Sound: Eerie, stripped-down piano ballads that sound like they could have been recorded centuries ago. PJ always likes to challenge herself musically, but her 8th studio album is one of her most striking ventures. White Chalk is almost entirely acoustic and guitar-free (a major departure for her) and finds her channeling a higher, more haunting vocal register than usual throughout.
Heavy Rotation tracks: none
Medium Rotation tracks: “When Under Ether”; “Dear Darkness”; “The Devil”
Recommended: If you’re looking for any of the raw rock or electronic experimentalism that’s driven PJ’s music over the years, beware. You won’t find any of that on here. White Chalk is something completely different. The unsettling first half holds the attention and should be particularly appealing to fans of Tori Amos’ creepier moments. But as the album moves on, it sinks further into a dull darkness.
Grade: C+

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