Over the years, Tori Amos' fans have treasured her rich, quirky studio albums and her powerful live performances. On the double-disc "To Venus and Back," Amos delivers both.

The 11 new songs on "Venus" range from hypnotic and rhythm-heavy to airy and romantic. Some -- like the subtly spooky "Suede" and the vengeant "Juarez" -- recall Massive Attack or Nine Inch Nails. But Amos' trademark piano ballads are also present, including "Josephine" and "Lust," whose melodies convey a timeless longing.

"Venus'" second disc includes live material culled from her 1998 tour, and showcases Amos' ability to write solid rock songs -- and adapt her solo material to a full-band format. "Sugar," once melancholy, becomes triumphant here; "Waitress" is transformed into an 11-minute jam that would make Led Zeppelin proud. Older tunes like "Girl" and "Little Earthquakes" coexist comfortably with newer ones, including a gorgeous solo rendition of "Cooling."

Amos is a songwriter of incredible potential who hasn't yet recorded her masterwork. Still, "To Venus and Back" provides a testament to her power as a live performer, as well as her versatility as a composer.

-- Beth Winegarner

This article was originally published in the San Francisco Chronicle.