By Elyssa A. Goldstein

On her ninth album, The Beekeeper, Tori Amos shines on all levels. This concept album is unlike anything Amos has released before, with her usual long list of tracks divided into six separate gardens the listener must navigate through. Each garden personifies a different relationship within a woman’s life, but every garden stems from one Christian woman’s attempt to “journey through the coming storm.”

Amos extensively researched the history of Christianity and its roots in a patriarchal society, along with the bee-keeping profession and bees themselves. Themes range from the balance between men and women (illustrated musically by the contrast between the female-dominated piano and the male-dominated organ) and the mysteries surrounding death.

The album begins like 2002’s Native-American influenced Scarlet’s Walk. “Parasol” is similar to “Amber Waves” in its “play it safe” nature, but the similarities end there. Amos has no problem crafting unique compositions, but this record forays into musical genres she previously untouched or underused. For example, songs such as “Sweet The Sting,” “Witness” and “Ireland” employ funky jazz melodies that open up yet another window to her musical soul.

The two gardens that make the record so brilliant are “The Orchard” and “Roses and Thorns.” All six tracks are brilliant vocally and instrumentally with gorgeous piano lines and soothing lyrics. “Original Sinsuality” highlights the story of Adam and Eve’s plight in the Garden of Eden. “Jamaica Inn” has an acoustic feel provided by the use of an upright bass and mandolin. “Sleeps With Butterflies” is the album’s crowning achievement, featuring a piano line that transports the listener into a new realm of musicality.

The only disappointing effort on the album is seen in Amos’ collaboration with Damien Rice on “The Power Of Orange Knickers.” Rice’s vocals only hinder Amos’ performance. If the intention was to display male-female interaction, Amos could have chosen a better outlet.

The album concludes on a stellar note with “Toast.” The instrumentation is simple, but the mood of the piece is perfect for relaxing the listener and providing them with one last bit of solace before the record ends.

The Beekeeper is one of Amos’ best records to date. It takes successful risks, but stays within the confines of what her fans are used to. It is rare that a concept album is so artfully created, but if any musician were to achieve such a feat, it would be Tori Amos.

The Chronicle gives ´The Beekeeper´, by Tori Amos four 1/2 out of five stars.