It is here! The newest album by the one and only, devilishly talented and dashing beauty, Tori Amos, is in stores from now. It is titeled Midwinter Graces and was to be set in the concept of witner and Christmas season.
At first I had huge doubts whether a project like this will succeed, especially that I never considered Tori as a commercial artist. And which sesaon of the year is the most comercial one, if not Christmas? I couldn;t possibly imagine her recording a seasonal album and expected some freaky editions of "Let it Snow" etc.
But, all in all, my low expectations were unnecessary. The new album happens to be not only very coherent, but also quite unconventional, creating a very spiritual mood. _{(Some may not like it and prefer songs like Shakin Stevens' "Merry Christmas Everyone", underlining That's the Christmas spirit, not some moaning with a piano, but I don't give a sh*t about these people, honestly.)}
I'll try to write about each of the songs seperately, as I did with Abnormally Attracted to Sin.

What Child, Nowell - From the first listening, very lovely. I like Tori's quite dark take on the traditional carol. Even the sleigh bells in the chorus aren't that bad. It brings me back to the old, christian Christmas Eve, before the commerical blow. I like the musical arrangement a lot, too.
Star of Wonder - What a powerful song! I love Eastern, oriental taste of the stanza arrangement. And when the chorus breaks in, it makes your heart beat faster. It should be the first single, in my opinion.
A Silent Night With You - As I always think in images, rather than words, I can see the same peaceful winter, with a lot of snow in the town's streets, observed from a widnow of the old, victorian house, sitting in a cozy armchair by the fireside, as I see while listening to White Christmas. I find the 1940's mood really enjoyable in this song.
Candle: Coventry Carol - Someone has written before that is a baroque tune. I very much agree. And I don't consider this fact as destructive for the song. I'd like to hear it in some old, baroque church on Christmas night.
Holly, Ivy and Rose - At first I found the beginning a bit boring, but I like the way it flows through the bridge, where Tori sings with her daughter, into a very powerful chorus.
Harps of Gold - It is a strange song. Though I enjoy listening to it, it doesn't really fit the whole album. The electric guitar can be quite annoying and Tori mispronounces "In Exclesis Deo" (/in ex-shellsis deo ), what I can't accept as a Latin enthusiast. On the whole, the weakest track on the album. (But not BAD!)
Snow Angel - She's a real beauty, this song of hers. Tori did a wonderful job, creating something that makes me want to be a child again. The piano sounds very soft and pretty + a touching tune. Amazing.
Jeanette, Isabella - The piano is nice, makes me think of the falling snow, but so far, I can't use to it that much. Probably because it's too sweet, which is not my cup of tea.
Pink and Glitter - The title have frightened me, but not the song itself. It's teasing and sexy, has the tasteful mood of the old jazz club. The orchestra is fantastic, has the balls for good music! Tori sounds naughty and again, very 1940's, what I f*ckin' love.
Emmanuel - Beautiful in its own simplicity. Tori's voice sounds really good. I very much like the drums in the second stanza. Though I prefer Enya's version of this traditional carol.
Winter's Carol - My absolute no. 1 on the album. The piano is amazing, dark. I adore the way the song developes through the both bridges. I especially love the first bridge, it reminds me of Kate Bush'es December Will Be Magic Again, which is one of my most beloved Christmas songs. Brilliant.
Our New Year - I must admit that it had to grow on me, I didn't like it at first. But now I love it, it brings tears to my eyes. As it is a song about someone dear who passed away. The chorus tells it all: Lately I'm sure it's you there waving in the distance. Closer... the closer I get, disappointment tells, yes it tells: they just have the same colour of your hair. You're not there. I dare to think of dr Marek Edelman, each time I listen to this song, because I have never felt such sorrow after the death of any person, whom I have known. And he always celebrated his birthday on the New Year's Day.

_{I forgot to mention! I really don't like the album artwork. Especially the cover art. As far as the music is beautiful, the visual side of the album ruins the good impression. Badly photoshoped, Tori looks aftificial, the background is too simple and her clothes are just too much, I'm afraid. The angel looks as if he escaped from some amateur ballet show. I miss the Pele / Choirgirl photoshoots.
On the whole, I don't hate "Midwinter Graces" art, but I honestly think it's really bad.}

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Some new art to come. And I mean pencil art. Believe me, I have dozens of ideas and if I only had time and was healthy enough to draw everything I want, life would surely be worth living. ^^ But I have planned to do some portraits and I hope I will be able to finish them by the end of this year. In no particular order:
Suzanne Vega
Rowan Atkinson as Sir Edmund Blackadder
Tori (take no. ... I don't remember )
a surprise gift for
and probably more
Keep your fingers crossed!

Plus, I will be adding more London, Warsaw and Lublin photos soon.

Peace!