The Beekeeper

An absolutely stunning album! I became a huge fan of Tori Amos back in the 90s, but then pretty much stopped following her out of fear that she could never top the magnificence of "Boys for Pele." I recently came back to her and have been rewarded with this gem. At first listen "The Beekeeper" seems almost incoherent in its grandness, but after repeated run-throughs themes begin to emerge, and taken as a whole it tells a story of sorts. The album is framed by songs that reference frames and art, while also capturing the movement of the lyrical "I" from bitter and self-absorbed to accepting and forgiving, even as she confronts loss and mortality. In "Parasol," the opening track, the lyrical "I" sees herself as someone captured--trapped--within a work of art, who seeks to deal with betrayal. The next several tracks, including the marvelous "Jamaica Inn," in which boats and water, another major theme in this album, appear, deal with the betrayal of a lover, something that comes back in later tracks, especially "Hoochie Woman," in which our narrator sheds her bitterness in favor of humor and an I'm-in-charge attitude. A shift happens with "Barons of Suburbia," in which Amos's lyrical "I" confronts a deeper loss than merely infidelity, and also the strength to rise above it. In "Ribbons Undone" a daughter-like character is introduced, and the album's "narrator" finds herself turning from contemplating herself to connecting joyfully with another, even as the constant theme of loss hovers over the song: the girl in the song doesn't want to grow up, but we know that she will. Time reappears in the haunting title track, as the lyrical "I" wonders how she will deal with the death of a loved one, even as she tries to accept that it will happen, that the Beekeeper comes for us all when it is our time. The album ends with "Toast," full of references not only to time, but to Easter, rising, and art. It returns us to the idea of someone being captured in art, but this time it is not the lyrical "I" who is trapped there, but her addressee who, having been let go, is preserved in a carving, thus avoiding being lost forever. Even though the overall mood of the album is in many ways dark, notwithstanding the bright piano and Amos's soaring vocals, the movement from the first to the last song is one of expansion, rising, and forgiveness. A truly tour de force effort that every Tori Amos fan should listen to.

I bought this album in 2005 when it came out. I still enjoy it.

I wasn't so thrilled with this album, and still can't stand "ireland", so you'll see that song missing from this comment, but if you re-number the songs to the order that is in the CD booklet, you might find a more satisfying album. Strange, but try it out: 1. Barons of Suburbia 2. General Joy 3. The Beekeeper 4. Toast 5. Martha's Foolish Ginger 6. Sweet The Sting 7. Hoochie Woman 8. Cars and Guitars 9. Witness 10. Mother Revolution 11. Ribbons Undone 12. Original Sinsuality 13. Garlands 14. Sleeps With Butterflies 15. Marys of the Sea 16. Jamaica Inn 17. Goodbye Pisces 18. The Power of Orange Knickers 19. Parasol

Hmmmmmmm...Great sex then (all lights off?) pour a glass of great red wine, lie back down and listen to "Sweet The Sting" with your eyes closed and all your other senses AWAKE! Transcendental....

Ahhh The Beekeeper. This album just soothes my soul! Tori definitely softened things up with this album; it has a very gentle playfulness to it and exudes joy throughout. I think this was very much a cleansing and peacemaking album for Tori and I can feel the love and emotion that she was feeling when writing these songs. What I always find interesting with Tori reviewers and critics is that everyone's opinions are so vastly different... what can be one person's favorite song or album can be another person's most loathed! So please take all of the harsh criticism (and gushing applause) with a grain of salt, and just experience her musical genius with an open mind. This album is not perfect, and there are some songs that aren't great, but overall it is a refreshing and peaceful journey through yet another facet of the complicated Tori Amos. Personal favorites: Parasol, General Joy, The Beekeeper

Ok no this is not a standard Tori album. It's slow and melodic. But the lyrics rock and it's great to listen to. There is no song that I don't like. I can listen to this album straight through no problem.

This album is far from weak. Track after track of subtle, georgeous genius. There is plenty of 'tortured' lyrics and music in Tori's past recordings for us to enjoy. Let's appreciate this great album and grow with her and be thankful for her incredible generosity in sharing her talent. By FAR superior to just about ANYTHING out there.

I have been a Tori fan for many years. When I heard this lp it took me a few times to like this cd. Then I started to love Ribbons Undone, Power of Orange Knickers, Parasol,Sleeps With Butterflies, and The Beekeeper, etc. I would have to say you really should just let her lp's grow on you. You will find the song you didn't like at first will become a favorite later. I guess it's important to keep an open mind.

The Beekeeper by Tori Amos is an album I loved on first listen. I was shocked to discover that a lot of her fans hated this album. I couldn't understand why? It's gorgeous and very organic sounding. Parasol, The Power of Orange Knickers, Cars and Guitars, Original Sinsuality, Martha's Foolish Ginger, Toast, and Goodbye Pisces are absolutely beautiful. This is a long album but worth the journey, every song tells a story. I love Tori and don't pass this gem up! Enjoy.

Bought this CD on plastic around 5 years ago. Hated it. (not the Tori I thought I knew) Stumbled across it again while digging through my ITunes library/bogmire and It was MUCH better than I recalled. I'm missing Tori now and wanting to see how she's been doing (/cross fingers she's still around)