Thrill 4-9: Leave your Y-chromosome at the door {Ribbons Undone}

[Yes, due to popular demand tonight's review is a double-header!]

Despite the fact that Tori Amos' work is often so obviously the work of a woman (witness the entire concept behind Strange Little Girls), I've never felt excluded from understanding one of her songs at a deep level.

Until now.

Ribbons Undone is so blatantly and obviously a song about motherhood, in a sentimental fashion that seems to be a unique trait of Americans (for the male equivalent, one need look no further than "Butterfly Kisses") that I found myself reaching for the skip button on several occasions. Only reaching, mind you. I never quite did it, because I believe in giving all songs a chance no matter how often they fail me.

Okay, almost all. I turn the radio off every time that Bloodhound Gang song about the Discovery Channel comes on because I believe it to be the most meritless piece of "music" to hit the airwaves in decades. And remixes are not songs.

Anyway, the point is that I don't hate Ribbons Undone. I just find it really hard to connect with. My urge to press 'skip' is largely because the first part is so slow - there's nothing here either musically or lyrically to make me want to continue listening. Things look up markedly at "she runs like a fire...", not only because the pace increases but also because the music somehow emphasises its Celtic side. Celtic music is not sweetly sentimental in the way that American music can be.

The good work is temporarily undone by the line "You're a girl", or rather the backing vocal repetition of it. Heck, mostly it's just the word girl. This and the next couple of backing vocals sound like they're the work of Kelsey Dobyns, who apparently is Tori's niece.

*Puts on his Simon Cowell hat...*

Either the required genes didn't go through that line of the family, or she needs to spend a lot more time having singing lessons before ever being let loose in a studio again.

Bottom line: I'm not grinding my teeth by the end of 4.5 minutes, in fact I can now happily let this one play. Nevertheless I'm not even close to riveted and I'm quite thankful it's not any longer than it is.