On her tenth studio album — and the first since signing an independent distribution deal with Universal Republic Records — Tori Amos continues to prove that she is one of the most interesting and prolific artists of the past 20 years.

By now, most people already know whether or not they like Amos — whether her flair for experimentation and deep contemplation comes across as profound or bogged-down. Abnormally Attracted to Sin definitely isn’t her most artistically ambitious album; while it does have an overarching theme that weaves the songs together, it doesn’t utilize the kind of framing devices found on earlier albums, like 2001’s Strange Little Girls and her last LP, American Doll Posse.

For those who aren’t familiar with her work, Abnormally Attracted to Sin serves as a good introduction. Amos is an excellent pianist and, despite the use of drum-machines and synths, the piano remains at the forefront of every song. Her lyrics explore themes like religion, love and feminine identity in great detail, as usual. Although the album boasts 17 tracks, it’s nowhere near the longest album in her collection.

The album begins with tracks like “Give” — a sparse and haunting number about religious devotion –- the “Kashmir”-esque “Strong Black Vine” and lead single “Welcome to England.” At first, it looks like Amos has created the perfect somber soundtrack for this “June gloom” we’ve been experiencing in Los Angeles as of late (although the album was released back on May 19th).

But as soon as it seems like the album is heading in that direction, Amos pulls the rug out from under with pop-rocker “Not Dying Today.” She’s full of defiant, life-affirming spirit on this one, backed by a rousing drum beat and popping bass-line. This song is a perfect way to ease any novice into Amos.

Only “500 Miles” would serve as a better introductory song. This is the consummate “pop” track of the album. Crisp guitars, understated drums, and Amos’s soaring vocals bring this to melodic crescendos, balanced occasionally with bare bridges and distorted minor chords. Everything comes together so well on this song — a perfect example of everything pop music can and should be.

Amos also has a penchant for the bizarre, as exemplified by one of the album’s later tracks, “Mary Jane.” Even though this album doesn’t revolve around shifting narrators for each song, this one is told from the point of view of a mother speaking to her son about using “Mary Jane.” The drug is personified as a girl, and it examines adolescent use in a funny way, even name-checking the chemistry with a reference to “Dr. Tetrahydrocannabinol Pure Isomer Dronabinol.”

While it isn’t her most experimental album, fans and unfamiliars alike should find something to enjoy on Abnormally Attracted to Sin. It’s a long, heady piece of contemporary art and probably not suited for the casual listener. But, for a searcher like Amos, it offers many avenues for musical and personal exploration.


"Fire to Your Plain" - Tori Amos