Reviews (page 5 of 8)
I have mixed feelings about this album. On one hand I’m a bit ashamed to say I had never listened to an entire Tori Amos album before. This woman is amazing!! She’s so creative and musically talented. Her songs China and Winter were my favorites on the album. On the other hand I’ve never been a huge fan of her voice. It grates on me after a while and there are even times when she does these screaming things with her voice that make me feel on edge or anxious for some reason 😅 While I can admit that Tori is an incredibly talented artist, her style just isn’t for me.
Wonderful lyricist, but the music isn't compelling.
A very impressive debut album. Although it’s often dark and haunting. Tori definitely set the standard for the 90’s female singer/songwriter.
Cute, okay at best tho
Sounds like a 90s album my mom would be obsessed with. Technically good but not my vibe
Leather is a vibe. Tori Amos provided the soundtrack to the 90s.
Ugghhhhh do you ever watch those rich white Jewish American movies from the early 90s like meet the fockers, sex in the city and so on, where the subjectivity of the characters is just in another stratosphere? Easy money, big houses, no worries. And then the characters are obliviously living out petty dramas in ivory towers, but their vain concerns were accidentally global hegemon? That's what this music is. Music for your rich friend's mom to feel like she's heard, and part of the sisterhood of travelling pants. I want to invert a quote from Thoreau about eagles flying low amongst gorges in the mountains - the naive heights reached here are reaching the top of the modest emotional tree canopy of pop at best. Three stars for being technically proficient music and singing. Three stars for gauche introspection.
At times wonderful and at times forgettable. When it’s good it’s very good but that’s not that often
Helt ålreit. Mye lugnt. Ikke bråkete nok til å overdøve høylytte kollegaer.
Getting strong Kate Bush vibes from this one. Especially Happy Phantom.
-this was beautiful… i’d heard of Tori Amos’s music for a while but never actually listened to any of it. i guess i was expecting something more like PJ Harvey but i was honestly blown away by the classical musicianship -3.5 for now just because the second half dipped in enjoyability for me but could jump up to a 4 -Favorites are Girl, Precious Things, and Leather
Opening track reminds me a touch of Kate Bush. Unfortunate for me, but this comparison is mainly surface level. The two have a flair for theatrics and double tracked/ layered vocals that are executed in opposite contexts, at least coming from “The Dreaming” to Little Earthquakes.” For instance, the second track, ‘girl’ examplifies how layered vocals are used to effectively convey two different, yet complementary moods at once rather than create something of a panicked atmosphere like with “The Dreaming.” Third track is much more direct and intimate than the two that came before, and I’d say the album falls into a more expected feeling from here, boasting a consistent lyrical theme through an assortment of varied instrumentation. As a note however, Little Earthquakes feels like it’s tailor made for those who crave overt storytelling in their music. Tori’s Lyrics are the anchor of many track’s progression, leading to the wonderful instruments on hand following a subdued presence, at least for my ears. This leaning limits my personal enjoyment of a track as I tend to prefer focus being placed much more on a track’s instrumentation and the way its complexity can lead lyrical expression. Overall, this distinction leaves “Little Earthquakes” as more of a curiosity in my mind. One I can appreciate just fine, but would rather use as a talking point with friends than a companion for any personal downtime.
Solid album with raw emotion.
Piano-driven, confessional, and kind of haunting, but it leans heavy into the same tone throughout. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions: - Crucify - Silent All These Years - Winter
From an album named for the singer's birth year (Swift's "1989") to an album released in mine. Feels fitting. Even more so when you consider that this album and Amos herself must've been influences on Taylor Swift. I definitely hear a lot of places where Swift, directly or otherwise, must've found influence both in lyrical content (personal songs about interpersonal conflicts and relationships) and in tone (especially in her more recent releases). I also thought a lot of Lorde during this album for similar reasons. Now as for this album...it was alright. It definitely got better as it went on. Tori Amos undeniably has a great voice - powerful and strong when necessary, quiet and thinner when the moment calls for it. But "piano rock," as Spotify labels it, has never been my thing. A little too dramatic for my liking, a little too high stakes at times. This is an album I likely never would've sought out, put on, and listened to in its entirety. And while I didn't love it, I do appreciate Amos for her obvious talent and can see why she achieved the fame she did. Some of the more bluesy and scaled back numbers were my favorites and will definitely be making the playlist I keep from the albums in this project. She's a wonderful talent who just made music that wasn't quite my thing. But I can appreciate that. Three stars. Standout Tracks: Girl, Precious Things, Happy Phantom, Leather
Impressive singing. Stylistically, it started to bore me by the second half.
Strange how the voice feels familiar, like it reminds me of someone, even though I’ve never heard her before—there’s a kind of nostalgia in it.
3.5 because it still have a crush for Tori Amos
E36, Landau - Pforzheim, Deutschland. Ganz gut!
Deeply personal and very raw. It’s a statement piece. I view this more as a self-portrait, and it’s beautiful and a little broken; just like all of us.
This was pretty good, interesting. But a few times it did feel a little "Disney" which isn't my thing. I also felt I spent most of it comparing it to the Fiona apple album that came up on here a while back and I much prefer the apple. I wanted it to go a bit wilder and push things more. By all accounts her later stuff did this more, so perhaps I'll be looking out for a later album next time.
beautiful and interesting voice. i love how the songs tell a story
Powerful and beautiful stuff. It had been too long since I'd heard this one.
Too many words! The same criticism I have of Joni Mitchell. Beautiful stuff but more music and more space please
Tor Amos has a nice voice and the sound is good, but I do feel like I am listening to the same song over and over again.
Wasn't really sure where this was going. Nice, tho.
I remember when this album came out and all the buzz around it was how controversial it was that she was the daughter of a Methodist preacher instead of focused on the performance and arrangement. However, you could not escape "Crucify" on most contemporary and alternative radio for a good year. As a whole album, it's pretty captivating. Whimsical piano passages, sparse cavernous drums, dramatic strings and Tori's commanding vocal performance. My personal feelings on this album though is despite everything previously mentioned, it does tend to drag on a bit and overstay it's welcome and at times feels a little self-indulgent. Great artist, very 90s female singer songwriter, but not my cup of tea. Still a solid 3.
Pleasantly surprised as I’ve seen the name but never listened before. Feels like a later gen Kate Bush
good songs, i didn’t get a chance to listen to the whole thing but the first few songs had great melodies and memorable lyrics
Crucify är ju en fantastisk låt och jag tror jag fortfarande har singeln liggandes någonstans. En ganska fin skiva för övrigt.
loved the piano playing and arrangements, wanted to really like it more but... 3.5/5
Not bad.
I don't get it :(
Not bad. Too long but fine.
I wouldn’t have listened to this without the list, I guess. Still not really my thing.
3.4
While I would have been too narrow minded to listen to this on release as a young man, now I think it is pretty good in a Kate Bush kind of way
Ok, but did it need to be an hour long?
I didn’t mind this, but can’t see myself listening again. Simpsons: No
Pretty voice, kinda boring
It is a decent album but the style of music is not something I am a big fan of. 3 stars or C.
Some very good songs but overall not THAT great for me...enjoyed it!
Esta bien, relajaito
temu kate bush
She’s great but she’s not my taste
Released in 1992, Little Earthquakes marked Tori Amos’ solo debut with a bold, piano-driven sound that stood in stark contrast to the grunge and bubblegum pop dominating the era. Built on a foundation of expressive vocals and virtuosic piano, the album weaves in symphonic flourishes, subtle synths, and off-kilter melodies to create a dramatic and emotionally charged listening experience. “Crucify” opens with goth-tinged intensity, while “Silent All These Years” delivers a restrained but powerful meditation on voice and identity that has become a '90s classic. “Winter” is perhaps the emotional core—both musically and lyrically devastating—while the playful, jazzy “Happy Phantom” nods toward the sensibilities of future artists like Fiona Apple. “Tear in Your Hand” veers toward slicker, more pop-friendly territory without sacrificing the album’s rawness. The result is a singular, operatic record that doesn’t just explore vulnerability—it weaponizes it.
Very much a singer/songwriter of the 90's, but where other singers Suzanne Vega or Tracy Chapman are steeped in the coffee house tradition, Tori Amos sets her sights higher. Her vocals soar, the production makes Little Earthquakes sound huge, and here style sounds more akin to Celine Dion than to her aformentioned contemporaries. It's not something I'd come back to often, but I'm glad I heard it so I can appreciate Amos a little more.
Really interesting album. Favourite track is Crucify 3/5
First five or six songs are incredible, on form for a 4 but it loses a bit of steam after that for me (at least on first listen). I am a fan of her sound though and can definitely see it growing on me!
This sounds like all of the other 90s female artists except she has a little bit more of an edge. It wasn’t but I won’t listen to it again.
I guess I forgot how fresh this sounded when it came out. I mean, what sounded like this? Kate Bush? It’s too much. I don’t like a lot of it. But that first track -what a way to introduce yourself to the world.
Listened twice on accident. Pretty good but I’m not certain I’ll choose to listen again
It’s okay
Thoughtful and intimate.
I have to admit to being the kind of teenage boy in the 90s who avoided Tori Amos like the plague. But, you know what, this album isn't half bad. On the surface it seems kinda cheese ball, but in this case I think it's a byproduct of the era and not sincerely-held cheese, if that makes sense.
Hmm this aged ok
Really solid singer-songwriter album. But still not the cream of female songwriter music. 3/5
I would have enjoyed this more if I’d not listened to the Kick Inside by Kate Bush recently. Good record but impossible to review on its own merits
This one didn't really speak to me. Sorry, Tori. I checked the album credits to see if they credited the person rapidly panting like a dog during "Precious Things." Conclusion: probably a sample?
pleasantly surprised and reminded of kate bush
Found this quite good. Some touches of Kate Bush about the vocals and songs.
I listened to this closely back in the days when it was fresh and was really intrigued by the it l intracacies of her competitions, but alas, time and overplay had diminished the freshness...
Remarkable voice and an album to listen to if you want to relax. It drags a little but it's listenable from time to time.
Soft sounding music. Relaxing
This was pleasant to the ears. Not really my jam, but I like it. I like the beautiful singing and piano. Little Earthquakes was DOPE! I'll give this a 3.
This is intimate mood music to me. I envision a person sitting alone in a room in some deep thought while listening to this. I was never much of a Tori listener but I have a lot of respect for her and find her to be very talented, particularly for playing these piano parts and singing over them. It's a stripped down sound for the most part. A lady and a piano and the focus seems to be the lyrical content. There's a few different musical stylings throughout the album and Tori has a bit of an unconventional sound. She does a lot of different things with her voice and has a wide range. I can hear some influence.of Kate Bush and I feel like I can hear Beatles influence also on a.song or two.
liked her voice. reminded me of somewhere between Alanis Morissette + Kate Bush ?
Given the way this project seems to glom onto specific singer/songwriters, I'm a little surprised that this is the only Tori Amos album in the collection, but also very appreciative for the restraint. And while it's definitely too long of an album by half, it's very impressive that there were four singles from this album, all of which I remember playing frequently on the radio (especially "Crucify" and the still-memorable "Silent all these years", not sure about "China" though). Aside from the singles, I also thought "Precious things", "Happy phantom" and the utterly depressing "Me and a gun" were interesting tracks, and I was overall impressed with how solid an album this is, especially as a debut. It seemed to me then and now that she's a bit of an acquired taste, as her voice and style are both distinctive and (to me) somewhat grating; there's more than a little urgent melodrama a la Kate Bush to her songs, but also strong elements of Alanis Morissette, neither of whom are favorites for me. I'm also stunned to read that in 2022 a graphic novel was issued on the album's 30th anniversary ("Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes") penned by luminaries like Neil Gaman and Margaret Atwood (and many other not-quite-as-luminous authors); I don't have the courage to check this out, I'll admit, but I'm intrigued what it could possibly read like?
I listened, hoping I would be more impressed than I was when I first heard Tori Amos. But I wasn't. I just don't like her sound or her songwriting, though I give her credit for doing what she likes, and at least she's coherent.
I have a lot of friends who love Little Earthquakes. And while "Crucify" kicks things off strong, I've never had quite enough patience to stay fully locked into a full Tori Amos album and this one is no different. Somewhere along the way I get a little bored, or maybe just distracted, though I appreciate her lyrical themes and her distinctive approach to songwriting and arrangement. I also think the album is well-produced in an early-90s kind of way (which is to say, influenced by the 1980s Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, others, but not sounding exactly like them). Amos is clearly capable of writing classics, but this album isn't full of them. Even if it doesn't totally grip you, there are enough good songs — and a few classics — to keep you going.
Tori Amos, fantastisch natuurlijk...Winter heeft belangrijke geschiedenis. Maar live teveel praten en afleiding. 6/10
Not bad but definitely not for me just kind of not my type of music!
3.4/not a fan of the indie music backing here
Never heard of her before. Nice early 90s
I never really understood the appeal of Amos (aside from the fact that she was a waifish, visually pleasing redhead), but I was never her target audience either.
Casse pas 3 pattes mais sympa
Album 782 of 1089 Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes (1992) Rating : 3 / 5 Decent listen. Strong songs and great piano. Nice lyricism. Reminiscent of the strong releases by many female artists that would soon follow. Likely won't crave another listen but wouldn't run from it.
Some cool parts, but a lot of it blends together. Standout songs: Silent all these years Happy phantom Little earthquakes
3.5
I like Tori Amos, and do listen to her occasionally, but somehow she never quite "hits" as much as I feel she could/should. There are some beautiful sections here, and Me and a Gun is incredibly raw and brave. My favourite tracks are Crucify and Winter. But I find her extremely introspective (obviously she's hardly alone in that, as an artist) and perhaps tries too hard to be "different". That could be unfair, but it stops me from engaging fully. Purely on how much I actually like the album, I can't go higher than 3. I like her second album more.
Cool album especially silent all these years. Not an album I'm likely to listen to again but had a cool vibe
Okay. Was nice listening to while going for an evening walk
I didn't hear all the music super clearly since music was playing in th background, but of what i did hear i quite enjoyed, pretty nice piano playing and some rather original and well written songs.
I respect Tori Amos, it's just her music was never something I got into. The fact that she was able to bounce back from the failure of her first attempt ("Y Kant Tori Read") is admirable. "Little Earthquakes" feels like a very stark album to me. Songs like "Me And A Gun" and even "Mother" are very vulnerable. I did like this album, but the style is not something I would listen to on a regular basis. Just not for me, I guess. Top tracks: "Silent All These Years," "Crucify," "Little Earthquakes"
Better than I thought. Gave it a 2.5/5 cuz I’ll have another go around
Nice lyrics, nice vocal. Brings to mind the likes of Joan Baez. Good album.
Great musician and songer. Average album though.
I was expecting a little more from this I think. She's achieved a remarkable cultural status, without ever tipping over into the mainstream, yet from this album, I don't quite get it I reckon. It's good and nice and enjoyable, but it never screams "I am a totem of musical culture".
Decent singer-songwriter album. Some good piano playing and vocals here. Crucify is a great song and there's also an a capella song here interestingly enough. 7/10 Favourite: Crucify Least Favourite: China
Still can't hear the diference between Kate bush and Tori. Some others from the era also sound the same. Decent music but nothing special or worthy of top 1001
3.3 3x
Listenable
Did not stay with me.
Theatrical art pop in the vein of Kate Bush? This should be right up my street, and at times it is. Really memorable, show-stopping moments are relatively few and far between though, and at nearly an hour I found it quite hard work. I still like it and it’s probably a grower, but one big bona fide earworm like Cornflake Girl would’ve really helped elevate the album, I reckon. 3 / 3.5
Nice album
She is an absolutely amazing musician and singer. Lyrical content is interesting and pointed. Not something i will likely revisit bit a good listen none the less. This will always remind me of my Jr High girlfriend and her budding interest in feminism and riot grrls.
first half is beautiful, rest is a bit underwhelming
Tori Amos seems to be a more pleasing, less experimental and electronic version of Kate Bush. Some also see parallels to Alanis Morissette, but I think the album has far too little rock for that. Little Earthquakes almost exclusively features piano focused tracks, sometimes more, sometimes less heavy. Apart from Winter, nothing really moved me. Neither emotionally nor physically.
One of those artists I feel like I SHOULD like more, but I find whole albums of her a bit too much - especially the solely piano/voice songs. I like Crucify, Girl, and Precious Things a lot though.
An album that became liked by lots of repetitive plays by the ex all those years ago. Music doing it’s memory thing, the good and the bad.
Enjoyed it - although found it a little bit uneven. Really liked Winter - but found others like Leather a bit broadway...
This started off strong, but over an hour of runtime it became a bit of ear fatigue with little variation. Still pleasant, and stuck the landing with Little Earthquakes, but could have been more engaging. 2.6/5 -> 3/5
An album that begins beautifully, but I'm afraid it didn't stick the landing. Except the closing track, the second half didn't blow me away as much. Highlights: Tracks 1-5 3.5 stars
I was honestly bored. It's not bad, it's just not for me.
Tori Amos has always loomed over me as an artist who I know I should like, but the music she created just never felt like it was meant for me...? Not even as a gender thing, just never really connected with it. Maybe, that's not a fair reason to not give an artists music a chance, but it is what it is. With that said, I've never heard this album. It starts out strong with Crucify and I, immediately, love this song. The boominess of the drums is outstanding. We continue on from this song and it leaves me wanting to get back to what the first song was doing. There's some interesting choices throughout, which certainly shows me why she is seen as iconic. Some great, great songs on this album, but not all of them will be revisited often by me. I'm going to assume that if I dive deeper into the lyrics, it will weigh even heavier as an album, but I don't know that I'm going to do that... we'll see, though.
Well you can certainly see (hear) who was a major influence on Ms Amos. Unfortunately, although a good attempt, it just doesn't match up to Ms Bush's works. Still worth a 3.
Little Earthquakes isn't exactly world changing, but it was ground breaking at the time. Not great, but definitely enough to move the scale.
A very 90s album mix of Bjork and Kate bush, it's enjoyable enough but I'd think I would rather the original inspiring artists instead
Good voice, lots of variety. First half of the album is better than the second.
По мнению А: 4/5 По мнению С: 3/5 ИТОГОВАЯ ОЦЕНКА: 3/5 (21.02.2025)
Soothing mellow tones.
2.8
Kedvenc/Favourite: Mother Elég felejthető volt számomra. Tetszettek a vonósok, a zongora, a dallamok szépek voltak alapvetően, de semmi igazán lenyűgözőt nem találtam benne. Egyáltalán nem rossz, el lehet hallgatni, de nem élveztem sajnos. It was quite forgettable for me. I liked the strings, the piano, the melodies were generally nice, but I didn't find anything really impressive about it. Not bad at all, it can be listened to, but I didn't enjoy it unfortunately.
Incredible voice and piano talent. Other than that, this is pretty generic 90s soft rock.
Very nice voice; ok songs. Easy listening. 7/10
Pleasant
i liked it but it's not really my style
3.5
Pretty solid album for the most part. Does shine throughout with quality songs and great piano playing even if the melodies are kinda flighty and the singing style is a bit too shrill and theatrical for my tastes. Last couple of songs sunk the album for me. As raw and severe Me And A Gun is in terms of topic I do simply prefer Tom’s Diner.
It was ok
Sounded a lit like Kate Bush, but I might like this one a little bit more.
frekar hrifinn af þessu. held ég þurfi aðra meira. 3,5. píanópopp, fín lög og yfirkeyrt.
Tori Amos seems oddly familiar, but I can’t seem to pinpoint exactly where I’ve seen her previously. I’m sure it was probably a feature on some other song I enjoy. But she’s definitely a recognizable female figure in music. She seems to get compared most often to Björk or Kate Bush. Her musical career actually began not long after Kate Bush’s, in 1979. But the band she initially sang for never seemed to really take off commercially like her solo career did. But it explains why her debut solo work comes out swinging so hard. It feels like the sound of a developed artist who had already been at it for well over a decade. Tori’s voice is excellent, no doubt. It’s incredibly expressive and provocative, and very dramatic. Musically the album is as a whole. She manages to convey such intense emotion with just her voice and the piano. But I think that’s what my issue is with this. Rarely can even the best singers rely solely on their voice to carry an album. They need something compelling instrumentally to back them up. And for as much as I like her singing, I don’t think the instrumentals are interesting enough. There is more than enough variety from song to song, but they just feel kind of flat. The best moments are pretty good though. I like how sinister Silent All These Years starts out sounding, but the entrance of her voice into the song immediately dissipates that tension and makes it sound really beautiful. This isn’t a terrible art pop album. And I think if you are a fan of any of the artists she regularly gets compared to, you should give this a shot. But I also enjoy the music of those contemporary artists much more. Rating: 5/10
Hey this Disney channel ass record kinda had me tapping my feet a little bit, OK Tori!!
3.5
Really don’t have much to say - it’s ok, it goes on far too long, and I really couldn’t be doing with the unaccompanied vocal of Me and a Gun (not a judgement on the vocal itself, she can surely sing, but it just really annoyed me). Very, very mid.
Kann man hören fand es etwas langweilig
My inner feminist has been touched. Now in a time capsule heading back to Lilith Fair.
Classic Tori. A fully formed first album,
Day342 - i wasn’t a fan but i can appreciate her talent
Crucify 3.3 Girl 3 Silent All These Years 2.8 Precious Things 3.4 Winter 3 Happy Phantom 3.1 China 3 Leather 3 Mother 2.7 Tear in Your Hand 3.1 Me and a Gun 2.4 Little Earthquakes 3 Score: 2.983333333
Good.
Didn't really care for it.
3 Sterne
Pianovetoista singer/songwriter kamaa. Menevämmät kappaleet parempia, rauhalliset vähän tylsempiä. Mielenkiintoisia melodioita kuitenkin. Vähän alt rock viboja kanssa Parhaat: Winter, Crucify
She is a good singer and song writer, but she kind of writes the same melodramatic song over and over again which gets really tiring by the end of the album. Mid 3.
his was okay, good voice, gave me bjork vibes kinda
great songs a bit weird
Highlights: Crucify, Leather, Me and A Gun In a nutshell: strong female singer-songwriter Tori's music is in the same echelon as Kate Bush, Joni Mitchell and Tracey Chapman - unashamedly vulnerable songs with a curated sound. Have a copy of the lyrics nearby. Soak it in. Her voice and piano composition may not be for everyone, but she deserves a chance. It's a debut, and she gets better from here. Follow up with Under the Pink (not on the list but it should be). Overall: 6/10
3*
I didn’t hate this, but I’m not sure it would get another listen from me. Sits somewhere between Kate Bush and Fiona Apple, which begs the question why not listen to either of them instead. On the whole, it’s fine.
I quite enjoyed this Tori Amos record, there were some nice discoveries on here, especially Crucify. I saw on the Deluxe version there's a cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit which was quite haunting. It left me slightly curious about finding out more about her.
Crucify is a really good song. This album isn't for me. Just like it wasn't for me when i was in high school. I did appreciate it more on this listen.
I've never been a huge Amos fan, but this album is listenable. Mostly. Not going to get high rotation, but probably wouldn't turn it off if it was on.
There are parralels with Kate Bush, which in here for. She also sounds the precursor to Regina Spector at times. The album strikes somber tunes and has beotifuk poetry. A few gems in here for sure.
First listen was not impressed, felt like it reminded me too much of other artists and lacked originality. A few more listens and I can appreciate the variety of styles throughout, with the first half of the album growing on me in particular.
A little sad but okey
I like this
This is a very good debut album. Standard singer-songwriter material with a little edge.
This just wasn’t for me. Reminds me a bit of Fiona Apple or Kate Bush but not as good as either in my opinion. Obviously I’m not the target audience for this though so I’ll give her benefit of the doubt and go with a three.
It was an okay album. Well written, great musical talent. Just not for me.
This is one where I hold my hands up and admit that I liked this way more than I thought I would
okay but a little bit bleak for me
Strong female vocalist, similar to Fiona Apple to me
Not something I would choose to listen to but I didn’t want to turn off the album either.i can see why she is popular and has had a pretty long career.
The melodrama is strong with this one. In a way I do miss this era of the 90s when a mainstream album could be filled with sad love songs. But I can't say I'm in a hurry to revisit this one.
An undeniably declarative debut showcasing complete control of the artist's worldview and considerable talents.
Not bad I guess
Yes Tori Amos is a good lyricist and piano player. Personally I just can't get into this music too much.
This was a nice surprise that I didn't expect to like at all. There are some great songs here, and there is no arguing that Amos has a spectacular voice, that she uses in so many differing ways throughout the album. Very enjoyable.
A few very good tracks here. Rest isn’t bad either. 3.5 stars.
Solid but nothing exceptional
a little too much crying
I literally just listened to this for the first time earlier today. Are you guys fucking spying on me?!?!?! You'll be hearing from my lawyer. I think Tori is a damn good lyricist. I certainly feel a disconnect with some of the more "theatrical" elements, though I don't personally feel that they dominate the album. Whereas the Kate Bush that I'm familiar with feels very rooted in a style of pop music that I'm not a huge fan of, Tori sounds a lot more rooted in a brand of songwriting that I relate to and appreciate more. "Crucify", "Girl", "Happy Phantom", "Leather", and "Me and a Gun" stand out in particular to me, and even though I don't think I'll ever be a huge fan of hers or even return to this album all that much, I definitely don't take too much issue with it in general. 3.5/5
Ok
This one never really grabbed me. Something about her singing voice isn't my thing. She's obviously talented, so it's probably just a taste thing on my end.
I've always been aware of Tori Amos work but never really listened to her stuff other than a few radio hits but this album was an enjoyable listen. I say enjoyable but the subject of the lyrics for most part was not but her lyrics are great as is her voice and piano playing, an album that is worth repeat listening and an artist worth exploring more and that's what I'm going to do.
This album has clearly been influential for a lot of future indie women artists, but I don't think these songs hold up.
Eu nunca tinha percebido como a voz da Delta Goodren é parecida com a de Tori Amos kkkkkkkkkk Fiquei meio chocado.
Pretty cute
I really want to like and appreciate this but it kinda washes over me without leaving an impact. She's not Kate Bush. /s
Nice voice nothing special
Didn't like it at first but halfway through you start to have the realization of wtf you been listening to.
It's not my taste
Pretty good, sounds a lot like Kate Bush, she has a great voice and some interesting lyrics. Nice melodic piano playing too. I found it dragged after a while given it's just vocal and piano mostly so I probably wouldn't listen again.
A great album that is solid from start to finish.
Conclusion is that this album has a better song called "Mother" than Synchronicity does.
I believe Kate Bush already made this. Beautiful lyrics, original arrangements, and nice storytelling, but there’s too much here that’s completely derivative of other artists. 3/5
Great lyrics. Melodies not so much.
6/10
I'm not the biggest fan of songs with a lot of lyrics but when it worked it WORKED for me. standout tracks: - winter 4/5 - china 4/5 - leather 5/5 - LOVED this - me and a gun... oh my god. I don't want to rate it bc it's so much more important than that
Reminiscent of Kate Bush, but more piano forward. Her voice is beautiful and very unusual which I like, but I didn’t always appreciate her lyricism. My favorite was a tear in hand. I’d listen again, but it wasn’t my favorite.
While most of my favorite tracks are on the first half of this album, the whole project was a good time to listen to. I wish it kept up the same level of interest throughout, but it's Tori Amos - even the weaker tracks are still good.
Winter is an excellent song. I like her singing on this better than some of her subsequent work. 3.5*
Kinda neat, fans of Kate Bush may like this. I didn’t hate it
A bit overweight and dramatic - not quite as creative as Kate Bush and not quite Taylor Swift. I got bored by the end of the record.
Pretty instruments and voice! AI style lyricism!
Ok to listen to but didn’t know any tracks on this so I felt a bit lost.
Amos has a somewhat interesting voice, but the vocals are very strong throughout the album. Most songs are piano-heavy, which generally speaking I don't have a problem with. I can see why this album would be adored by many, but for me it was on the boring side.
Listens to this at the gym so not the best atmosphere but overall decent falls off near the end
Not massively memorable this album was a bit of a struggle get through partially because it's not my style but also because it also all felt so samey and a bit like one singer just showing off how well they can sing.
Best song: Crucify Vibes: sweeping wordy ballads Themes: not wanting to be yourself, religious guilt
Rockigere Version von Singer-Song-Writer mit eindrücklichen Texten.
Really operatic and strange, surprised how much I like it
'Me and a Gun' - that's a strong cup of meat. And the title track at the end - also quite wild. The inevitable comparison is Kate Bush, but there's also a dose of Laura Nyro and a tablespoon of Judee Sill, plus maybe a smattering of Peter Gabriel. The lyrical content was a cut above, but the music itself didn't quite reach me. I expect if you like this kind of bombastic-yet-intimate high concept singer-songwriter stuff it's five stars. I am indifferent normally, but it's a high three, edging towards a four.
3+
Better than I thought it was gonna be
I quite enjoyed this album. Sounded like Kate Bush at times. 3*
Tori Amos is an undeniable talent and this album shows off her abilities very well, but for the most part it just didn't hit for me. Loved the songs I'd heard before but the rest was sort of forgettable. This is a really good album for some people, just not for me. 3.5 stars
Nice but a little religious sounding at spots. Not my favorite woman vocalist.
Great voice
Pas mal ça m'a rappelé Kate bush (les puristes vont m'insulter osef)
Takes me back to high school and summer camp… that’s about all I have to say about that. Not sure this actually holds up over time, though I recognize I’m likely in the minority in feeling that way. If I’m going to listen to 90s piano-driven feminism, I’d prefer Fiona Apple.
Some of Tori Amos' pure piano songs are quite good. However, with hindsight (I was a fan of hers when I was a teenager), a lot of her music is painful to listen to.
It sometimes sounds like what Alanis Morrissette would sound like if she was into piano (and I guess it's to Tori Amos' credit that she preceded her), with plenty of ethereal weirdness and jauntiness thrown in for good measure, and there are times where it doesn't work and some where it really, truly and incredibly does. Winter is a brilliant, breathtaking song, and deserves all the acclaim it's ever had. China is written and performed in a very similar way and holds its own, and it's these two tracks that give the album strength and depth and leaves a lasting impression. Me And A Gun is a truly strange way to head towards the end of the album because it's so raw and so exposed, there's no place to hide, and while I didn't really like it, the voice talent is undeniable. A solid 3, because while there are soaring highs, there aren't enough of them and more middling stuff than anything else. Kate Bush wishes she could've ever delivered something of this level btw.
Better than I was expecting - she's got a great voice, and there's a great amount of drama in it all without spilling too far over into melodrama or pantomime that this kind of stuff can do. There's some power, some compassion, some playfulness, and a lot of emotion. Solid album, missing something to make it spectacular, so we'll give it a high 3.
It was ok
Not my cup of tea, but it was ok.
2.5
She certainly has a nice voice and can flat out play a piano. However, she clearly has been wounded by religion along with a rough life it seems in general. Just a little more positivity would be welcomed.
I could hear the Catholic in her but sheesh she didn’t need to say all oddness that she did.
The piano was nice and the lyrics were interesting I suppose but I really didn’t care for her voice all that much. Also having two songs that are over 6 and a half minutes long on one album was a bit much. I don’t understand why artists do that.
3.5 Beautiful piano and an interestingly haunting voice. Definitely a little Kate Bush-esque, but if that’s the worst thing you can say about an album you’re in great shape and good company.
Schöne Klavierbegleitung und auch mal eine Überraschung, aber bis auf 1-2 Songs eintönig und schwierige Themen.
I used to loathe her music (I wasn't a fan of females playing the piano in an obscure way), but I can now say I appreciate her style. It's still not exactly my taste, but she's definitely talented & I enjoyed some of these songs.
2 stars plus 1 nostalgia star (owned this tape at release time)
I liked this fine enough because I like Kate Bush, though I think Tori Amos' vocal delivery isn't as bold as Bush's is.
Tori sings refreshing tales of abuse, loss, neglect, and many more sad tales at the beginning of the 90's. Some moments are beautiful, I particularly liked Precious Things. However, I think the sole piano along with most of the songs evoking a sort of pitiful gender dynamic (not saying this as a critique) kind of glaze over as the album goes on. This is likely just my disinterest in vocal ballad as a genre, or maybe just Tori's vocal ballads. Unsure. There is certainly a lot of Kate Bush influence in her writing and singing, and I hear it only develops further with each later release. Excited to listen to more!
It's fine
Every song sounds the same.
aspires to be B-grade Kate Bush which on this list is hitting above average 3 stars.
3.5
Decent but nothing I saved
Was het net niet helemaal
First four songs would make a perfect EP but boy did I check out after that. If you want to clear a bar quick after karaoke night, have someone close the night out with one of the songs on this album’s back half.
Some great songs on here but not a lot that resonates with me.
Pretty decent album that reminded me of the Kate Bush one. I liked this one better - it had consistent, softer sound and I think it has aged a little better. I hear other artists that I assumed were influenced by Amos in this work (definitely getting Maggie Rodgers vibes). I saved a few tracks: Crucify and Tear in Your Hand.
Viste sig at jeg havde hørt den her før! Meget Kate Bush møder Fiona Apple agtigt, ret nice
I'm torn on Tori Amos. By the end of this album I was really ready for it to be over. Not ALL of it sounded like the same song over and over but enough of it. I don't think this would exist without Kate Bush and I do enjoy some Bush. What do I rate this...? kind of rounding again up for this 3.
Interesting
Pretty good
I like experimental pop. This is all right. However, I prefer Kate Bush. Tori Amos is an artist in her own right but to me she'll just not as interesting as Bush.
Not bad, but it didn’t really click with me.
I have deep respect, but maybe haven’t ever caught her in the right mood because her earnest angst always makes me feel a little too wracked to enjoy it.
Never listened to her prior to this...enjoyed the album. Great voice.
Great album
Un grand merci à Tori Amos d'avoir placé mon vendredi après-midi sous le signe des taylorswifteries. J'aurais une petite remarque au sujet de l'avant-dernier morceau : Je conseille aux artistes d'arrêter d'enregistrer des pistes en acapela quand leur voix ne justifie pas cette entreprise. Je suis l'une des quelques personnes légitimes à le faire.
Kind of fades into the background, though it's a nice texture. I like the jazzy vibe of "Leather," especially the piano. But do we really need a sultry piano-and-vocal cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit"? Kinda gimmicky.
Amazing voice. Jess loves her. 3? 3.
Not bad, but nothing I would listen to regularly.
Good
Sounds like a soundtrack for a cheesy 2000s movie. Love the vocal only song.
Rating: 6.5/10 Good album overall. Really enjoyed her voice and the instrumentation, there are many beautiful moments on this album. Very pleasant album to listen to. A few great songs are on here, no bad songs but many of them sound very similar in sound and structure. Favorite songs: Crucify, Girl, Tear in Your Head, Me and My Gun, Little Earthquake. Worst song: China.
Tori Amos is like if Sarah McLachlan, Alanis Morissette, and Kate Bush had a kid. It's quirky and weird like Kate Bush, slightly depressing like Sarah McLachlan, and her singing is like Alanis Morissette. The more I listen to her, the better it gets, it's just quirky as hell. Favourite songs: Crucify, Happy Phantom, Winter, Leather, Tear in Your Hand Least favourite songs: Mother, Me and a Gun 3/5
Meh
Feels like Tori would not exist without Kate Bush. Not in a bad way necessarily as she definitely seems to have a more immediate pop appeal like a regina spektor or ingrid michaelson which is impressive since this came out in the 90's. Crucify's weird reverb beat annoyed me but the track was good. Girl is a good follow up with great strings. Silent has a beautiful quality to it that seems to be at least a decade ahead of many future pop contemporaries. Precious things has the beautiful dramatic and driving beat/arrangement. Honestly it picked up in variety / and being more fun after the opening track.
It’s fine. Some nice creativity on display. Probably won’t give it another listen, though.
Interessant 🧐 3 Sterne. Aber manchmal auch echt weird. Ich wünschte mir sie würde so Mittelaltermusik machen…
I knew of this album from the "Tori in a box" iconic cover. But I'd never heard anything from it before. It was great to begin with and I figured this was a strong 4, but it began to drag towards the end. Also, the atonal moanings started to annoy me, so I marked it down to a 3.
Introspective, empowering, redeeming. Beautiful vocals laid over melodic piano. Very thoughtful and well-written.
Technically very good but not for me.
J'ai beaucoup aimé le début, mais la fin m'a tapé sur les nerf solide pour aucune raison rationnel
Good debut album, she is a talented singer-songwriter and pianist. Her music reminded me a lot of Kate Bush, especially Kate's debut album, which she made almost 15 years earlier than this one, but I find Kate's music a lot more exciting than Tori's. Nevertheless, Tori paved the way for such singer-songwriters in the US like Fiona Apple a few years later. A strong 3+ album.
Strong debut. Some of the songs are a bit goofy, but overall I didn't mind this one. Hoping to get some later career Tori on this list as I'm sure the sound matures a bit.
Little Earthquakes is the debut solo album by the American singer-songwriter Tori Amos. It was released to critical and commercial success in both the UK and the US. The album is a collection of emotional songs about personal struggles that cleanses the listener like good therapy. Fans regularly vote this album as Tori Amos' best, because it's the most accessible. It's been certified gold in Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, the UK, and double platinum in the US. This unique album of intimate, piano melodies, layered with Tori's excellent voice, makes for a great soul healing listening session. I liked the vibe of this album, but would have also liked for a few of the songs to be faster-paced to switch things up. Tori Amos is a talented singer-songwriter and I will have to listen to more songs from her.
nice f voice
I dig her voice and her unique delivery. Her lyrics strike a good balance between poetically abstract and unsubtly on the nose. And I can't say no to some rockin' piano. Best Songs: Silent All These Years, Leather Listen Again: Yes
90’s vibe
Nice enough. Not my thing though
Crucify' is simply one of the best songs of the 90s. You can't start your first album with a track like that and expect to keep up with the rest of the songs. And that is what happens with 'Little Earthquakes'. However, in the best tradition of that era, a few years after relevant singer/songwriters like Tracy Chapman or Tanita Tikaram had shown their amazing strength with their debut albums, Tori Amos presented herself as a musical force to be reckoned with
Really liked Winter, the rest was mostly ok.
Pretty good, would listen again
Winter is echt een fucking banger, heerlijke stemmen om op weg te dromen
Another person I've never heard of! Thought I was well versed in music but perhaps I actually live under a rock. Actually really enjoying this so far - don't know why so many bad reviews. I love her voice and the whimsical feel to it. Nothing stood out, but lovely vibey album - I liked it.
Nice album to listen to, nothing special
This is a beautifully produced, less fun Fiona Apple album.
Need to listen more
She just sounds like she's working hard to make these vocals. Nice enough voice but sure doesn't feel effortless
It was good, but aside from a few standout tracks it felt a little too similar throughout. Still a solid listen though.
I'm not going to deny her talent, but she's too much like a slightly normal Kate Bush. And we all know how I feel about Kate Bush. I'm giving her a 3 just because she's not Kate Bush.
Excellent piano work and good lyrics, but reaching the album's end without falling asleep is hard.
Not for me. I’m just not really a singer songwriter ballads type of person. It’s not poorly written or performed, just kind of a snooze fest personally.
I had more fun than I expected in this album. I feel like there are more interesting artists that do the same genre slightly better, but this is a fine album and I get why it made the list.
I really liked this. Such boldness and incredible songwriting.
Though her Synth project never took off, Tori Amos seemingly led the way for eccentric piano based singer/songwriters of the 90's and mid 00's. A bit odd at first, she really settles into opening a vulnerable and questioning space while putting herself fully on the line.
"It is frequently regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time" despite being infrequently listened to by anyone. Ambitiously creative, but never hooked me.
This is pretty good. I think it would be much better if I paid attention to the words, but it seems that I am incapable of this feat.
Meets expectations. Good musician but just a little too mild for me
Pretty enjoyable overall. Couldn't name a favorite song, but I wouldn't skip anything if it came up in a queue
Really enjoyed this album. Will listen to again. 3/5
One of the better pop albums we've had. Was really hoping Cornflake Girl would be on this one when I saw it was Tori Amos
This was one of the better weeks on this list and this was a good one to end on. I'm not a big Tori Amos fan, but I enjoyed this album if only for it's calming qualities. I also kept Winter. After all the greatness we got this week, I'm ok with an alright album to end things on. Felt a little like Fiona Apple mixed with Joni Mitchell or someone similar.
I liked this one more than I thought I would
Sounds like a 90s Kate Bush. Good stuff objectively but not my go-to kind of music.
I liked some songs but I don’t think I could listen to the full album again.
Really good in parts
Better than I expected.
Essentially a less impressive/adventerous Kate Bush, although there were some nice enough PJ Harvey flavours. Been suffering a stalemate of threes in recent days.
Some good songs and some I don't get
Een beetje kunstzinnig als Kate Bush. Maar muzikaal iets minder uitgesproken en met minder bijzonder stemgeluid.
Dit was muziek voor de alto-meisjes van die tijd. De jongens luisterden grunge en droegen bandshirts over hun trui heen. De meisjes tooiden zich met Dr. Martens schoenen (al liep Tori blijkbaar op haar blote voeten als ik de hoes mag geloven). Qua muziek is het dus ook niet helemaal mijn ding, te rustig en te kunstelig allemaal, als een vrouwelijke Rufus Wainwright, huismerk Kate Bush. Al heeft ze wel een paar prachtige nummers gemaakt, niet toevallig de singles van deze plaat.
OK
Pleasant album. 7/10
This had some good songs but most of it doesn’t do it for me
Love her voice, but not the songs
Not my type of music. She has a great voice, but I found it uninteresting. Not great - not terrible
Uninteresting until "Precious things" came up. The same piano melody is re-used way too often. The lack of anything intriguing melody-wise isn't compensated for the most part by vocals. Lyrics get better at times, but that's it.
Aye, it's OK
These songs are definitely super personal, and I can recognize and respect that, but a lot of this album is just generally boring, especially due to the style at the time musically. Also, once again, overly long, which seems to be a theme for albums for me this week. Still, not as bad as I expected, there were even genuinely good parts.
I can appreciate the content was good it’s just that I was so bored.