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Post by John on Sept 1, 2014 4:31:31 GMT
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Earthquakes Tori Amos Little Earthquakes I chose Little Earhquakes not because it my favourite Tori album she has recorded many good albums but because it introduces a talent to the world (this is not her first album, she recorded with Y Kant Tori Read) The album a very personal album and looks at her religious upbringing, her sexuality and a horrific rape experience. It is like she bearing her soul. The album could easily wallow in self reflection and pity but Tori also shows her humour and humanity and this for me allows it to be something I can still go back and listen too The music is often sparse with mostly keyboards, drums, bass and some guitars. It also has some orchestration on a few tracks such as Girl. She was initially promoted in the UK as the recorded company thought that her quirky style was more likely to break in the UK than the USA. Personal favs include Precious Things I like the riffs she doing on the keyboard and rocks a bit for Tori and The Happy Phantom due to its sense of fun
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Post by MartinT on Sept 1, 2014 5:48:00 GMT
This has long been a favourite of mine, John, and I shall listen again before giving my vote. Nice choice!
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Post by John on Sept 1, 2014 6:47:41 GMT
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Post by Pinch on Sept 1, 2014 6:56:19 GMT
Nice choice John - I've not listened to this album in a long time, but Tori was favourite of mine back when I was a teenager. I became interested in listening to her after reading about the role that she'd played during the production of nine inch nails's 'The Downward Spiral', which I was a huge fan of at the time. My favourite album of her's was 'Boys For Pele'; I can't remember too much about this one, so I'll look forward to reacquainting myself with it later.
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Post by MikeMusic on Sept 1, 2014 8:38:12 GMT
I'm out of step with the mainstream on female vocals as I don't like most of them and cannot see the attraction so my vote is going to be on the low side.
I've heard of Tori Amos. This is the first time I have knowingly heard her sing.
Just not for me at all and that yodelling style is one I avoid.
I usually only hear words after getting to know music so any wonderful lyrics have passed me by
Seems well made .....
Not an album I can listen to.
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Post by danielquinn on Sept 1, 2014 14:34:15 GMT
Excellent album especially the first 3 songs . But come on Ms Amos , we all want a girl who thinks really deep thoughts  |
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Post by Dave on Sept 1, 2014 17:46:44 GMT
One of my favourite albums this. Amos' song writing skills are epic IMO and all of her material has deeper meaning, much of it echoing her own life experiences, the title track in particular is an absolute masterpiece. Would have been top marks from me except the recording lacks a little in dynamics.
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Post by ChrisB on Sept 1, 2014 17:52:37 GMT
I don't really know this album all that well, but have just snaffled a used copy from the Amazon marketplace for 19 pence!
I'll keep you posted.......
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Post by gazjam on Sept 6, 2014 12:00:18 GMT
Absolutely love this album, the perfect thing for a night in with a glass of your favourite. Always thought it was like listening to "chapters" in a book, different stories of different parts of someones life. Just grabbed a minty copy on vinyl  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2014 16:33:48 GMT
Great album. Bought it soon after release having heard 'Silent All These Years' on the radio. Gave it 8/10. It was actually culled of some of it's best material which appeared as single B sides notably 'Flying Dutchman' Could have been even better. All the 'missing' tracks are found on the 'A Piano' box set. This is best heard on vinyl - a listed reissue for this year on double vinyl has so far failed to appear.
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Post by ChrisB on Sept 25, 2014 7:53:02 GMT
Right, I've finally got to grips with this album after playing it a lot over the last couple of weeks or so. Firstly, thanks to John for giving us the opportunity to discuss it.
This isn't an album that I would naturally gravitate towards, in fact when I first heard it back nearer to when it was released, I didn't like it at all. I admired the lyrical content and the often brave choice of subject, but I didn't really get much from it musically. Now, I like it a lot better, but I'm sure it won't be a regular spin for me.
Lyrically? Wow!
There are some disturbing things on this record - 'Crucify' -
"Looking for a saviour between these dirty sheets
I've been raising up my hands drive another nail in
Just what God needs one more victim"
I'm not in the least bit religious, but that makes me a bit uneasy!
I'm getting more from it with every new exposure to it, which is great, but the playing does still feel a little awkward.
It's gets a 6 from me.
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Post by John on Sept 25, 2014 8:14:21 GMT
Yes she certainly exploring her upbringing on the album and some of the lyrics are quite dark
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Post by Clive on Sept 25, 2014 9:42:04 GMT
8 from me. Moving albums in general from Torrid Amos....
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Post by Tim on Oct 9, 2014 11:33:05 GMT
I have pretty much everything Tori has produced and seen her live, so expect a good score from me - but I'll listen to it again first, even though I know it reasonably well |
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Post by Tim on Oct 10, 2014 9:07:13 GMT
I rate this amongst the best albums in my library and it's widely regarded as her career defining work, which considering it's her début solo recording, well . . . just brilliant. It's so good it took Tori around the world in a year - 142 shows with just her and a keyboard, not bad for a previously unknown artist ('Y Kant Tori Read' never really got off the ground). This is so fragile, bleak and brutally honest in places, that it's a one off amongst her catalogue. Tori is an extraordinary artist and this album is a lyrical masterpiece, like hitting a rich seam in a mine and then there's the breathtakingly beautiful musical composition and piano work, which can be complex and challenging for the casual listener, but given the time it deserves, the rewards can be considerable. A very intense and sophisticated recording, which also displays plenty of power and raw emotion. There's lot's here I love, China is a special song to me and Crucify is as dark and disturbing as it is beautiful - and Mother is just so darned gorgeous . . . achingly so, Precious Things, Winter . . . but the stand-out has to be Me and a Gun . . . more poetry than song, but so powerful. If you missed it's significance, listen carefully to the words and then maybe consider what Tori says here: The line "Yes I wore a slinky red thing, does that mean I should spread" is chilling and this song must have taken a huge amount of courage to both write and record, yet alone perform live. I don't often score albums 10/10 and I listened to this three times yesterday to make sure it deserved it, but I think it does. The album as a whole is a timeless work of art and one of the best ever produced by a female artist IMO, pure genius and up there with the likes of The Kick Inside, Blue and Horses. An excellent choice John and it's cheap as chips on Amazon Marketplace, so wouldn't go amiss amongst anyone's collection I reckon (haha, I said it would be a high score!) |
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Post by John on Oct 10, 2014 10:13:36 GMT
Great write up Tim
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Post by MartinT on Oct 10, 2014 11:22:35 GMT
To add to what Tim said, I find the song Little Earthquakes really compelling. There's a certain sense of chanting menace to it.
I also really love Spark from the From the Choir Girl Hotel album.
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Post by speedysteve on Oct 10, 2014 12:12:56 GMT
Love some of her work - it's fab, less so the recent stuff, but if you are not acquainted with other 'mad as box of frogs' female artists try Regina Spektor, Cat Power and Maria Mena - Mike you liked her I remember...
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Post by MartinT on Oct 10, 2014 13:57:24 GMT
I like Cat Power, she's good |
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Post by Stratmangler on Oct 15, 2014 21:21:25 GMT
This isn't an album that I would naturally gravitate towards This sums up my feelings too. I have tried playing this through several times, and usually wandered off and done something else. Not tonight though - I had a delivery today of a new (to me) headphone amp, and it's unravelled the music on this album unbelievably well. Lyrically some of the songs come from a very dark place. I too think that this one will only get the occasional visit, so I'm going to give this a 6 as well. |
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