Religious desk

new yorker (NY): i’m just saying that if one desk should fit 3 persons and then there’s clearly another desk next to it -unused- it will be so effective and rewarding if one from the three makes use of the unused. So not only does that give more space for the other two, but it also gives sense that it doesn’t belong to being unused.

almost-gringo (AG): WHAT DO YOU MEAN BELONGING? THIS IS AN ACTIVE WORKING COMPANY NOT SOME RELIGIOUS BELIEF SYSTEM. NO BELONGING.

NY: umm…. I am not talking anything religious. I am talking about desks?

AG: I SAID NO RELIGION ATTACHED!

NY: …..

Abnormally Attracted to Reviewing

I am quite fortunate to have contributed my writing piece for Time Out Jakarta. It was my personal insight review for the dwn of Tori Amos’ new album Abnormally Attracted to Sin. Now, I have been a fan of hers since 1997, I think I could relocate a few things about her over the years and sum them up to confront this new born record.

3.5 stars out of five. I guess I have to put down my eagerness as an “Ears with Feet” to fully support Tori Amos’ music and put on my role as an unbiased music reviewer so 3.5 stars to me, feels sufficient. I wouldn’t say it’s as ground-breaking as Little Earthquakes or emotionally raging as Boys For Pele, but it’s definitely better than The Beekeeper (which I would have given 2.5 stars).

I will dissect the album in a more intimate discussion very soon, but for now here’s a little peek at how my writing looked like on the music section page.

CD Reviews (July)

Album of the month
Tori Amos
3.5/5 stars
Abnormally Attracted to Sin Universal
Tori Amos’ tenth solo album (not counting the 1988 release of ‘Y Kant Tori Read’, the poorly reviewed soft-metal album by her band of the same name), is a departure from 2007’s soul-searching ‘American Doll Posse’ and a return to the dark, atmospheric style of ‘From the Choirgirl Hotel’. With more than 15 tracks (the fourth consecutive time her albums have included this number since 2002’s ‘Scarlet’s Walk’), the record explores sexual liberation and feminism, something that Amos has been a keen advocate of since 1992’s ‘Little Earthquakes’.
There are a number of tracks worthy of note: the album’s first single, ‘Welcome to England’, follows Amos’ more mainstream preference of melodies; layers of electric and acoustic guitars blended with her fervent voice. Meanwhile, opening track ‘Give’ creates an eerie, lost-in-space kind of atmosphere and the soft, sultry ballad ‘Maybe California’ tells the tale of a mother on the brink (one of those tunes likely to bring a tear to the eyes of fans when played live). Amos also takes the opportunity to indulge her anger towards America’s dysfunctional, most notably in ‘Strong Black Vine’. Amos takes a swipe at the media too, when, in ‘Curtain Call’, she states: ‘By the time you’re 25 they will say you’ve gone and blown it’. The album culminates in an eight-minute long soothing jazzy track, ‘Lady in Blue’.
Fans will rue the fact that ‘Abnormally Attracted to Sin’ would have been a killer record if Amos had been a more vigilant editor. Too many tracks do not contribute to the album as a whole, while others are just plain boring: ‘500 Miles’, ‘Police Me’, ’That Guy’ and ‘Not Dying Today’ would have best served as B-sides. Nevertheless, the album still serves as a distinctive addition to this American troubadour’s achievements. Luky Annash

real power is about exchange not subordinate

Violence and seduction are a ticking bomb. I think it goes back to the powerlessness some people feel. They feel so emasculated that they get angry or seek attention from a place that they shouldn’t. For someone to get off on another person screaming, the wires have got crossed somewhere. When you’re dealing with people with real power they only want you if you’re willing. It’s about the dance between you and them.

 

Real power is about exchange, not subordination.

 

For some people a powerful man is a bully. He’s powerful because he scares people. And I would say that’s not a powerful man – that’s an intimidating man, a man who uses intimidation tactics. A powerful man is a man that knows who he is and doesn’t need to manipulate people to get what he wants

I am piecing a potion to combat your poison

If I had a double tongue, I would congratulate myself. As weird and unexplainable as that sounds, things have been rather resembling themselves. Sometimes it takes a minute to quickly understand what the circumstance is, but then there are some others that feel like they’re in joint ventures to sum up what confusion is really about. And I could tell you, they give me long pauses for as long as I could remember. I may sound babbling but I seriously am not.

I wouldn’t say turning 25 a few days ago was the chirpiest thing to go through, but it’s definitely not my coming-of-age downfall (although it seems that there aren’t many contraries to maintain anyway). But I believe I am on my own way. I have my own hell to raise and I will be risen. Thank you Tori. Thank you Amanda. Thank you ice cream.

“I am piecing a potion to combat your poison”

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