By Allesandro Rotondi

The second I turned on “Space Dog,” I wondered if I’d turned on a smooth Sonny Rollins jazz tune. Several seconds later, I felt as though I had been lurched into a 007 movie. The sneaking bass synthesizer drives the rhythm of the tune, and Tori Amos’ smooth vocals lurk in the distance with a spacey, reverberated echo that clearly represents the song’s title. The tune draws from many different styles and genres, and some of them come across as quite odd. However, like the title’s juxtaposition of words space and dog may suggest, this is an odd song.

Elements of jazz, funky guitar strumming, punky bass synths, and melodious classically-reminiscent piano playing are some of the many influences that can be heard melded together within this profound piece. Amos also sprinkles in moments of melodic dissonance, using suspenseful piano tones that lead to a cadence, in which all tension is resolved. Droning guitar tones also linger in the background, creating a spacey vibe that paints a picture for the listener, as though a dog were driving a moon rover through space. At times the beat is driving in a 4/4 time, straight rock style with full instrumental texture, and at other times, Tori transitions into a smooth bridge that flows with light piano, in a Romantic-era style reminiscent of Chopin. That being said—when looking at a list of standout 1994 tracks, you will likely see cuts from alternative, grunge, pop and punk bands like Weezer, Nirvana, Green Day, Bush and The Cranberries. But among that list, you may find a more difficult to pinpoint Under The Pink track. Among this list, Tori Amos’ sound, exemplified on “Space Dog,” is something fresh, unique, and different. It is unlike the stereotypical grunge and alternative styles that define the era to newer generations, and even comes off as a breath of fresh air beside the often cookie-cutter Top 40 pop music of today.

Tori Amos breaks free of pop expectations and rules, to create music for herself. And that’s something that never goes out of style.