mellkinwa's Full Review: Under the Pink by Tori Amos
I really love Tori Amos. She is probably my favorite female singer (followed closely by Carole King and Sarah Brightman). I was a Junior is High School in 1992 the year I introduced to Tori. The Little Earthquakes album really moved me, with its emotional songs and the beautiful piano. I could not wait to get more Tori and in 1994 Under the Pink was released. This album has a bit more experimentation as far as the music goes (at least I think so). While I do not find this album as moving or emotional as Little Earthquakes it is still one of my favorites. This album had more than the piano for instrumentation this time around-strings, guitar, drums, hammond organ, bass. There are 12 songs on the CD and I like almost all of them.
Pretty Good Year (3:26) This is a great way to begin the CD. We have a nice light piano and Tori softly singing, building a little and softening again. The song swells and softens gently. Then a louder more rocking bridge "...What's it gonna take till my baby's alright?" Then back to the swells again. The overall effect makes for a very pretty song.
God (3:59) This was released as a single in the US but it did not get much play that I recall. It is still probably one of the better known Tori songs, has more of a rock beat than most of her other songs. If you are trying to get someone to listen to Tori, this song might be a good starting point.
God sometimes you just don't come through
God sometimes you don't come through,
Do you need a woman to look after you?
God sometimes you don't come through"
Bells For Her (5:22) has a really cool sounding harpsichord(?) being played throughout the song. The harpsichord is so gentle and soft that this song has an almost accapella sound to it. I am pretty indifferent on this song as far as lyrics go but the overall sound of the song is very nice. Just a pretty sounding, mellow song. Tori herself said "...the main thing about Bells is that there is no resolve, and that's what that whole song was saying. Can't stop what's coming, can't stop what is on its way. " Quote from The Baltimore Sun
Past The Mission (4:06) (Trent Reznor on backup vocals) One of my favorites on this album. This was supposedly released as a single in the US but I cannot remember ever hearing it on the radio. I have always linked Tori and Trent in my mind for some reason and so this song is like a dream come true. We have Tori singing soft and sweetly and Trent deep, almost whispering, under her vocals. It is a beautiful effect.
Baker Baker (3:18) This is my favorite on the album. To me it is about not being there for someone, not being available emotionally. "I guess you heard he's gone to L.A.
He says that behind my eyes I'm hiding
And he tells me I pushed him away
That my heart's been hard to find"
I love the soft, mellow sound and the swells of the piano and voice, and the lyrics really strike a chord with me.
The Wrong Band (3:03) Seemingly out of the blue comes The Wrong Band. It starts off very softly, mostly vocals but overall this is an upbeat sounding song, with almost bouncing piano playing and happy sounding vocals.
The Waitress (3:10) the beginning 15 seconds of this song sound really interesting. Again we have Tori's soft voice singing "So I want to kill this waitress She's worked here a year longer than I If I did it fast you know that's an act of kindness" but she screams out "But I believe in peace, I believe in peace bi*ch".
Cornflake Girl (5:07) (Guest vocals by Merry Clayton) This is another of the more well known Tori songs since it was also released as a single. Sort of peppy music with Tori showing off a little deeper vocal line with a brighter sounding chorus. There is also another interesting sound on the album which on further investigation turns out to be a Mandolin.
Icicle (5:47) is a sexual song. I really like the "naughty" imagery in this song compared to the almost childlike music in the beginning of the song. This song is just Tori and her piano, very mellow but very emotional sounding.
"and when my hand touches myself
I can finally rest my head
and when they say take from his body
I think I'll take from mine instead
Getting Off Getting Off while they're all downstairs
singing prayers sing away he's in my pumpkin p.j's
lay your book on my chest"
This song has a build up to a pounding piano and almost shouted vocals "I could have
I should have
I could have flown
you know I could have
I should have
I didn't so" that quickly drops back to the very soft tinkle of the piano and Tori softly crooning.
Cloud On My Tongue (4:43) almost sounds like a continuation of Icicle at first. Very soft vocal and music that builds very softly. This song is an interesting mix of sad and mad sounding. The rhythm of the song is pretty catchy and I often find this song stuck in my head after listening to this CD.
Space Dog (5:12) This is probably the funkiest song on the album. The lyrics and music are pretty different than anything else on the CD, not bad just different. "Lemon Pie
He's coming through
Our commander still Space dog
Lines secure Space dog"
Yes, Anastasia (9:33) Now I will admit I pretty much zone out on this song. There are just a few parts of it that really catch my attention. If I skipped any songs on this CD it would be this one.
Overall I think this album is great, a must have in any Tori collection. I also think that it might be a good introduction to Tori for people. Since it is not quite as emotional as Little Earthquakes it might be a little more accessible.
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