Thrill 4-13: Let's go genre-hopping {Ireland}

Sandwiched in between the two most serious points in the Beeekeeper album is a silly little song that might just be one of the most subversive things Tori ever wrote.

I think the reason why this song has mystified so many people, me included, is that we tried to take it seriously. When really what we should have been doing is enjoying the break being offered to our brains. We should have spent the time bopping our head from side to side, grinning inanely.

I've completely given up trying to analyze the lyrics, and I'm enjoying Ireland a lot more as a result. I think it was a wise decision. The verses are easily the weirdest and most cryptic of the entire album in my opinion. I've no doubt, this being Tori, that there is some hidden meaning for her buried down below, but she hasn't been this odd since Boys for Pele. And we all know that driving to Ireland makes no sense. That was the first clue, really, that we should be focusing on the music.

Which is almost as bizarre, but rather catchy once you've stopped choking on your breakfast. As best I can figure out, Tori Amos has gone where no sane musician has dared to venture and created a brand new musical style: Celtic Reggae.

Yes, I told you it was bizarre, weren't you listening?

It comes complete with a group of backing Toris singing "sha na na na" at every opportunity. I'm reminded again of Wendy Matthews, who I think of as the singer most likely to maintain her dignity while singing something like "sha na na na" (I'm sure she's done it, in fact, but the song title won't leap to mind). Tori comes perilously close to losing her dignity, but walking close to the edge of the cliff is not the same as falling off it.