the thing that struck me was how similar the sound was to Madonna's new album.Ý Tori once again is showing that she is willing to grow as an artist.Ý Yes, keeping to the same style is nice for the old philes...but in order for any artist to move forward, they have to be able to pull in new fans...and to do that they have to do something that tweeks a diferent nerve.Ý I'm proud to say that I love every incarnation Tori has been.Ý Each album is unique in it's flavor, and the thing that hold it's together is a girl and her piano.Ý OK, so there is more going on in the backgroud...but that fills it out.Ý OK, so she wants to tour with a band, that just means she wants to try something different.Ý As I recall, when she took "Talula" to the road, she included addtional back-up background music by tape...that that is restricting.Ý At least with a live band they can adapt to what comes out of her.Ý The thing I love about her live shows is her ability to make her songs sound different each time, keeping them fresh.Ý I look forward to her next album and her next tour and I know that she will succeed yet again at defining her place in the music scene. From Phoebus ApolloMarch 18, 1998 - Spark is such an amazing song! I loved it the first time I heard it...I love Tori's songs, they are so refreshing in a world of love-dump songs. Well it seems that people's interpretations of the song are similar in most parts except for the "fates" part I heard something different here too, here it goes: How many fates turn around in the other (town) Ballerinas fins that you'll never find I really hear Ballerinas, listen carefully (Ball-e-rinas) well that's what I think. I LOVE this song and it reminds me of Take to the Sky, much more powerful than BfP, don't get me wrong BfP is my favorite album but it made me feel so vulnerable...it was sooo private I only felt good listening to it by myself, it was such a masterpiece. From DelirieMarch 18, 1998 - How one could say that "Spark" is so different from anything Tori's ever done is beyond me. It's not quite as raw or acoustic as most of her stuff, but it's not all that different from some of her others. In any case, I think it's a beautiful song, I was completly moved. It doesn't deviate from Tori's own uniqueness (but hell, I can hear Tori's flair in Baltimore) in my opinion. I loved it. One thing I can say for her most recent works is that I see a LOT more blood and fire. Why, I don't know. The timing for such feelings is a little off, I admit. (Of course, that's only to the best of my knowledge.) Still, I see a lot of demons dancing in both "Spark" and "Siren." And I like it. ;) From Rebecca MerrillMarch 18, 1998 - Some Toriphiles have expressed some disappointment with Spark, and of course I honor those opinions, but I ask them to remember this: After reading the translation of the Rumba article, I was struck with Tori's immense openness with her listeners and fans. "...but she couldn't keep baby alive..." That's tough to put out there for everyone to see, and incredibly admirable. It's almost a snippet of a new MAAG in a way. And this is why I find her music so powerful and engaging. So I'm just hoping that you're not disappointed in Tori for the wrong reasons. From rebecca hunterMarch 18, 1998 - I don't"get it".The song "Spark"that is.But,a while back you had posted a thing by someone in your"thoughts"section who explained tori's metaforical genius.That person said that much of Tori's interpretation relied on "gestalt"perception.I think he meant that there are many ways to interpret Tori's music.The "woman with the halibut eyes"is a line I remember.Wish I could remember more of it.I thought the thesis was very good.Anyway,I think that person was trying to say that even tho her music is very personal-subjective-that each of us can personalize it in our own way.I think we shoud try to do the same thing with "Spark".I understand the "baby"line represents her miscarriage,& she is enraged by it.As well as saddenned.But if I personalize the song to things I can relate to,I can find all kinds of meaning!!!Thats what I think is the beauty of Tori's music.& I think the person who wrote the thesis on Tori's metafor genius was really in touch with it.Anyway thats what I think. From Nick SchallMarch 18, 1998 - Ok, I just figured that it's time to put my two cents in with Sparks. It doesn't surprise me that some EWF out there don't like it. Remember what happened with the last album. There were a lot of people that I know of who did not like the album when it first came out. In fact, it took me several listenings to get used to Boys for Pele. But, now Boys is my favorite Tori album. So, what's the point of saying you don't like this song now, when we don't even have the full picture yet. All of Tori's album's have connection through them and we only have a tiny bit of the interweaving that will be done on this album. Sparks is just a flash, trying to get our attention. The thing to decide is if you're going to grab onto it and ride the Spark all the way, or if you'll touch it for awhile and decide that it burns you too much. So, that's my two cents. By the way, I LOVE SPARK!!!!!! From Kelly StitzelMarch 18, 1998 - Hi Mike! How are you? Well, I listened to the clip of Spark and what can I say. Tori has done it again. She has taken us to another level in her world and introduced us to a brand new girl with such attitude. This song is so wonderful and I can't wait to hear it in its full glory--full blast on my stereo! The lyrics are great and the part about the ice cream assasin brought to mind a poem by Wallace Stevens called The Emperor of Ice Cream. If you can, check it out. I agree with other comments about how this really isn't that radical of a change for Tori. Yes, it's not SATY with just piano, but it's stil Tori the way GOD is still Tori. This girl is wearing red leather instead of a yellow party dress and I think that's wonderful! Spark has really whet my appetite for the new album. Tori is still the faerie queen and I hope we all remember that! From Robert GermanMarch 18, 1998 - Here's my guess at the lyrics for Spark. This song is awesome! The contrast between the begining part and when the piano comes in creates a climactic musical journey for the senses to gush over. I'm dying to hear the rest of her album. This is the goddess at her best. Amazing...Wonderful... :) she's addicted to nicotine patches From BrettMarch 18, 1998 - I have listened to the song three times and I have to say that I am disappointed in it! It doesn't really "get me" like some other Tori songs do. I surely don't hope that the rest of the new album isn't like "Spark" because I found it to be very boring! From Jenny GoberMarch 17, 1998 - I've been listening to spark over and over again, and the more I listen and the more I anaylize the more I can keep pulling meanings out of the song. God, it's so beautiful. I noticed people are confused about the line "she's addicted to nicotine patches"... if you would please post this, tell everyone I think that it's deliberate irony on tori's part... that someone is addicted to the very thing that was supposed to wean them. From JasonMarch 17, 1998 - after finally hearing "spark" in it's entirety, i wanted to add my remarks.. i'm afraid i'm gonna have to deviate from all of you saying "how incredibly different" it is from anything else she's ever done. i see the piano as quite evident throughout the entire bass-line of the song. she's just playing in a notably lower register which does make it a little more subtle.it's not like we've never seen tori with guitar and drums before- consider "CALS", "Talula", "Spacedog", etc. it's also important to remember that traditionally she's always released the most commercially viable songs as singles, again, "CALS", "God", etc. i think the vocal layering is uniquely tori and beautifully accomplished, and certainly from a lyrical standpoint, this is classic tori. on another note- there was actually a few songs on BFP with a traditional verse/chorus structure. If you compare "Spark" to "Hey Jupiter" you'll notice that the structure is almost identical..open frame/verse/chorus/verse/chorus/close frame. i think it's an incredible song, and certainly indicitive of what an amazing album "from the choirgirl hotel" will prove to be. just my thoughts.... :-) From Nathan Dykman (rec.music.tori-amos newsgroup)March 17, 1998 - Well, I've seen some traffic on the new single, and I finally went to a website and listened to it. Or tried to. Really, I tried, but it just well, it just bugged me! So, I need to vent. I don't expect anyone to even remotely agree with me. So, don't kill me or roast me to death. Just what I am feeling at the moment. I'm just, well, kind of disappointed with the song. Look, this is my opinion, and if you like the song, great. I don't, and that worries me. I've never heard any song by Tori that didn't like, or see how it will grow on me. I'll won't make final judgement until the album comes out, but the first song is not a good sign. Look, maybe when I hear a better copy, it will grow on me, but I doubt it. It just isn't what I listen to Tori for. It seems too much like a standard pop/rock song, and I don't care for that at all. Look, I strained and strained to hear some piano or harpsichord. I couldn't pick it out of the guitar, drums, etc. Again, probably the audio capture, but still. I am not happy at all with the direction she's taking. Really. The "let's get a band and rock" has been done so many times. The whole thing I liked about Tori was the piano as the anchor of all the songs. The piano is powerful instrument, able to hold it's own against a full orchestra. Why bury it? I know, I know. She's done the piano thing. Look, we've had about 400 years of piano/keyboard music, and really doubt you'll ever exhaust the instrument's depth. Also, she revived the harpsichord, with is a underestimated in it's own right. So why stop now? Why does she need a band? She's better than 98% of the bands out there with just her and the piano. Now, it's just like any old tour, nothing special, or different. Just her and a Bosey, that's all I need. She is an amazing performer, and doesn't need a band to back her up at all. I'd say that Tori's biggest asset is her keyboard skills and songwriting. The interplay between the two is what I really like. Some other touches are good, but most of her songs stand on the keyboard. Even the songs in BfP stand on keyboard, even though percussion, guitar are present. Just listen to Talula and note how much the harpsichord is present in the tune. (Okay, I'm listening to that song now. Just an example). I am not the biggest fan of her voice. She can sing fairly well, but I think (remember, opinion, don't kill me, please ;-), that Sarah and others have better range, tone, depth and control. What Tori really was amazing at was blending voice and piano. I think she isn't as good without that blending. I mean, for voice, I'll take Sarah over Tori, Loreena McKennitt over Sarah, and Lisa Gerrard (Dead can Dance) over Loreena. Tori's is a bit low on my list. So, count me as one who doesn't like the single. Sigh... Listening to BfP to remember why I love Tori From Glennon R. Poirier (rec.music.tori-amos newsgroup)March 17, 1998 - IMHO, this song is awesome. I've heard it twice on KROQ and listened to it a bunch off the Dent website. I love this song and hope it is a harbinger of things to come from the album. I was a little surprised at all the hue and cry from the ears with feet over Tori saying she wanted to do a more band oriented album. I love her "girl with a piano" stuff, but she's always had a band on her albums. To me, the biggest change is that she will tour with a band. And for me, this is all for the better. I missed hearing some of the songs the way she did them on the album. Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating Tori doing a note for note rendition, but I think some songs truly suffer from not having the other instruments involved, (CALS, for example). Anyway, I really love "Spark." I like the lyrics a lot ("She's addicted to nicotine patches"...and..."Trusting my soul to the ice cream assassin.") but mostly I love the sound. It has this dark, blue-gray, feel to it, especially in the portions where her voice is distorted. I love the big sound of the middle. One of my favorite songs is Father Lucifer, and I love the layered vocals on that, and this song. In a way, though, this song is an extension of the BfP sound, like the Doughnut Song or Little Amsterdam, or even In the Springtime of His Voodoo. See, BfP is my favorite ToriAlbum, so I'm really excited by this new song. I have loved it from the moment I heard it, but have grown to like it even more since re-listening to it. I think this album's gonna be huge!!! From SarMarch 17, 1998 - now, i have only heard spark via realaudio, where the clarity isn't fantastic, but i think that the second thing "she" is addicted to is not "nicotine patches," but "everything precious." just an idea. From Nick RaafeMarch 17, 1998 - I downloaded the sound clip of "Spark" and what can I say? I am mesmerized! I'm on the edge of my seat like I was when I first played the clip of "Siren." It's incredible! I love the new direction the new music is taking... it's a step in a new direction but not too left-of-center that lovers of her previous albums can't appreciate it. Each album Tori has released was very different from the one that preceded it and I'm glad that Tori has not let us down and continues to challenge herself... I can't wait to hear FROM THE CHOIRGIRL HOTEL. From Melanie WattsMarch 17, 1998 - I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents concerning "Spark". . . Honestly, I'm
not impressed. I won't make a judgment call by saying the song is good or
bad, especially since I've only heard it over the Internet (which can be
deceiving unless you can snag an mp3 version). Any way, I just feel like
the song drags-- it doesn't really go places. I don't hear a lot of
dynamics-- that is, it just kind of hangs in the air without really going
anywhere. I'm not really into the whole 70's rock scene, and one of the
things that draws me to Tori is her ability to weave magic when she rocks
her Bosey, and that's missing in "Spark." Again, I'm not saying it's a bad
song, it's just not really my cup of tea. From Stephanie Handley (Precious-Things mailing list)March 17, 1998 - There is something so special about hearing a song on the radio, as opposed to listening to the cd or cassette. On my commute into work this morning I flipped from Howard Stern to HFS (Long story, but I hate their new morning guy--he's too mainstream!!!!) just in time to hear the very beginning of Spark. Goosebumps. I guess everyone knows just how excited I am! I've been a faithful listener to HFS for over 10 years, and this new morning guy has a lot of regular listeners worried about the direction of the station. I think their airing of Spark has renewed my faith! Now if they'd just bring back the Morning Product..... From Luna VuduMarch 17, 1998 - she's addicted to nicotine patches From Steve HnatowMarch 17, 1998 - i think the lines are..... How many faces turn round in the other town THE WOMAN IS A GODDESS!!! And if this song doesn't prove it the album definitely will. Unfortunately I was unable to hear the song being located in the midwest, however i did get to listent to the sound clip of the net. And it's beautiful! Looking at all these responses I became mad that other where able to hear the song and i wasn't abe to cause the computer in my room isn't good enough. So I trotted down to the computer lab and listened to it there and let me say I looked really stupid rything in my chair. Yes there's definitely a piano in there somewhere.... listen closely. But it becomes really evident during the middle of the song. The layers of her voice grow into the guitar and drums..... leading to the paino switching into the dominant instrument. Starting the song with her raspy voice gives me the image for the video of her crawling through a dark tunnel clenching a spark in her hand emiting her crisp beautiful vocals for the refrain. It's a mixture of siren and father lucifer definitely. I can't get the song out of my head and once everyone hears it, neither will they. From Miss MindiMarch 17, 1998 - If I recall, I had heard that Tori had a miscarriage at one point... I don't know that it was ever verified, so I can't accept it as fact.. but if indeed she did, could the song Spark maybe refer to that in the line "But she couldn't keep baby alive" I can't pick out the line before and after it, (as I noticed some of you couldn't either :)...) but that one to me is unmistakable... Just a thought. But then would she be refering to herself in the rest of the song? confusing to me... but that's Tori :) From Michael HeikerMarch 17, 1998 - Spark is REALLY Different ! But so amazing i can¥t think about anything now. It¥s not so much the Girl with the Piano more the Woman that KICKS ASS !!! Tori is such a wonderful artist and performer ! I count the days until I can see her LIVE in Germany !!! Oh my God ! I just want to jump up and down... From MetroJoe82March 17, 1998 - I just downloaded the entire song on wav format and at first, I was really scared. Not particularly scared of the song: I really love the song. It's an amazing piece of music and I was glad to see that she's taking the "Siren" approach and focusing on having a chorus to her songs (something somewhat missing after Little Earthquakes). I did think she could have incorporated a little less band and a little more piano, but I was relieved when I heard the Bosey get it's own little spotlight in the song (which reminded me of the "hey they found a body" part of "Past the Mission"). Overall, "Spark" is a terrific song and it definitely has an older Led Zepplin-ish feel to it (it even has somewhat of a Y Kant Tori Read thing going on). But I'm afraid that there won't be any songs that are just Tori and her piano. And we all know there's NOTHING like Tori and her piano. But this change is good. I'm happy with "Spark." But back to being scared. I'm scared because "Spark" is extremely radio friendly and I'm truly afraid From the Choirgirl Hotel is going to be a big "alternative" hit and its going to sell like 6 million copies. Excuse me while I vomit at the thought.... From Krissy ClaesMarch 14, 1998 - I just heard Spark and yeah Tori! I admit, the nicotine patches thing is kind of odd and it threw me off but the rest of the song is beautiful. The chorus is passionate, and her voice during "Here, here, here" made me shiver. I love the girl and the piano but the woman with the band has potential, especially when she has such a gorgeous voice. Yes its DIFFERENT. DEAL with it. You were forewarned. I hear a little Zeppelin and some 70's, Tori's roots. Any ideas about the patches thing? Maybe Tori's just trying to paint a picture of the girl in the song. And what about Tori's tour, will she still do the songs from Little Earthquakes etc.? I love Spark but a tour without Little Earthquakes in it would be devastating. From KayMarch 14, 1998 - When I listened to "Spark" for the first time yesterday, I was just so excited (I should say I was more like mesmerized) and wasn't able to pay much attention to the details such as lyrics and instrunments .... Only thing I remember was that I just fell in love with the song at the moment I heard it! Like everybody else says, Tori has done it!!! From ElysiaMarch 14, 1998 - I just heard Spark for the first time. I was breathless. It's simply amazing. I love the new sound. The first thing I thought of when I heard it was that it sounded like The Beatles or Pink Floyd or some 70's type old music. But it's definately Tori. It was so rich in sound, I love the new texture and it felt like diving down into some new place. of course, I still love the piano only type thing, but i am glad she is going a different direction. I just hope there's at least ONE piano only song on the record. From Nithya RajendranMarch 14, 1998 - I heard "Spark" last night on WHFS ( couldn't sleep very well, consequently. I mean this in a good way.) This is one AMAZING song. It's warping through a completely different sonic dimension. And I just can't get that guitar riff out of my head. Many have already given pretty good descriptions of the song so I'll try not to be redundant. There were many surprises about the song itself: Tori's vocals, the prominent guitar and the lack of serious piano action until the middle of the song. What surprised me the most was the song's verse-chorus-verse consistancy. One of the acpects of Tori's music I admired is the lack of concrete structure in her songs; the little twists and unexpected turns that popped up. This one didn't have too many. But it suits the change in direction she's going in. Nonetheless, "Spark" is mind-blowing and I just don't know how long I can wait to hear the rest of "choirgirl hotel." From Ben CochranMarch 14, 1998 - In terms of a review, though: everyone seems to be saying how "different" it is from her other things, etc etc etc. And, yes, granted, it's not a "girl and her piano" kind of song. But was "Precious Things?" Was "Cornflake Girl?" Was "Take To The Sky," or "Space Dog," or... anyway. You get my drift. And these -- in my humble (foolish?) opinion, were all quality songs. Which is not to say that "Spark" is anything less! Make no mistake, I think this is a [censored] good song. I love the layered vocals; I'm glad she chose to go with that (something, that, also appears in many of the songs quoted above)... too, I think the lyrics are a step away from the often overly confusing/disjointed lyrics off of Boys For Pele. I think BFP was, in many ways, a purely experimental album for her... trying new things with distortion, and the techno remixes, but I think she's caught her stride once again with "Spark"; again echoing the sentiments of pretty much everyone on this post-page, I'd say that if this is a precursor of songs to come off of Choirgirl Hotel, this is going to be one hell of an album. From Andrew J. S.March 14, 1998 - So here it is and it is completely different from anything I have ever heard her (or anyone else for that matter) do with music. I love the strong (guitar?) notes at the begggining, her voice is very raspy and throaty (at the start and end) like it is in "Frog On My Toe", and the background voices gave me nightmares last night. I have no clue what it means, and I'm not ready to try to understand it yet, the song makes me think of a few of her works intertwined, like Father Lucifer mainly, with the background voices, and the music is kind of a spin-off of Siren, but this song is angrier, and spookier! I hear some Caught A Lite Sneeze, with some yells and gasps that remind me of Boys For Pele songs, but I can't place it yet. She is scaring me! Has Tori completely lost her piano? I only heard it twice for very short moments in this entire song! I am really nervous about this new image she is putting on to her music, I am hopeful also, for her new album, but I can't see how any CD ever made can beat Boys For Pele.... We'll see what she does for us next, she improves with every CD, maybe Boys was just a step before she included other music with her piano, but I don't really have that much of a problem with it. I love Talula and Siren, and In the Springtime of his Voodoo and CALS, so I think if she follows the path of those songs, she should still put out a perfect million songs or two.... From TimMarch 14, 1998 - I have to say, that the first time I`ve heard I was very shocked about. Neither a Piano nor a harpsichord. A whole grunge-band instead. But I also have to say that there are only a few Tori-songs I loved from the beginning. And such is SPARK. The more I hear it the better I find it....And now I love it, too.Ohhh, how I LOOOVE THESE WONDERFUL OVERLAPPING VOICES OF THE GODESS ! You know, I`m hearing it on the headphones and this song really gives me the creaps of wellness. She is still the greatest. From Mireya InghamMarch 14, 1998 - i just heard SPARK, new music from TORI!!! ON KROQ. at 6pm, on friday march 13th, local radio station KROQ premiered Spark, Tori's newest song. it is pretty wierd to hear her with a band, but she still uses her voice, which sounds stronger than ever, and her piano, which she does her piano solo. all i can say is, i'm poised by the tape recorder with blank tape in hand. :) From Pixy beanMarch 14, 1998 - I heard Spark...and once again Tori has done it...changed...and yet kept her beautful grace...:))...I absolutely adore it...:))...I know people will criticise her for changing her ways....changing something that was already good to begin with...but I think everyone changes.....so...I say...good for her!!...:))...She has done a most wonderful job...:)).........I am looking forward to seeing her in Boston on her small club tour...(if I can get tickets)...and seeing her (hopefully) again on her more extensive tour later...:) From christMarch 14, 1998 - Now, I had a feeling KROQ in l.a. was going to play spark.
at about seven a.m. on friday, they said "we debuted alanis, and other
statiosn got mad. now, we're going to do it again, six p.m., listen in, a
world premiere." and i had a *feeling* it was tori, so we listened, and sure
enough, it was. i think the song is extremely pretty, but when i listen to
the words, they throw me off a bit. for me, it's DEFINITELY the *feeling* the
song cojures From HeatherMarch 14, 1998 - Oh, wow. I just listened to Spark -- I agree with what everyone else has said, about it being SO different. But that essential Tori element (that I can never define) is there, oh WOW is it there. It's such a simple, dark, lazy-swinging song in parts....then that chorus, where she lilts her voice up to sing "but you don't, don't really mean it" ---- god I could just die of happiness and heartbreak!!!!!! It's DEFINITELY radio-friendly, (in the best of ways!) and all those critics who've been so needlessly harsh on her lately are going to have to eat their words, and I hope they enjoy doing it! The vocal layerings! That strawberry-fields-esque guitar melody! That piano pounding solo in the middle! that "but you don't don't really mean it!!" oh god. I'm gonna go pass out now. :) From DolllMarch 14, 1998 - the microphone distortion while she sings about the nicotine patches is probably the best part of the song. Along with the overlapping voices. The whole "but she won't, don't let her mean it you say you don't want it" part reminds me of another song..very very strongly (not tori), but i can't put my finger on what it is. I think i like the...change of the fact that there is less piano in the song (if it shows up like that on the rest of the album). It doesnt really come into the song strongly until the middle where she goes off into, what reminds me of an icicle improv. Anyhow, thus far my opinon of the power of this song is in it's sound. I don't consider the lyrics to be the strong point of the song. It's very powerful and dramtic. It sounds like such a production. I'm...quite happy with it. Which, i was not expecting. She's addicted to nicotine patches
She's convinced she could grow by the glacier
say you dont want it again and again
If the divine master son is perfection
say you dont want it again and again
How many fates turn around in the other town
How many fates turn around in the other town(? or oven)
but she dont really mean it
She's addicted to nicotine patches From Laura (Precious-Things mailing list)March 14, 1998 - Well, I think she incorperated the strings and drums nicely in the beginning, and she couldn't make it through the song with out giving her piano a part of the spotlight, but what really got to me was the intensity of her vocalizations at the end. MAN, *2 snaps in a circle* Tori has done it again. I think this change is wonderful. I love it! From MoIIy (Precious-Things mailing list)March 14, 1998 - I heard the song tonight while my friend and I were sitting at the beach. At first, when I heard the voice, I was telling myself "No, this couldn'tbe Tori...I don't recognize the song." But then, it was the line that says "She's addicted to nicotine patches," and I knew it. It was very exciting. The song sounds much like her old stuff, and the only part I could really hear a band playing was towards the end. But it is a great song. I love it. From EllenMarch 14, 1998 - Well, I just gave "Spark" a good listen and I am amazed at the beauty of the song...Toriphiles shouldn't be concerned with their fears of her losing her 'girl with piano' image...Tori clearly sounds different than before, but just because we don't hear her passionately pounding the piano keys as in past recordings doesn't mean she has lost the unique style we all fell in love with. I think she's just simply moved on to new heights. Tori's music has always taken us to places we've only dreamed of going - she's the only one that's ever been able to do that for me. It's exciting that she's involved in a new level of music - it's even more exciting that she's taking us along for the ride. I think it's going to be her best album yet. From Matt PresidenteMarch 14, 1998 - I've listened to it TWO times, and I'm blown away... I absolutely love it... it DOES remind me of YKTR... especially right after the bridge... I love the whole song - it is gorgeous, and I'm glad it's the first song on the album, cause it's loud and powerful, yet very dark, and that's a good way to start it off. The drums are great, and all the layered vocals are cool - I don't think it's THAT differnet from her other stuff - the BG music is, but the style and the vocals are very tori-ish, and I love it From Tripp Gwyn (posted to ToriNews mailing list)March 14, 1998 - This song is....oh my god.....this song..... I listened to the 30 sec clip and it scared the piss out of me. I thought, oh god, she's going to go on this alternative ROUGH CHICK bandwagon. I was worried. Then I got the entire wav....I could cry. That song is so....the layered vocals, the instruments. I thought Tori was going back to the YKTR thing, it "ain't" happening. They way her voice is distorted and then becomes normal with the chorus...OHH MAN. The girl and her piano didn't go away. She just made it better. The drums are so neat. If this is a clue to what the rest of the alum is like, I think the critics are going to love it. This seems like a concept album. I'm hearing Zepplin, with a Beatles touch, and maybe a tad of Pink Floyd percussion. We know Tori's very into Radiohead...and I'm conjuring images of OK COMPUTER. I hope this song is just a little preview to this wonerful album to come. Tori is so smart. What would Atlantic Records, much less her fans, do without her? I'm in love....I'm going to float into ecstasy. From JessicaMarch 13, 1998 - Dear Mikewhy! I heard it, I heard it and it's so wonderful!!! ...O my goodness, though, it's so amazing. I know that some people were feeling wary about the whole addition of a band and her comments that she'd done the 'girl with the piano' thing; I had just the slightest of fears too, but it's all okay! It's still Tori, everything's okay, it was probably just nerves and excitement that made us paranoid! So - at some points she does some counterpoint singing, as in Father Lucifer; I really couldn't make out what the under lyrics were... And at other times she adds background vocals to some of the lines, same words-several voices...
She's addicted to nicotine patches
She's convinced she could call back a glacier
If the Divine Master Son is perfection
How many Fates turn around in the (3 syllables missing)
How many Fates turn around in the (3 syllables)
She's addicted to nicotine patches From Kim DavisMarch 13, 1998 - "Spark" She's addicted to nicotine patches
She's convinced she's could (pull) back the glaciers
You say you don't want to (again) and again
if the divine master (dishonors his) perfection
You don't say you don't want to again and again
How many fates turn around in the (underground)
How many fates turn around in the (underground)
she's addicted to nicotine patches ok, that's it.. wow.. that was damn tough From Aaron ElkissMarch 13, 1998 - well, i just spent quite a while trying to figure out the words to Spark, which premiered not long before six fifty-eight on HFS, 99.1... a good amount of the lyrics aren't correct especially on the chorus, I know, but a good amount of them -are- correct. It was very different from Tori's previous work, but she hasn't totally abandoned the "girl with a piano image". The piano does show up at the end and in the background, but it's primarily electric guitar. Not bad, but certainly different. Spark
she's addicted to nicotine patches
she's come out
say you don't want it
guess the divine master's son is perfection
say you don't want it
how many fates turn around in the end?
say you don't want it, say you don't want it
she's addicted to nicotine patches From Meg (posted to ToriNews mailing list)March 13, 1998 - Okay, I did my best in the 15 minutes since the song has been on to transcribe the lyrics. Parts in parentheses I'm not too sure on... From what I can decipher, here it is: "Spark" She's addicted to nicotine patches
She's convinced she could grow like a glacier
('Cos) I don't want to (hear) that again
If the divine master (sees his) perfection
('Cos) I don't want to (hear) that again
How many fates turn around in the other town
How many fates turn around in the other town
But she don't don't run to me now
She's addicted to nicotine patches WHFS (Washington, D.C.) DJ Bob Waugh will be hosting a national radio show in Chicago in May for the release of Tori's album. DJs Bob Waugh and Gina Crash confirm only that they have heard the same rumours: that Tori is *rumoured* to play the 9:30 Club on April 22nd but it has *not* been confirmed. Ah - and here's a laugh - Tori Amos and Linda Tripp (of the Monica Lewinsky bullshit) went to paorochial (sp?) school together. Tori said about Linda, "And I happen to hate this girl with a passion and have no problems wanting to just throw her up against the wall and rip her head off." "Strong words from Tori," said Bob Waugh. From Meg (posted to ToriNews mailing list)March 13, 1998 - Wow! they just played the song! it is soooo good, there is alot of Tori overlapping her own voice and defenitely alot of other instruments in it, but of course the piano is still there. WOw! it's really good, and they also just announced that the DC date is going to be at the 9:30 club!!!!! yay! Please excuse me while i burst out in joy! From Dan FishbackMarch 13, 1998 - I HAVE HEARD IT! Thanks for posting about the debut! I tuned in to HFS and they played "Spark." It was SO un-Tori. It was really 70s epic rock style. I even heard inklings of Billy Joel and Elton John. Scary, huh? It was unlike anything I've heard her due. It was really rock n' roll. There was even an early 80's light grunge element. Almost like she'd been listening to Soundgarden. REALLY SCARY! But the song was AMAZING!!! It's odd though because it seemed to fit the verse/chorus construct that she was trying to get away from before with Pele. This is definetely like nothing I've heard her do. But it was mind-boggling nonetheless. Even the D.Js were awestruck. AAAH! I'm really excited. I'm gonna go call all my friends now! Bye! Oh here are the lyrics I could decipher! "Spark"
She's addicted to nicotine patches
You say you don't want it again and again
If the divine master
You say you don't want it again and again
How many fates turn around in the other She's addicted to nicotine patches Also: NOT CONFIRMED
-They say something about Tori going to perochial school with Linda Tripp, but
I seriously doubt it. Tori went to my high school, Richard Montgomery. I
don't think she was ever at a religious private school. Also, I thought Linda
Tripp was from New Jersey. They play a clip of Tori saying, "And I happen to
hate this girl with a passion and have no problems wanting to just throw her
up against a wall and rip her head off." I think they just had that clip from
somewhere and wanted to be funny. March 13, 1998 - at around 6:45 pm our radio station, WHFS, played SPARK....
it was beautiful. here are some of the lyrics: okay, this was not easy...
"she's addicted to niccotine patches(repeated twice) then i cannot get any clear thing from the next verse
untill... then i loose it again but there are wonderful background vocals through the
whole thing and they make it hard to understand but it is beautiful, there is
a cool piano solo thing that is amazing with billions of background vocals
at one point i could hear "maybe next i'll give judas a try" this song kicks so much ass
the dj had a lot of comments tori related....he announced the date for the DC
club show, April 22, he said the club has not confirmed this yet and tickets
aren't on sale yet....he also said that he has been asked by "tori's people"
to host a national tori radio confrence from chicago, and this is Bob Waugh,
the guy from that "Tea with the Waitress"
so that is everything we know as of now from what we heard....couldn't have
done it without the Dent!! thanks mike!! March 13, 1998 - It's official, "Spark" was played on WHFS around 6:50pm and I have to say it is gorgeous. It's a slower song in the beginning but then Tori really
begins to jam on the piano, and the piano meshes so well with the drums.
It's truly amazing. And it's "She's addicted to nicotine patches" not
he's. The beginning goes "She's addicted to nicotine patches, She's
addicted to nicotine patches, She's afraid of the light in the dark, 6:58,
are you sure where my spark is? Here, Here"
Alot of the other lyrics will take a couple listens to in order to figure
out. And two other notes: Bob Waugh, the DJ that played it that "Tori's
people" have asked him to host a national radio show in Chicago when the
new album is released. And it is not confirmed but the date and venue for
Washington DC concert is April 22nd at the 9:30 club.
Another note that Bob Waugh commented on just because it's cool. Tori went
to parochial school with Linda Tripp (of this whole Monica Lewinsky said)
and he asked Tori about it and she said "And I happen to hate this girl
with a passion and have no problems wanting to throw her up against the
wall and rip her head off" that is a direct quote Bob Waugh played and I
thought it was soo funny. March 13, 1998 - The song begins with a loping, waltz rhythm in a minor key (a slow bouncing 3/4 beat.) It has fairly heavy guitar strings with a pure, clear sound. (think Fender Stratocaster.) The piano is there but is definitely not dominate and only occasionally become prominent. There are multiple vocal overdubs where Tori harmonizes with herself. March 13, 1998 - I just heard Tori's new song "Spark"!!! When I went to listen to Rigg's Early Withdrawl on WHFS I came to a pleasant surprise with Tori's new
song. I taped it. It was really good and it had some overlapping vocals
or something like that and something about a girl being addicted to
nicotine patches. Bob Waugh, who was subbing for Johnny Riggs, said he
is going to host a nation wide radio show about Tori in Chicago. He
also said that Tori went to school with Linda Tripp! Just so you know
it was played at about 6:45 p.m. March 13, 1998 - i just wanted to let you know
that i was able to listen to the premiere of "spark" about 45 minutes
ago and it was excellent. the opening phrase of "she is addicted to
nicotine patches" sets off yet another example of how tori is a lyrical
master far superior to fiona, alanis, et al, who are all great in their
own right. March 13, 1998 - Spark aired on WHFS (99.1FM) at about 6:50pm today!! It was wonderful! The band sounded great, and as soon as I decipher the lyrics I'll try to send them your way! I could definitely pick out "she's addicted to nicotine patches,"
and "It's 6:58 do you know where my spark is?" Just wanted to let you know!
Also, Tori's supposed to be playing at the 9:30 Club in D.C. on April 22, but
that date is not yet confirmed. |
|
Please give me feedback, comments, or suggestions about my site. Email me (Michael Whitehead) at mikewhy@iglou.com |
