TORI AMOS

Night of Hunters

[Deutsche Grammophon]

After a couple of missteps, Tori Amos gets back on track with Night of Hunters, a 14-song cycle that finds her adapting the music of classical composers to her own symbolism-packed mythical tale of a relationship gone sour. Throughout the course of her 11th studio effort—set to variations of works from Erik Satie, Frédéric Chopin and Claude Debussy, among others—Amos examines relationship recovery by meeting … well, yes, a shape-shifter named Anabelle (voiced by her daughter, Natashya) and a Fire Muse. OK, maybe the lyrics are a little confusing and precious, but no one can coax the dark amber hues out of a grand piano better than Amos, whose classical, colorful touch is beautifully enhanced by strings and reeds. “Edge of the Moon,” built on Bach’s “Siciliano,” is the most memorable melodic adaptation, with “The Chase” also stacking up hauntingly well against Mussorgsky’s “The Old Castle.” Night of Hunters is complex, bold and rewarding. –Nick Krewen