Tori Amos
Midwinter Graces - UNIVERSAL
FILTER Grade: 69%

In the ’90s, Tori Amos monopolized nonsense. She once wondered if “25 bucks and a cracker” were enough to get her to heaven, and she was mistress of what she was—or wasn’t—singing. Almost 20 years since Little Earthquakes was released, nonsense got the best of Amos when her producer asked her to compile a Christmas album. Thankfully, Amos barely saved Midwinter Graces from the legion of washed-up rocker carols by judiciously sprinkling the album with her signature quirks. The first song, “What Child, Nowell,” makes you cringe with vicarious embarrassment, but you’ll be glad to hear Amos’ crystalline voice return from its hiatus during her last few albums. Her enunciation is incredibly intimate; you can almost feel her breath on your eardrums. If the maudlin tone of these solstice songs doesn’t kick start your seasonal depression, you could play the album as you brew wassail. Amos orchestrates harpsichords and tubular bells with madrigal simplicity. The record certainly has its hiccups, such as when Amos sexily moans, “from the east—frankincense” in “Star of Wonder,” but overall, she plays it safe, which we must thank her for. Amos said she wanted to reclaim the songs from religious appropriations, but in the end, she just barely saved us all from complete shame.