Tori Amos: Gold Dust

20 years on, Tori Amos is back with Gold Dust – an orchestral makeover to 14 classic tracks from her key albums.

Collaborating with the Metropole Orchestra, Tori’s 13th album is a collection of her greatest memories, now given a sonic upgrade and sense of having come full circle to her brief classical training at the Peabody Institute.

Gold Dust begins with a more full-bodied orchestral rendition of Flavor, whose combination of strings, woodwinds, and brass gives the song an intensity that boldly mirrors its lyrics.

The album also contains one of Tori’s most well known tracks, Silent All These Years. Taken from her breakthrough 1992 solo debut, Little Earthquakes,” the song is now accompanied by an orchestral finish that juxtaposes beautifully against the dissonance of her signature “bumble bee piano tinkle”.

Overall, Gold Dust is a good attempt at reinvention. That said, after the dust has settled, what we’re left with are still the haunting remains of Tori’s yesteryears.

If you’re already a fan, this album may have nothing new to offer. And if you’re not, this may be a good album to start off with.

So I’m giving Tori Amos Gold Dust 3 out of 5.

Watch my review of Tori Amos Gold Dust on AM Live! Channel NewsAsia