Excuse me but can I be you for awhile? A look at Tori Amos.
Written: Jan 05 '01 (Updated Jan 19 '01)
Product Rating:
Pros: Very good lyrics, exceptional music, every song is masterful
Cons: Are you kidding?
The Bottom Line: Tori Amos is a compelling, beautiful album filled with raw emotion and vibrant imagery. I recommend this album for its meaningful lyrics, exciting musicianship and emotional depth.
Monnie1976's Full Review: Little Earthquakes by Tori Amos
Whether you find her to be a gifted prodigy or a cryptic eccentric anyone who knows anything about music has to admit Tori Amos is a phenomenon. I realize this album has already received sixty plus reviews but I could not consider myself a music critic if I did not spend the time to review this performer. Caressing the piano like a gentle fairy one minute then banging it passionately while wailing like a possessed banshee the next, Tori Amos is music. Little Earthquakes unveiled a performer with searing depth and almost unnerving intensity. Each track on this album crackles with emotion and snaps with visuals.
The album begins with the potent song "Crucify".
"Every finger in the room is pointing at me
I want to spit in their faces, but I'm afraid of what that might bring
I got a bowling ball in my stomach, and a desert in my mouth
Figures that my courage would choose to sell out now"
Striking words describe so elegantly a woman who constantly belittles herself and searches her soul to figure out why she crucifies herself. She knows this is unhealthy but eloquently states "My heart is sick of being in chains." The piano plays Tori Amos almost as much as Tori plays the piano. The music is moving and this song plucks a chord deep within.
"Silent All These Years" opens with a beautiful piano motive and slowly builds on this musical idea. A song about isolation and loneliness this song has vivid lyrics and exciting crescendos as it swells and then recedes with emotion. Painting a portrait of a woman who has kept all her emotions inside and is scared those will eventually make her "choke on her tears" and make her one more casualty in life is truly a poetic notion and every word adds to the ambiance of the song. You will find no amateur lyrics are elementary writing on this album.
Anger pours from the keys as Tori artistically bangs the slightly dissonant beginning chords of "Precious Things". Every lyric manages to strike a balance between anger and vulnerability in a way other female artists can only attempt. Amos venomously makes the music climax as she spits out "With their nine inch nails and little fascist panties tucked inside the heart of every nice girl....". The piano then moves into a wonderful solo and she plays the piano with expressive nakedness.
Remember the feeling when you realized someone you love has no desire to be with you. When Tori gently sings the line "All the world just stopped now. So you say you don't want to stay together anymore." I guarantee all the hurt will come rushing back. "Tear In Your Hand" is a fantastic song about not understanding someone and honestly feeling if they just knew another side of you they would never leave. Definitely a wonderful example of poignant songwriting, this song just adds to the list of fantastic tracks on this album.
"Little Earthquakes" is another song that has a deep message when you examine the lyrics. I am not going to say how I interpret it because this is the kind of song that you have to make your own. The words are very thought provoking and can mean different things to different people.
"Happy Phantom" discusses how life would be different if one was dead and explores how a significant other would deal with the loss. A very interesting song, the piano is fantastic.
"Woohoo, the time is getting closer
Wohoo, the time to be a ghost...
Woohoo everyday we're getting closer
The sun is getting dim will it fade who we've been, yeah"
Every song on this album is profound and brilliant. Tori Amos has a distinctive voice, a genius for lyrics and an uncanny knack for taking the song and making it an experience. This is a very powerful album and isn't something to put on the stereo for a light afternoon of fun. This is an album to soul search to. This is an album you can use to figure out yourself. Most of all, this is an album to respect. I honestly feel this is one of the best albums to come out in my lifetime.
If you enjoy Tori Amos, make sure to check out Sarah Mclachlan and Kate Bush. I honestly feel she is the best of the three but do find I enjoy them very much as well
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