Prematurely Attracted to Sin

If you’re one of the fossils like me who still buy physical releases of albums, it’s probably worth noting that your local record shoppe may jump the gun a bit and sell you the album a day or two early. For instance, several people have reported that the standard edition of Abnormally Attracted to Sin is already available at some JB Hi-Fi stores in Australia. The release date down there is Friday, May 15th so just a day or so early. The same goes for much of Europe where the release date is also Friday, but we wouldn’t be surprised to hear about some stores in the UK or North America doing this as well, even though the release date in those markets is early next week. Something to keep your eyes out for if you are jonesin’ for the album, in any case!

Comic Book Tattoo: NOM NOM NOM

In the lull running up to this recent spate of album and tour news, we completely neglected to mention that Comic Book Tattoo was nominated in two categories for the 2009 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards! This anthology from last year which, as you may recall, fused comics and Tori’s music, has been recognized in the Best Anthology and Best Publication Design categories. We’ll find out the results in July at Comic-Con — one year after that very same event launched Comic Book Tattoo into the world.

Additionally, we just got word that Comic Book Tattoo is on the “long list” for a British Fantasy Award in the Best Comic/Graphic Novel category.

So, sincere, if belated, congratulations to editor Rantz Hoseley, designer Tom Mueller, the rest of the anthology’s creators, Tori, and Image Comics for these recognitions of a job well done! Our appendages are crossed for all three!

Sweeping Out the Savoy

Interestingly, few, if any, reviews of the Acoustically Attracted to Sin concert at the Savoy have popped up in the British press. Perhaps this is related to the postponement? Maybe some of the bigger newspapers have yet to publish their reviews? Or maybe England just doesn’t want her there anymore?

In any event, there have been some which we’ve added links to from the concert page in the tour section, including reviews by Little Blue World and Wears The Trousers contributor Alex Ramon, Kush for Pink is the New Blog and, of all sites, The Gossip Girls.

More than a few galleries of photographs taken at the show have surfaced as well: Gigwise and Drowned in Sound have some nice collections and several shots can be found at that review from the Gossip Girls as well. We’ve received several photographs taken by fans as well which have been posted.

Finally, it seems that all you have to do is play a one-off show in London to attract attention as both TMZ and Media Take Out took the opportunity offered by the new concert photos to offer the astute and scholarly commentary that only they could provide. Ah well, media attention is the goal, right?

Thanks to Lindsay, Stacy, Bob, Rebecca and Jennifer for helping out with this article.

BBC AATS Review

Are you tired of reading reviews of Abnormally Attracted to Sin yet? Nah, me neither. (Okay, well maybe a little!) But seriously though, Ian Wade has waded into the fray with his review for the BBC. It’s a little contradictory, saying the album “doesn’t disappoint,” but then goes on to lament its length and fuzzy focus.

Thanks to Ben for the tip!

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In The News AATS Review

In The News has reviewed Abnormally Attracted to Sin as well. While another positive review, it’s structured differently than most, answering several questions about the album and the artist upfront, aimed towards the non-fan, and then goes in-depth discussing the record. Check it out — and thanks to Kimberly for sending us the link.

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Metrosource AATS Review

Here’s a short and sweet review of the new record from Metrosource. More of a blurb than a review, so we’ll just stick it in the article directly. Thanks franco franus for the link.

Abnormal Growth
Abnormally Attracted to Sin (Universal Republic)

Following a pair of critically maligned records (2005’s The Beekeeper and 2007’s American Doll Posse), Tori is back in a major way. Her past few releases may have lacked the punch that we’ve come to know, love and obsess over, but Abnormally Attracted to Sin is more than just a breath of fresh air; it’s a positive return to form. Tori has attracted a rabid fan base ever since her debut album (1992’s Little Earthquakes) hit shelves, thanks in part to her raw honesty, vivid storytelling and otherworldly vocal range. Thankfully, that has all returned with Sin. Her strong stances on sexuality, religion and feminism are intertwined beautifully from the start to the finish of this impeccable record. All hail the triumphant return of Ms. Amos!

Babble Interview (May 11, 2009)

Some nights, when the performances haven’t gone the way I wanted, I’ll call her up and she’ll say, “Now, look, the question is not whether or not you’re a champion. The question is what can Mama do for you?” Sometimes you just need a hug. That’s all you need from Mom, to know that, whatever you do, she’s going to love you.

Parenting website Babble.com isn’t where you’d expect to find an interview with Tori about her new album but considering she just gave away a free mp3 of “Maybe California” for Mother’s Day, perhaps we shouldn’t be so surprised. As one would expect given the site’s focus, this interview features a lot of discussion about family — Tash, Mark and Tori’s parents — but also covers the well-trod ground of power and attraction and spiritual erotica, albeit with a softer bent. Read on for the rest…

Thanks to Rebecca for sending the link!

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Undercover.com.au AATS Review

Paul Cashmere’s Abnormally Attracted to Sin review for Australian entertainment website Undercover.com.au also contains the familiar refrain (“too long”) but he otherwise has good things to say about the album, saying that leaving Epic has resulted in a revitalization of her sound. Read on to see what else he has to say…

Thanks to kushyv for the tip!

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Gigwise AATS Review

Kate Horstead has reviewed Abnormally Attracted to Sin for the music website Gigwise, giving the record 3 of 5 stars. Despite the so-so rating, she has more than a few good things to say about the album and really only takes issue with its length — making it a pretty conventional review as these things go.

Thanks Kimberly for the link!

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Polari Interview Now Up!

The cover article in Polari magainze that we mentioned last week has now been posted on the magazine’s website for your viewing pleasure.

If you’re Flash-o-phobic like this Web 0.1 dork, they kindly offer an HTML version of the interview as well. Very considerate of them, don’t you think? Well, I appreciate it at least!