Little Earthquakes

China is a ridiculous song and I still can't figure out what is going on in it. I love it. The album has so many different sounds with each different song and I liked a lot of them. The lyrics were strange and surreal some times, but I always enjoyed the story told. 4 stars, I would like to listen to this again some day.

Its like if you merged Alannis Morissette, Bjork and Kate Bush and it didn't work.

Powerful. Her voice is amazing, passionate and varied and the piano work perfectly accompanies the pieces (though clearly Me and a Gun is stark and painful with just her voice).

Listened Before? Y This… is one of my favorite albums of all time. Tori Amos in her prime. Complex lyrics that completely capture the emotions intended, beautifully composed and performed music. A classic. Added to Library? Y

This is insanely good. Left me with chills. Standout tracks: all of them but I guess "Silent All These Years," "Leather," "Little Earthquakes"

Pretty fucking epic. So many very-good-to-great songs (“Crucify,” “Girl,” “Silent,” “China” and “Little Earthquakes” and “Tear in a Hand”). There’s a likable consistency to the tone and arrangements (centered on vocals and piano), and yet enough variety to keep listeners consistently engaged. Her voice is classic (if occasionally overextended) and the playing and instrumentation offer lots of grace notes and nice touches. This is way better than I remember (heard a lot when it came out) and has aged extremely well (even improved), an easy 4.5, even accounting for the fact that it was one of my ex-wife’s favorite records, and rounding up for overall excellence.

This album has clearly been influential for a lot of future indie women artists, but I don't think these songs hold up.

I feel like I can't give it 1 star, but I wanted to

This is what Fiona Apple would sound like if she was twice as generic and half as talented.

I feel like I should like Amos (or at least appreciate her) but .. I mean, it's just a really annoying album. Amos comes off as a cut-rate Morrisette and every track grates on the ear. The album is entirely populated with noisy, cardboard songs sung with more energy than skill and oddly lacking in anything approaching passion. I never get the impression that she actually cares about anything she's singing about. And the constant, often atonal warbling and wailing quickly gets legitimately painful. It's fingernails-on-a-chalkboard levels of cringe.

Love

Very surprising and great album. Loved "Crucify", "Winter".

Listened to all through high school.

Really good voice!

Vocal e piano são o ponto forte. Crucify parece um misto de música ocidental com oriental, maior pira

Excellent

Such a good album

Double yass! Like so many people, I discovered Tori Amos via Professional Widow. This album is not like Professional Widow. Most tracks are a simple piano/singer combo, and while the style is very familiar to those who grew up in the 1990s, it holds up still. Amos is earnest, emotionally aware and just plain splendid. One of the best albums ever recorded.

Alanis Morissette wishes

Prachtig natuurlijk.

Geweldig album! Staat nog altijd als een huis.

Lobed

Piano girl popped off, haunting vocals, sick hooks and she's CRAZY FOR THE SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT COVER. i love you and in the pink even more

One of the greatest albums of all time.

Classic

Superb. Before Tori Amos the only really groundbreaking female piano artist was Kate Bush. Many other artists were making bland, upbeat numbers which never really stood out. Along came Tori talking about masturbation, unrequited and lost love, religious oppression and many other things that made her stamp on the world. This album is a masterpiece.

Absolutely beautiful, a lot of these tracks are perfect. "All These Years" and "Me and a Gun" are proof that music can literally break me.

Really good soundscape, which makes sense due to her Chromesthesia. Truly beautiful, somewhere between PJ Harvey and Rufus Wainwright.

This is one of my favorites! I saw Tori in concert not too long ago — she’s still making great music. “Boys For Pelé” is my favorite of her records, and “Little Earthquakes” might be my third favorite. She wasn’t afraid to speak up about things and assert her musical style. This record in particular touches on many different songwriting/piano approaches, so you get to see some of her range. She did indeed make some little earthquakes before making even bigger ones with her later success!

Far from being my favourite genre, but this is an amazing record and Tori has an amazing talent for songwriting. "Me and a Gun" is a truly heartbreaking piece that will forever stick with me. Favourite Tracks: - Precious Things - Crucify - Winter - Me and a Gun - Little Earthquakes - Silent All These Years - Girl - Leather Overall Grade: 5/5

A voice from a girl's heart

One of the rightful heirs to the Kate Bush throne

9/10

So good, still, after all these years.

The first real masterpiece I’ve discovered on this list.

Great

hun er forelskende

This was very good! A lot of songs sounded surprisingly familiar, and there was enough really good stuff on here that I'm happy to round up to 5

9/10. This was excellent, enjoyed every song, maybe even worth a 10.

I always liked Tori, although I see why some don't, she's a bit dramatic....but this album has some nice melodies for sure

Great album, great singer.

A lot of unique textures and sounds. The good songs are really good. I definitely could see myself liking this album a lot upon further listens.

At first I wasn't wild about this one, but I ended up loving its songwriting, performances, and production.

I think this sort of music hasn't aged particularly well. Pleasant enough to listen to, but didn't really grab me.

A lot of this album was beautiful storytelling and poetic sounds- and then Man with a Gun hits you at the end of it. Fuck, dude.

very pretty. me and my gun was very emotional

this took a while to warm up I think but, i liked the style, it was passionate with strong lyricism and piano and was overall v nice. ‘Leather’ = 😍😍😍

The song appears as light filament once I've cracked it. As long as I've been doing this, which is more than thirty-five years, I've never seen the same light creature in my life. Obviously similar chord progressions follow similar light patterns, but try to imagine the best kaleidoscope ever—after the initial excitement, you start to focus on each element's stunning original detail. For instance, the sound of the words with the sound of the chord progression combined with the rhythm manifests itself in a unique expression of the architecture of color-and-light. ... I started visiting this world when I was three, listening to a piece by Béla Bartók; I visited a configuration that day that wasn't on this earth. ... It was euphoric.[17] At five, she became the youngest student ever admitted to the preparatory division of the Peabody Conservatory of Music.[18][19] She studied classical piano at Peabody from 1968 to 1974.[18] In 1974, when she was eleven, her scholarship was discontinued, and she was asked to leave. Amos has asserted that she lost the scholarship because of her interest in rock and popular music, coupled with her dislike for reading from sheet music.[

Great album, some sings seemed to me to be a little sleepy vibe, but I wouldn´t be surprised to give it a 5 one day.

I knew the name but am not sure if I've ever listened to Tori Amos before. Honestly, I didn't even know it's a woman. It was a very nice listen. A lot of emotion and musical depth. But I didn't find it gripping enough to see myself actively listening to much more of it.

Great. A lot of variety in a seemingly simple album.

A lot of attractive different tracks in one album.

It's giving Kate Bush Favorites: Crucify Girl Precious Things China

Great album!

Reminds me of college, in some good ways in some bad. 4*

univers

Listened to this album twice before -- O woman you!! But the end lags a little bit. I love the energy of precious things, happy phantom, and girl :)

I loved this album when it first came out. Today, it has lost a little, but still holds up. Silent All These Years is still such a great song.

Singer-songwriter albums have been incredibly hit-or-miss for me in this venture - this is a hit. Crazy good album that I was not expecting to like this much. It's sad as fuck at times, and Me and a Gun is chilling and heartbreaking, but never did I feel bored or think the songs sounded too similar. Her vocal inflections on China are one example of the variety throughout, the piano on Leather another Saved: Winter, China*, Leather

Soulful ballads, heartfelt emotion coupled with haunting piano makes for a good listen

Reminiscent of a more reserved Kate Bush, the songs range from starkly intimate to anthemic. A captivating album

Kate bush men hon heter int. Bör höras före död. De här e senare eirik som skriver när ja lyssnar klart albumet. Ja va hög som fan när ja sa att de här e som kate bush. De fanar dock. Ännu senare eirik här. De här e nog lite kate bush ändå. Fanar dock!!!

I really liked this. At first I thought it was a bit nothingy, but as it went on I really warmed to it. Good lyrics, some good musical choices.

Male trzesienia ziemi to jeden z najlepszych solowych projektow jakie lista do tej pory wyplula, przez solowych mam na mysli, ze jest to spektakl jednego aktora w tym przypadku Tori Amos, o ktorej slysze pierwszy raz, ale musialem juz ja gdzies slyszec, bo mam dziwne uczucie deja vu slyszac ten glos, potezny material, bo blisko godzina na 12 kawalkach, wszystkie napisane i skomponowane przez pania Amos, dodatkowo jest ona wspolproducentem czesci trakow, gatunkowo nazwalbym to popowym rokiem z tej ambitniejszej strony, wiec rownie dobrze mozna uzyc okreslenia alternatywnego rokowania, bo chociaz material popularny, to nie posiada on kawalkow radiowych, zarowno minimalistyczne brzmienie oparte na klawiszach, w ktore klika wlasnie pani Amos, zarowno klawisze elektrykowych bordow jak i fortepianowe da sie uslyszec podczas odsluchu, tak tez od strony liryczej jest to raczej trudny material, a moze ciezki bedzie lepszym okresleniem, bo glownymi motywami sa oczywiscie traumatyczne doswiadczenia zwiazane z edukacja seksualna, dorastaniem wsrod wartosci chrzescijanskich, feminizmem, ogolnym niezrozumieniem, wiec all that jazz, ale i tak najwazniejsze jest brzmienie jakie pani Amos stworzyla na tym materiale, mezzosopran w polaczeniu z minimalistycznymi klawiszami i dodatkowymi instrumentami granymi przez studyjnych najmenikow, wiec stringi wiolaczelowe, czy skrzypkowe, akustykowe gitarki, no i basiki, tworza spojna kompozycje, dawno nie sluchalo mi sie tak dobrze samego wokalu, glos jest naprawde czarujaco autentyczny, z plejkowych pickow dodam najabardziej winter, jako jeden z bogatszych instrumentalnie kawalkow, bogaty takze w motyw dorastania i niezrozumienia, kolejnym bedzie leather, ktory stara sie byc bardziej jazzowa niz rokowa kompozycja, co tez robi w ciekawy sposob progresujac klawiszami i elementami gitarki elektrykowej

I really enjoyed Crucify, Precious Things, and Leather. Tori has a great voice. This album was a nice surprise and a pleasant listen.

Bloody brilliant. Still feels fresh 30 years on.

Brilliant. Always loved this album. 4/5

On the edge of pop and experimental, I will give it a chance

Lyrically potent; incredible instrumentals; harrowing and exciting, Amos has a fantastic voice packed with emotion

Wauw, lang niet gehoord maar wat een prachtige plaat! Ik was geneigd 5 sterren te geven, maar sommige teksten zijn gewoon echt te ongemakkelijk.

Fucking great album. I'm not even sure if it's her best, though.

I knew a couple of songs but not the album. It was a good effort and I enjoyed the album. Excellent musical composition and great singing voice.

very solid 4,5; beautiful voice, beautiful melodies, really ambitious music between rock and pop, lyrics about serious and important problems, I love it, it's very influential on contemporary music imo

Beautiful voice, cool melodies, takie 4 na szynach

reminiscent of Kate Bush. Wanted to re-listen to understand the lyrics. Overall good -3.7

UPEA!!

9/10

Tori has her own sound as a singer/songwriter/pianist. However, I can pick up on her Kate Bush influence. I think her songs are suited for a more mature female audience. At least, that's been my experience as I knew of her while growing up but never really enjoyed her music until now.

obsessed w this album

I disliked this album at first but really warmed up to it as it went on. Her sound really reminds me of Kate Bush. Highlights: Happy Phantom, Leather

Excellent album. There have been Kate Bush and Joni Mitchell comparisons which occasionally make sense but I think this stands on its own - great piano melodies, Tori has a unique and super-expressive and emotional voice that - rarely, for me - considerably adds to the music rather than detracts. I remember when this hit; amongst the exploding grunge and alt-rock you would hear everywhere this album stuck out; on the surface it seems like it might have been at the other end of the spectrum from the Pearl Jam/STP/Nirvana wall but I actually think it compliments them perfectly. There's a hard edge here amidst the surface-level mellow piano ballads which is encapsulated in her voice and lyrics - the rare album where I do notice lyrics, and for good reason. Emotional, haunting, clear, and yet somehow still catchy. Highly recommended. 9/10 4 stars.

A strong 4. I’m not normally a big fan of the quirky, warbling female vocal + piano/acoustic guitar but she really nails it. On the cusp of a 5 but I couldn’t find a stand out banger on there so had to listen to Cornflake Girl after it finished to round things off. Still a great debut.

Top album A couple of songs too long Cover art: 4/5

Full of 90s angst. Songs are good, Tori is a talented artist with lots to say

Oh I LOVE this!! I don't think I've heard of Tori Amos before.

Fits right into the 90s female singer-songwriter scene. Tori Amos is a name I know, but I couldn't name a song unlike Sarah McLaughlin, Lisa Loeb, or several others from that era. Overall a well-made album though not my type of music. I liked the haunting piano tones and the layers within the instruments that give it a bit of a psychedelic slant. Going to try to rate this objectively, I can see a lot of talent in her voice, songwriting, and in the piano playing so I'll give a 4 despite my personal enjoyment of the music or connection to it.

"Little Earthquakes" is the debut album by Tori Amos and had five singles released. I found her back story up to that point very interesting; Tori was a musical child prodigy winning a full scholarship to the Peabody Institute at Age 5, the youngest person ever. But, at age 11 she was kicked out for musical insubordination for her inability to read sheet music while playing. She had a synth-pop band group in the late 80's which didn't last long and eventually broke through with this album after the record company rejected her first version. The album was initially released in the UK since the record company thought the UK reception of an "eccentric peformer" would be better received. The music itself is pretty much exclusively piano based. The lyrics seemed to be very personal and are the strength of the album along with her vocal delivery. "Crucify" starts the album off and sets the tone with her piano and a song about life, religion and society making you feel guilty. Something about growing up in a house with a father as a pastor might have played a part. For me the musical highlight, is "Silent All These Years." The emotion, musical delivery and lyrics still sound pretty stunning. The song that convinced the record company to release the record is her a capella song "Me and a Gun." It was her first single, released in the UK and based on her life experience of being raped. Heavy stuff! With most of (maybe all) these songs based on very personal experiences, it defintely brings a depth to the music. Her piano playing is great too with little other accompaniment. I guess it's always good to see a very talented (or anyone) person struggle and then finally succeed.

Cut from the same cloth as Kate Bush and Imogen Heap. I liked it quite a bit, but some songs definitely stuck out more than others, especially in the back end of the record. I could see this one becoming quite a grower for me.

Good and sad

I could see this as being what Alanis Morissette or Sarah Barellies listened to all the time. I liked it a lot

Very nice. Songs worth listening to, interesting lyrics, original musical ideas. Lovely voice, nice arrangements.

Nice voice, not my normal music though.

I keep forgetting to review these

Good piano driven singer/songwriter pop/rock with some strong songs and enough melody to keep it interesting. 3.5/5

Her ballads were simple but profound, personal yet somehow universal, melodically discordant, achieving a synthesis of emotional states and not just musical styles. (7/10) FT: Me And A Gun, Silent All These Years, Crucify

Really cool album, very interesting songwriting. Weird and emotional. Not sure if I’ll revisit this album or not but super well made album

Great album! Powerful and original songwriting. How have I managed to never actually hear a Tori Amos recording before? I’ll have to listen again and check out her later albums. Favorite songs: Precious little things Happy phantom Little earthquakes

Prachtige stem! Zeker in het acapella nummer valt dit op. De nummers zijn ook leuk gemaakt, met veel pianostukken

Appraisal of this project as Kate-Bush-lite is inescapable, musically speaking. On the other hand, there's a grungy side, too, and it eventually reveals itself as more than an affectation. The length of the LP helped here. A world with more pop music like this wouldn't be so bad.

Athough it's 1992 it still sounds 80s which isn't so much a criticism but the fact it sounds like a lot of other equally great songstresses (a hint of Pat Benatar and even Kate Bush in there) detracts somewhat from the originality. Even so there's some nice songs on here and I found it easy to listen through.

I got a less pop-y madonna vibe from this album. Didn't think I would but I liked this girl's material. Given that the last album I listened to was the sex pistols, the was a pleasant purge of that chaos. Now I need to find the lyrics. Hopefully, I haven't been innocently baptized into some demon-crustacean-worshipping cult in the process. But then, it wouldn't be the first time....

8/10 really liked it not EXACTLY my style but still super enjoyable nonetheless and Leather was a FUCKING BANGER, god damn! yeah pretty fun!

Pre Fiona Apple shenanigans

I really like the piano and orchestral arrangements in this album. Tori Amos also has a very pretty voice.

I have always really liked this album.

A bit Kate Bush, a lovely collection of songs. Her voice is sweet but strong.

Tori Amos is someone who's rarely talked about anymore, which is quite a shame, as her music is amazing. Songs like "Winter", "Crucify", "Precious Things" and "Silent All These Years" prove my point on why she's so amazing. Her vocals are beautiful, and every instrument played on this album make me transcend. This is teetering on a five for me.

Kate Bush inspired, no doubt. Tori Amos should be prepared to be featured in a Stranger Things episode when the show gets into the 1990s! This is moody, dream-like album. Lots of fun sound mixing, great piano riffs, and her voice is incredible. Amos is a talented singer-songwriter, and a visionary artist. These songs are quite powerful at times. Precious Things is a poem and an entire experience. She's the anti-Sophie B. Hawkins in that all the same pieces are in place, but Amos is a minor key version of Hawkins. So dark, so intense, and in my opinion much more interesting - Aimee Mann type of vibe. I wish I could play the piano...and write songs...and sing...

Great themes and music

Had not heard of her before but I ended up liking it a lot. "Crucify", "Precious Things" and "Leather" were my highlights.

Not bad at all - didn't know what to expect and was pleasantly surprised.

Really enjoyed this - she has a beautiful voice.

I don't think I'm ever going to be a gigantic Tori Amos fan (probably because I was a contemporary fan of a lot of the performers of the next generation that were influenced by her), but this a very good album. Part of why the college rock into alternative rock transition era is so interesting to me is because an album like this was heard as an "alternative" album, but also in the brief window that "alternative" rock culture was being made most accessible to the general public (which the Deluxe Edition's bonus track of her B-side cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit really illustrates). I'm still coming up with my grand theory of the era, but no matter what I think it is really cool that this was a time period where Tori Amos was an "Important Artist" (with capital I and A) in the music culture. This album is a heavy listen, but it is still real powerful. The transition between the last two tracks, Me and a Gun into the title tracker, is an incredible way to end an album.

I like it but don't love it. Solid but missing something.

really fantastic and also amazing kate bush sounding a bit at points!! Heartbreaking and also invigorating best songs: me and a gun, little earthquakes, crucify

Some good stuff on this. Very Kate Bush. May need further listens.

Leather is great. Has hints of Owen Pallett here and there. Reminds me a bit of Fiona Apple too. Has a bit of a haunting vibe to it.

pretty boring

Was nice but bland

Tori Amos: I like her stuff alright. She was always on the periphery of my listening sphere back in the day, but was definitely known to me. This album is a good one, but feels very middle-of-the-pack for my collection so far. 3 stars.

Fine I guess, lot of it was samey

Kate Bush 2.0

Bit of a dated sound (big on the atmospheric piano), probably a strong album if it's your taste, not my taste on the whole (reminds me of Kate Bush) enjoyed the piano of Happy Phantom

Not as weird as I expected, sugar daddy-o. Still half sounds like it would fit in current music, or maybe that’s just me being old and thinking music hasn’t progressed since the 90s.

Not bad

It was fine, not amazing. Seemed like Sarah McLachlan.

nothing special

Found myself enjoying the album more as it went on, but overall just ok. Thought it was a bit cheesy, but there’s some great story telling on there. Favorite track(s): “Me and a Gun” and “Winter”

3.0 pas vraiment mon style...

This is a fun little album that DRIPS with 90s mood. The only real knock against this is that Crucify is the best track, and it only goes down from there.

Que sí, que canta muy bien, vale. Pero no me dice nada especial

Buena voz. Tranquilo y reposado

Good album. Really liked it at the start, but got a bit samey by the end. Ubiquitous 'reminds me of Kate Bush' comment.

A little bit less MOR than I remember it.....but not by much

A complete surprise. Complexly arranged with dark lyrics and uplifting vocal talent. Bit long though.

Pop melankolija sa catchy instrumentalom i jako lijepim glasom koji nadopunjuje melodije pjesama na ovom albumu.

sounded like princess music

Some awesome vocals and piano work. Some of the songs are very good but the others aren't as grabbing. Reminds me of Kate Bush and Fiona Apple somehow, got a bit of a dark/haunting vibe from these songs

good

Not bad but a bit samey

A decent album that I enjoyed more than expected. Not sure I would go back

ok.

I had to listen to this twice to give it a fair review. Not really my thing but once I got over that you can hear the quality.

Good to nap to.

solid, I can respect her sound and genre.

Starts much stronger than it finishes, but in the end not really my cup of tea. Inoffensive as background music. Enjoyed "Leather", didn't enjoy "China".

Some really good songs on here. Liked winter, crucify, Slightly overindulgent in parts - sounded like a musical number

The start of a run of good albums; not as many highlights as a couple of the later albums but enough to more than entertain.

It's nice, she's clearly a very good songwriter. I don't know if I'd revisit it much, or if it does anything special

Yes Less angst than I expected Comparisons with Kate Bush only v valid for a couple of tracks

I've heard the occasional Tori Amos song before, and never really cared about it, but maybe there are a few cool tunes here. maybe. Ok, that was way better than expected. A bit too soft and waify to really justify a full hour, a lot of it is just the same piano-driven stuff, but the first track in particular was really good. 3/5. If it was shorter it'd be even higher.

I always thought she should have been a bigger deal in the 90's. If she debuted today, I feel like she would be a mega-star. Favorite Tracks: "Crucify" "Silent All These Years" "Little Earthquakes"

This meets the standards of a top 1000

Alright, bit too musically for my taste but some enjoyed some of the songs. Wouldn't rush back to listen again

At first I thought this was waaay to Disney/show tunes for me. But some of them were OK. Generally not my thing, but also wasn't as awful as I had expected

Vocals are big in the mix, second half of the album was much more artistically captivating. Found it hard to listen to at times but in general a positive experience.

It's alright. Favorite track is Precious Things.

I didn't really listen to Tori Amos at the time this came out, but this album was important to a lot of women my age and she loomed large over college radio in the early 1990s. She was part of a group of women artists who made really personal, uncompromising music and who had a firm grip on how they presented themselves as artists. Listening to it now, it’s pretty good. I'm actually surprised how many of these songs I remember. The album does feel very much of another time. Not every song has held up all that well, but it’s mostly a solid listen with some interesting arrangements. Lyrically, the songs can be a bit much. I just listened to Joni Mitchell’s Blue yesterday and well, that is how you do confessional lyrics. This here is some sort of free associative therapy and it’s a lot of words. I hope Amos was able to refine her songwriting over time, because she does have a way of turning a phrase when she wants to. It’s interesting all of the comparisons reviewers have been making between Amos and other artists, not all favorable. I try not to hold that against artists too much. All music is a conversation with what came before it. It’s almost unfair to compare her to Kate Bush because Bush is such a talented, singular artist. And Bush’s idiosyncrasies are quite natural for her. Tori Amos’ attempts at that style feel like contrivances and she does comes off as somewhat of a discount Kate Bush. There’s a tension between Amos’ attempts at being adventurous and what is in places a fairly anodyne sound. That doesn’t mean there aren’t good songs on this album because there are quite a few. But it is the difference between being a pretty good album from 30 years ago and being a classic. Fave Songs: Winter, Girl, Crucify, Mother

Not bad, but she's no Kate Bush (even though she's trying her best).

6/10

Jawel, dit kan ik nu vele malen beter waarderen dan vroeger.

Crucify is a good song. Silent all these years. Quiet album, nice piano.

A less weird Kate Bush. Some decent tunes, especially Little Earthquakes, but there are some boring ballads too.

Unfortunately for me, these songs all seemed to merge into one.

Sicuramente non male, ma la parte cantautrice di canzoni struggenti non mi convince. Canzoni carine, ma che non rimangono.

I've never given Tori Amos a fair chance, I'm not sure why not. Maybe because people like her so much. I shall to try to listen fresh. The album cover is great, and Little Earthquakes is a great name for an album. Diving in. I don't know. Much of it manages to sound both disinterested and like it is trying too hard at the same time as it plods along. That said I really liked the mood of Winter, Silent All These Years is a solid tune, but Happy Phantom just doesn't click together for me, even though I want it too. Mother to the end of the album left me, I don't know, bored with the trauma? I acknowledge the bravery of Me and a Gun, and even the flashes of brilliance in the lyrics, but still. It doesn't grab me like it could. I can't tell if I'm poisoned to her music or if isn't all that good. I've got to go with an ambivalent 3 stars.

This was alright

An excellent artifact from the time before digitally editing every track on every song on an album. You could add tracks, and that was done here (adding the better piano), but you couldn't autotune yet, so Tori's voice and performance are real. I miss that a little. Singer songwriter stuff always speaks to me more anyway.

She thinks she's Kate Bush, but she's actually more Melanie of "Brand New Key" fame. This particular album will always have a special place with me. When I was a college DJ for an alternative music radio station in 1992, I used to play "Me and a Gun" during my on-air shift. I'd go out of my way to play it because there just wasn't anything like it (and frankly hasn't been anything like it since then either). No other radio station would go near that song. Tori Amos doesn't sound like Melanie or Kate Bush or anyone else on that song.

Not what I would have chosen for myself from the list to listen to on my birthday, but it might just be what I needed. Tori's voice is incredible, and her songwriting is impressive. I'm in awe of her talent. There's a lot to unpack here, the lyrics are dense with meaning and you can tell this album was a heavily cathartic artistic experience for her. Me and a Gun is bone-chilling. I may not become a regular listener, but goddamn she has my respect now.

Once again another 90s album that is way too long. I enjoy Tori Amos, but I felt like this dragged way too much in a lot of places.

A couple good songs, but sad and angry

she has a very pretty voice and string lyrics overall. some of the songs were boring but overall it was good.

I have heard about Tori Amos, but never really taken the time to listen to any of her albums. This seems like a pretty early example of the "confessional eccentric singer-songwriter" genre that became popular in the 90s/00s with acts like Alanis Morissette, Fiona Apple and Regina Spektor. Also has definite elements of Kate Bush but with more stereotypical 90s production, which I feel has not aged as well as some of the listed examples. The big echo-y drum hits and washy guitar sounds remind me of a classic Disney soundtrack (looking at you Phil Collins). Her musical talent, and songwriting prowess is unmistakable here. You can tell she is really laying her soul down onto this record. Unfortunately it doesn't quite resonate with me. I didn't dislike this album, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I should have, given that some of my all time favourites follow the same formula. Also just want to note that the bonus disk has an unexpected cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit. Wouldn't exactly say it's good, but interesting that it exists. Fav Tracks: Happy Phantom, Me and a Gun, Little Earthquakes

Reminds me of Alanis Morissette, also maybe Evanescence? Very emotional songwriting with intense soundscapes behind the words. I thought it was fine. Nothing sensational. Vocal performance is really good, but I don't resonate with the lyrics. The record and I do not seem to operate on the same wavelength. Fave tracks: Little Earthquakes

How can you see no to a budget Kate Bush? Here's how. She wrote lyrics for 12 songs but only had ideas for the first half. I have nothing to comment on about "China", "Mother", and "Me and a Gun" besides the lyrics. I like to think of "China" as a romatic interpretation of a conservative uncle who complains about everything being made in China and building a wall around Mexico. "Leather" has a couple cool piano tricks and a quiet yet hard guitar reverb. "Tear in Your Hand" has an echoey over-the-top 80s production (yes I know it's 1992). I do like the chaotic frenzy of the second half of "Little Earthquakes" to close the album. But otherwise, the second half of the album was forgettable, with tracks going on twice as long as they should. I had high hopes going into the album with "Crucify." I like the overlapping chamber lines, the versatile vocal range, and the fine 80s production. "Winter" is the other super strong song, nice strings and gospel choir. I do think the first half is fine. There's some goofy songs, but besides "Happy Phantom" they're all hidden in the lyrics. Songs like "Precious Things" is quite literally the reason why a lot of people hear an amalgamation of Kate Bush and Alanis Morissette. It has the creative power of Bush's instrumentals (some avant horror and etheral aspects from Hounds of Love) and both of their vocals (Alanis-esque at 0:55 and 3:10). Although most songs have just Bush's vocals. Here's my 3rd listen on the day of my review. Mad respect to the girl for getting kicked out of the Peabody Conservatory as a kid for listening to Beatles and LZ over Chopin and Beethoven. Maybe I started off this review harsh yesterday. With so many amazing works you have to train yourself to find things you genuinely don't like, but honestly it's really good, and it gets better with multiple listens. Her lyrics take on a variety of literary genres whether comedic, romantic, or horror. Her singing is powerful and versatile for many emotions, it's way better than anything you hear on contemporary radio, and comparing her to Kate Bush is a plus. Even on the latter half she doesn't fail. Her piano work is superb, even on the latter half, and she incorporates other instruments and techniques as well as many indie folk artists. Even now, I still believe the latter half is significantly melodically weaker, and her ideas did run short.

It’s fine but not my cup of tea

Beautiful atmosphere vibe all the way. And the singing… wouw.

Que sí, que canta muy bien, vale. Pero no me dice nada especial

Pop como de cantautora, suave. Ni fu ni fa.

Listened to the new deluxe version of this album. Lots of Tori Amos.

Strong memories of this album which I chalk up with pretty good certainty (but no clear recollection) to an ex-girlfriend. Or possibly the wife, but if so she hasn’t listened to it for a long time. Maybe both. I didn’t get around to asking her. Can’t fault the music or the singing, the lyrics are way into that aggrieved young woman territory. Not a whisper of humor or lightness in it, and that aspect gets a little trying in my book.

Always liked the way Tori plied her trade. Interesting lyrics played on a piano.

Très 90's Prefs: Girl, Silent All These Years, Happy Phantom, Leather, Me and a Gun, Little Earthquakes Moins pref: Winter

Very 90s. Some songs are timeless, others are hard to sit through beginning to end. Strong lyrics.

9th August 2022 Listened in the morning while working from home. Went to mum and dads for supper then chilled with Jen in the evening. Maybe I gave it short thrift and didn’t listen properly but I found this quite forgettable sadly. She’s got a great voice and it all sounds very clean but didn’t strike me as an all timer.

too noisy

This one really demanded a close listen, like it really wanted your attention. I understand why fans are obsessed with this. The mixture of slightly obtuse lyrics with some pretty painful openness (esp. Me and a Gun) make this a challenging listen. her playing and singing remains fresh and immediate, thanks to some pretty tasteful and timeless production choices. There was a small movement of more honest female singer-songwriters at the time (Tracy Chapman, Melissa Etheridge, Suzanne Vega), but I think this record was still pretty influential on female singers in the 90s and Aughts; the way they presented and the topics they felt they could sing about. Each time I listened to this record, I got more out of it. A sometimes uncomfortable listen, but rewarding.

I always loved the single Crucify, which I found on a terrific 5-track EP that featured covers of Nirvana, Led Zeppelin & the Stones. Pleased to find some other gems on this album, particularly Leather & Me And A Gun. It’s impossible to hear her voice without Kate Bush being brought to mind, but she’s not alone in that regard. She can write a tune, and this disc doesn’t get boring. A good listen.

Tori Amos has never really been my style, but I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. “Me and a gun” was a chilling standout track. 3.5 stars overall, but not 4.

Trip down memory road.

classic 90's light rock

I had listened to this album but aside from the opening track I was surprised how little I remembered. Her follow up effort grabbed me more.

Have heard smattering of her work but not listened to an album all the way through. This is not an immediate pick-up and suspect that further plays would be needed to appreciate the talent.

Dark and sad

Beautiful piano. The signing and lyrics remind me alot of Morrissey dont know why. Perhaps its the melancholy of it all. I think some of the ideas get repetitive on this fairly long album but its an enjoyable listen.

Better than expected

Strong lyrics, good to finally hear her work. Interesting song lyrics, but not very moving musically. Solid 3

It's good, but From the Choirgirl Hotel is the album that should represent Tori Amos's discography on an essentials list.

She has a great voice and quite enjoyed the sound of the album. Not a patch on Kate Bush, which I think she is going for. I don't think I am the target audience for this! My mum used to really like Tori Amos so it's kinda nostalgic