Episode 9: American Doll Posse || Posse Popping and Wig Snatching

Messing with the Master: Tori Amos

Ever feel like just being someone else? With the regal and roaring opus American Doll Posse, Tori Amos gave her listeners permission – and a psychic road map – to become the characters who hide in plain sight in all of our brains; even the “character” of ourselves. With healthy doses of showmanship and flamboyance, American Doll Posse saw Amos sonically embracing a towering, modern production style tinged with classic and country rock elements. No stranger to being a sonic character actress exploring roles, ADP’s real gag was stunningly Cindy Sherman-esque: Amos would manifest her characters in a new way, by literally becoming four distinct women who each represented aspects of her own personality. Enter Clyde, Isabel, Pip and Santa -aka the Posse. Taking a page from David Bowie’s glittery glam rock opera playbook, not only would Amos portray the characters in song and for the album’s still photography, she would also be portraying them -and performing as them- in full costume nightly at her live shows. 🤯🤯🤯 While she may have fully disappeared into each character, the moment you realize Tori Amos is also playing “Tori Amos” as a character in a sequined American Flag jumpsuit, the winking concept clicks, and every lighter in the arena goes up in the air. While each of the Posse gals gets their moment in the spotlight, the overall through line of the ambitious ADP is unity, strength in numbers, as five powerful women band together to deliver a ferociously righteous rock and roll sermon about how the patriarchy needs a good old-fashioned slap across the fucking face. Dontchu for-get to join Kristen, Matt and Joey to take a closer look at one of the most audacious records and eras of Tori’s career. Hold onto your wigs, and strap in tight for the wild ride of Messing With The Master, American Doll Posse. This one’s for the MILFs.

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