To Venus and Back

"To Venus and Back" (stylised in all lowercase) is a double album by American singer-songwriter Tori Amos, released on September 21, 1999. The album consists of her fifth studio work, Venus: Orbiting, and her first live album, Venus Live, Still Orbiting.

The first disc, Venus: Orbiting, showcases Amos's experimentation with electronica and trip hop, featuring singles like "Bliss," "1000 Oceans," "Glory of the 80's," and "Concertina." The second disc, recorded primarily during her Plugged '98 tour supporting From the Choirgirl Hotel, captures the energy of her live performances. This album reflects her artistic evolution, blending studio innovation with the intimacy of live music.

To Venus and Back was initially conceived as a live album paired with B-sides from Tori Amos's previous singles, along with some new tracks. However, the decision was made to develop the new material into a full album, leading to a more cohesive work. Most of the recording took place at Amos's Martian Engineering studio in Cornwall, England, featuring a lineup that included Steve Caton on guitar, Jon Evans on bass, and Matt Chamberlain on drums.

Musically, the album is characterized by a sparser production compared to From the Choirgirl Hotel, yet it retains the electronica influences and a subdued piano sound. Tracks like "Juárez" and the epic "Dātura" heavily incorporate electronic effects, creating a complex sonic landscape.

The lead single, "Bliss," became Amos's last entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 91, while also reaching number seven on the Canadian Hot 100. In describing "Bliss," Amos highlighted themes of control and the lasting impact of one's biological origins.

Other significant topics on the album include the tragic unsolved murders of female maquiladora workers in Ciudad Juárez, hallucinogenic plants in "Dātura," and references to historical figures like Napoleon Bonaparte in "Josephine."

The live disc, Venus Live, Still Orbiting, includes renditions of "Sugar" and "Purple People," both originally released as B-sides. Notably, the nine-minute track "Zero Point," recorded during the sessions, was not included on the album but was later released in 2006, with the liner notes hinting at its future significance.