blindsider's Full Review: Little Earthquakes by Tori Amos
Tori Amos was one of those artists I always imagined myself getting into eventually, but I never took the time to work at it. See, I'm a big procrastinator, and involving myself deeply into music is a process -- unfortunately, I perpetually delay it despite it being such a beautiful experience. Anyway, countless people I know with similar tastes in music seemed to worship at the altar of Tori, so it was only a matter of time. Finally, I randomly heard "1,000 Oceans" a couple years ago and knew this woman's music was most definitely for me. Why it took me so long to actually buy one of Tori's albums, I'm not quite sure, but it probably had something to do with my ever-present procrastination flaw.
After hearing heapings of praise for Tori's "debut" Little Earthquakes (she'd previously released Y Kan't Tori Read, but apparently, it's the black sheep of all that is Amos), I assumed it would be the most proper starting point. This album is a journey of alarmingly blunt lyrics, dark piano melodies, and a jarring outlet of emotions that most would prefer to keep private. Tori's voice is nothing short of amazing; many acknowledge it as an acquired taste, but it's something I fell in love with immediately. The outstanding thing about Little Earthquakes is the multiple array of feelings Tori expresses. Few artists can emote pain, fondness, sarcasm, or envy quite like this.
Little Earthquakes has a fitting opener in "Crucify," a headfirst dive into Tori's world. Lyrically, "Crucify" deals with how people are much too hard on themselves. The way she turns the feelings of being afraid to speak out into bizarre, flowing poetry is certainly something to admire: I've got a bowling ball in my stomach, a desert in my mouth is one of multiple lines that continued to resonate with me after my initial listenings of this song. "Silent All These Years" stands out because of its moving piano introduction and Tori's stunning vocals. This song touches on a similar topic as "Crucify" -- here is a tale of a woman accidentally finding her voice at the most necessary time. "Silent All These Years" is often interpreted as being strictly about an abusive relationship, but I view it as a bittersweet song about life in general and how everyone eventually has to find their own specific form of bravery within themselves.
So you found a girl who thinks really deep thoughts
What's so amazing about really deep thoughts?
The ballad "Winter" is one of the most recognized Tori Amos songs. I believe its raw beauty lies in its eloquent, simple piano arrangement and powerful lyrics. Here, Tori reflects on conversations with her father when she was a young girl. The metaphors of winter transforming into spring correlate with her transition into adulthood, creating startlingly beautiful imagery that truly comes alive within Tori's fragile, animated, dramatic vocal performance. Then there's "China," which I firmly believe to be Little Earthquakes' standout song. "China" tackles the pain of a long-distance relationship and the pure agony of realizing you're growing apart from someone special. Never before have I encountered a love song so REAL. I am consistently stunned by the genuine sadness this song brings forth. The pianos are dainty one moment and sweeping, almost majestic, the next, while Tori's pleas are full of longing and discord: "Sometimes, I think you want me to touch you / HOW CAN I when you build the Great Wall around you?"
"Tear in Your Hand" may be more accessible than "China" and not quite as beautifully devastating, but it also treads on the topic of broken relationships. I see this song as more cheery sounding in its arrangements, as the piano melody is unbelievably catchy and Tori splatters some "ah, ah" background chants throughout the song. Additionally, I can't discuss "Tear in Your Hand" without referencing the clever line "I don't believe you're leaving 'cause me and Charles Manson like the same ice cream." Underneath the wit, Tori's voice sounds as if it is sincerely breaking. Perhaps the thing I find most striking about Little Earthquakes is represented here, in the fact that it sounds as if Tori truly aches more with each word that exits her mouth. It makes for some extraordinary music.
Closing Little Earthquakes with a bang are the a-cappella "Me and a Gun" and the epic title track. "Me and a Gun" recounts Tori's rape that occurred a few years prior to the recording of this album. Attempting to describe it musically is rather difficult. The fact that it is nothing more than Tori's trembly voice (here at nearly a whisper) creates an even more unsettling atmosphere. This is a detailed unfolding of the emotions she felt during the traumatizing experience, and to say the very least, it is chilling. "Little Earthquakes" is slow-building and initially quite melancholic, but it closes the album wonderfully, and on a surprisingly uplifting note. I see it as a song about remembering hardships, but trying to rebuild. Give me life. Give me pain. Give me my...self again is repeated multiple times toward the song's end, and I feel this is the song's peak -- written down, it may seem trite, but the process of hearing the words feels different and exponentially more meaningful.
Little Earthquakes is a bittersweet whirlwind of accusation, being accused, remembering, grieving, and trying. I cannot even begin to count the number of times I have listened to one of these songs while thinking, Yes. It frequently feels like Tori's lyrics are my own thoughts, just phrased considerably more eloquently (and, okay, much "weirder" too), and that alone is enough for an album to deserve my attention.
The music here can not be pinned down to one genre, as I know the most die-hard Tori fans honestly range from those who dig nothing more aggressive than Sarah McLachlan to those who usually prefer the most extreme metal genres. Obviously, I fall somewhere in between, and I can really say that Little Earthquakes is a must-have. Those drawn to emotional music and awesome female voices will undoubtedly find something to love about it.
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