After drop-kicking the sophomore jinx out of the ring on her second solo album, Into the Pink, Tori Amos has been caught in a strangle hold by the upper-class on her third release, Boys for Pele.’

Once again, Tori attempts to question and sometimes bash the religious system. But this time, instead of just questioning God, she jumps on Lucifer, Mohammed and Voodoo.

But on Pele, she does not present her arsenal in the form of past songs like the beautiful piano and strings melody Crucify from Little Earthquakes and God, from Into the Pink. On Pele, she is equipped primarily with only her voice and piano.

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After seeing Amos in concert, this may sound appealing, but Pele falls short of any heightened expectations listeners may have of the album.

Songs like Bed of Roses are reminiscent of many of her slow-melodic, piano-pop songs of the past. But without an entourage of other instruments, the song does not stand alone very well. Though the harpsichord shows an even darker side to Amos, the music is merely a skeleton with no substance.

But other songs like Caught a Lite Sneeze, are not reminiscent of anything from the Amos scrapbook. Though she is known for her great songwriting and her beautiful voice, on this track she sings off-beat and out of tune, like she is improvising her harmonics.

One bright point on the release is Marianne, which has the moodiness and story-telling much like Cornflake Girl. Though it is a pleasant song to listen to, it is one of few songs that stands out in the CD filled with mediocrity.