AT UND MG Jesus lizard will perform at The Blind Pig this Thursday. Show begins at 9:30 p.m. Call 996-8555 for more informa- tion. ARTS Tuesday May 5, 1998 Tori brings bold new material to St. Andrews ByJao Blrc"6 er Daffy Arts Writer One thousand enthusiastic Tori Amos fanatics crammed into Saint Andrew's Hall on Wednesday night to witness the exhibition of her most dar- ing journey yet into performance art. One of only 10 shows in North America, this exclusive performance was the frst chance for fans to see Tori perform with her new amplified quar- tet. Tori's past perfonnances featuring only herself and a piano have consis- tently been some of the most intense musical experiences. The new addition of a drummer, guitarist and bassist have only enhanced the concert experience with dynamics never before possible. Wednesday night's show was an .opportunity for Tori fanatics to hear songs from her new album "From the Choirgirl Hotel" before its release, as well as extravagant new versions of a few older songs. Things were tense as show-opener David Poe struggled to tame the army of Tori fanatics. Once Poe finished his short set, an arsenal of psychedelic multi-colored lights illuminated the stage. Various strategically placed mir- ror balls in preparation for Tori and her quartet spun across the claustrophobic walls of Saint Andrew's. The crowd erupted into piercing screams as, one by one, Tori's band- Mnatesentlredsthe stage, followed by the high priestess herself. The cacophony of affection was silenced as Tori began playing the opening gentle piano melody of "Black Dove"-her first of eight new songs to debut. Everyone listened closely to the angelic lyrics of the new song's first verse. Tori's bandmates remained in the shadows as the song began like any classic Tori song. The intimate silence surrounding Tori's voice and her piano was then violently destroyed with the transition from opening verse to cho- rus. - Tori juxtaposed her gentle lullabies with big tribal drum beats and overdriv- en sonic guitar eruptions. Blinding lights flashed and amplified instru- ments exploded as Tori screamed the cosmic revelation of "the other side of the galaxy." While every new song featured at the show possessed unique qualities wor- thy of philosophic contemplation, each shared several common characteristics. Phat rhythmic drum beats blended with deep bass; constantly altered gui- tar tones and metaphorical prose con- sistently aided a dynamic shift from a gentle lyrical verse to an uplifting cho- rus thick in layers of sonic revelry and symphonic strings. Other songs such as "Liquid Diamonds" and "Cruel" were seven- to 10-minute extended excursions into Portishead-style, big-beat, deep-bass, trippy guitar slow jams that had more than a few Tori fans grooving along. Old-school Tori fanatics not turned on by space-age rock and roll electron- ic stimuli will find several of the new songs to their liking. Songs such as "A Northern Lad" and "Jackie's Strength" lackt the drum beat backdrop and Toni Amos deep bass. As these songs evolve Saint Andrews from verse to April 29 chorus to verse, subtle slide guitar - and gentle ; beats almost subliminally appear to intensify the piano with profound framing. Though the new songs off"From the Choirgirl Hotel" stimulated the cogni- tive thought patterns of every Tori fanatic crammed into Saint Andrew's, the few, carefully reworked Tori clas- sics brought on euphoric dazzlement. "Precious Things" was the first song to get the enhancement. This updated version remained faithful to the origi- nal masterpiece while simultaneously becoming an exercise in dynamics, as the song drifted from acoustic piano to a combination of searing guitars, echo- ing feminine screams, structure-shak- ing bass notes and pounding drums. Other songs injected with new life included "Tear in Your Hand," "The Waitress" and "God." There was also a updated version of"Horses" with total- ly new lyrics immersed in an atmos- pheric musical setting of mysterious guitar noises and a melodic drum and bass arrangement. The entire show wasn't all Pink Floydian light shows and Grateful Deadesque jam sessions. The band exited the stage for a mid-set intermis- sion that Tori referred to as "secret time." Tori nostaligically collaborated with her piano on intimate songs such as "Here in my Head" and "Cloud on My Tongue.." The final encore of "Landslide" also consisted of good old-fashioned Tori, without all the rock and roll theatrics- a beautiful reworking of the Stevie Nicks' classic and an adequate song to end the evening. The lyrics "I've been afraid of chang- ing 'cause I've built my life around you" serve as an adequate summary of Tori's relationship to each crowd mem- ber who waited in line for over 10hours to get tickets to the exclusive show. Many fans may have been less than enthusiastic when Tori declared that she was going to tour with a band, but any- one lucky enough to witness her show at Saint Andrews will assure you that her new album is persaps her most artistic material yet. Both those who patiently waited to hear Tori perform her exclusive concert at St. Andrews and those who are less- er Tori fanatics can purchase her new release, "From the Choirgirl Hotel," today. ADRIANA YUGOVICH Tori Amos performed with intense emotion and a full band last Wednesday for 1000 packed in fans at St. Andrews Hall. 0 Intellectual freedom. Academic Standards. http://www.gofast.org Join us. ADRIANA YUG5VICH/Da'iy Attendants of Wednesday night's Tory show got a sneak preview of tracks from Amos' new release "The Choirgirl Hotel." The album Is avalable in stores today.