Y KANT TORI READ - Y KANT TORI READ (1988, ATLANTIC)
Tori - vocals, piano
Steve Caton - guitars
Steve Farris - bass
Kim Bullard - keyboards
Paulinho DaCosta - percussion
Matt Sorum - drums
Robin Zander - backing vocals

Background
Before little Miss 'earthquake' Tori Amos made it big time with her brand of alternative/folk rock, she was part of another project which has been conveniently saddled into a dark closet never to see the light. From another time in her life during the eighties, when the music scene was quite different, Tori's approach was a typical Californian hard rock one, a far cry from where she is now. Apparently the album title is a joking reference to the talented pianist's inability to read sheet music, even when she was at Peabody Conservatory. Throughout the liner notes she's referred to simply as 'Tori'. In any case, there's no denying her ability. Her vocal warbling is somewhere in between E.G Daily, Kate Bush, and Bonnie Tyler. The E.G Daily reference point is quite apt, considering the over-produced and mechanised feel to the album: high stepping, lots of keyboard arrangements, and complicated percussive elements. Very similar to the Harold Faltermeyer workout on E.G Daily's 1985 'Wild Child' album.

The Songs
'The Big Picture', opening track and the only video culled from the album, certainly is a reminder of that mid-eighties bombastic pop period.. big drums, and keys all over the place. 'Cool Of Your Island' is slightly laid back, drifting easily on a lazy ocean of soft lyrics. Tori's vocal dabbles on 'Fayth' are a delight, and this track is one of my faves, very jazzy and urban. The introspective 'Fire On The Side' is a broody piece, followed by the hi-tech 'Pirates'. 'Floating City' is very dance flavored, while the racy 'Heart Attack At 23' perhaps reflects the mood of the song. The pairing of 'On The Boundary' and 'You Go To My Head' continue the upbeat pop attack. Perhaps the closest song to her current style is the 'Etienne Trilogy', very dreamy and mystical.

In Summary
For Tori fans, this will seem like a radical departure. For eighties melodic rock/pop fans, this will be right up your alley. This album would have to be a contender for being one of the most bootlegged CD's in the melodic rock genre, and you can bet your bottom dollar that Atlantic will not officially re-release it, given Tori's reluctance to alientate her current fan base.. which is understandable. YKTR it would seem, is confined to cult status, and will remain so: a victim of the eighties fashion..

Track Listing:
01 The Big Picture
02 Cool On Your Island
03 Fayth
04 Fire On The Side
05 Pirates
06 Floating City
07 Heart Attack At 23
08 On The Boundary
09 You Go To My Head
10 Etienne Trilogy - The Highlands
11 Etienne Trilogy - Etienne
12 Etienne Trilogy - Skye Boat Song

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Posted by gdazegod on August 19, 2003 · 2 Comments · 1089 Reads ·