Customer Reviews

Little Earthquakes

5 star:		(327)
4 star:		(37)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Although Little Earthquakes is Tori Amos' first CD, it is also her best. As much talent and innovation as she has shown in the years since this album was released, she has yet to re-achieve the well-nigh perfection of her initial offering. These songs utilize beautiful music, raw emotion, and lyrical poetry to address a wide array of issues, ranging from rape to relationships to religion. Tori's style is uniquely her own, and the contrasts between soft piano-playing and abrupt emotional outbursts of strident notes, instruments, and words are incredible. No one bares her soul through music as forcefully as Tori. This is best exemplified by the a cappella performance of "Me and a Gun," which deals with Amos' own experience of being raped. These songs are all about empowerment, courageously finding one's voice and taking control of one's life.

"Crucify" is probably the most recognizable song on the album. Its message is one of freedom; too often people restrict themselves out of the fear of being laughed at or judged unfavorably; and Tori preaches that you don't have to wallow in your self-guilt and suffering in order to achieve happiness. "Silent All These Years" suggests a life spent with an abusive or insensitive partner and the self-imposed exile and voicelessness such a relationship can lead to. "Winter" deals with standing on one's own two feet, believing in oneself, and bravely striking out in a world without your father's constant protection. "Mother" strikes a similar theme, evoking images of a caring mother pushing her child out of the nest and helping it begin a new life of its own. "Tear In Your Hand" is an anthem of self-discovery in which Tori tells the man who is leaving her for another woman that she is more fascinating and powerful than he has ever taken the time to realize. In "Little Earthquakes," Tori cries out for both life and pain, realizing that a full life by necessity includes both the good and the bad. "Girl" carries the message that you must be true to yourself, that if you live your whole life trying to please others and ignoring your own desires, you will go crazy. "China" explains how two people can gradually grow apart over time. "Happy Phantom" is a fun little jaunt in which Tori looks forward to forgetting her earthly troubles and becoming a ghost, but it ends on a more serious note about the limited lifespan of memory. The real prize of this CD is "Precious Things," an intensely emotional song hearkening back to days of unrequited crushes, cruel individuals, and adolescent pain; the message is that you must forget the painful memories of your past in order to become your true and ultimate self.

These songs may mean different things to other people, and it is almost impossible not to discover new hidden insights each time you listen to them. Tori Amos truly bears her soul for all to see on this CD, and we can all benefit ourselves as a result of her efforts. Tori Amos is a unique musician, and her music will not appeal to everyone, but this album is much more accessible, particularly lyrics-wise, than her later releases. As far as I am concerned, this is the greatest CD ever produced by any musician.

Perhaps it's redundant to add yet another flattering review to what is already a chorus of praise. Still, I'm suddenly inspired to write as I listen to this CD and yet again marvel at how truly excellent it is. The emotional layers of her songs are not as furtive as later releases, which is one distinctive merit relative to its peers in her catalogue. There has been no other CD I've ever owned with such unadulterated emotional clarity, although other Tori albums come close. She is an artist of remarkable honesty and beauty.

Here, Tori rocks with her piano, and she also writes gorgeous ballads the likes of which are unattainable to lesser artists. She is complemented by lovely orchestrations and lyrics that tantalize with their complex imagery. Certainly one of the best artists of the nineties, and her brilliance puts today's pop puppets to shame. There's something magical about this album. It's too difficult to describe. Just listen to it yourself. If you aren't moved, you'd better check for a pulse.

Some would say that Little Earthquakes is insuperable compared to Tori's other work. I don't feel this way; I think each of her albums offers something different but no less wonderful. And wow, she has a sweet voice, doesn't she?

The best album of 1992? Quite possibly. Whatever, 'Little Earthquakes' remains a timeless piece of work, the success of which a generation of 'kooky' female artistes would attempt to emulate - read Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morrisette, Meredith Brooks etc. They succeeded generally to only a minimal extent in recreating the intensely personal style of Amos' lyrical themes, but what makes her so fascinating and so unique is how interesting her musical palate is. Albums that are good just for their lyrics in many cases cannot sustain repeated plays. Listen on 'Little Earthquakes' to the jangling guitar in 'Happy Phantom', the 'Irish war drum' in 'Winter' and the exquisite use of male voice in the epic title track. But of course a good melody is essential and there are few better than Tori at writing these. Indeed despite four excellent albums following this she has recorded few, if any, more beautiful songs than 'China' and 'Tear In Your Hand'. Another reason for 'Little Earthquakes'' continuing popularity is that any fillers are conspicuous by their absence - the great songs just keep on comin'. After a fine opening trio of songs, the fourth track is a prime opportunity to unleash a potato peeling, but then comes the breathtaking 'Prescious Things' which, again, remains one of Amos' greatest moments. After many listens the sudden drum beat still startles as it erupts from the breathy piano introduction. Of course 'Me And A Gun' is also worthy of a mention - an uncomfortably stark account of when Amos herself was raped leaves the listener no place to hide because this accapella track is bereft of musical accompaniment. Sexuality and relationships are themes that run throughout this remarkable record and as such it is a bruising experience, but also a strangely pleasurable one as it leaves the listener utterly purged.

A very important album in every way. Every song is perfect! Beautiful voice, incredible compositions and an unforgettably poignant statement of human being's complexities and intricate emotional turmoils! Couldn't recommend it enough! Tori is magic in all her albums!

There is nothing more tedious than having to wade through all the "Fabulous" reviews of this album by those tiring Tori desciples who would have you believe that if she broke wind it would be utterly artistic, musical, and emotionally gut wrenching. So, here is an honest review of this album. It is, in fact quite good. The songs are honest, affecting and personal, but it seems to be able to strike that often unachievable balance of being thought provoking yet entirely listenable. Unlike her more recent abstract works, you will really find yourself "relating" to the songs on this one, especially if you are a female (sorry, guys!). You'll understand what I mean when you listen to Crucify, Mother, and in particular Precious Things. This is most definitely worth a listen.

There's is not a word in the dictionary that would do this album justice,it's that good!

This emotionally gripping,thought provoking and completely original piece of work absolutely blew me away,far away.

Tori takes you on a journey of self discovery that will touch you at your deepest most hidden core and never lets go.

As far as trying to pick a favorite track,it's almost impossible, because EVERY SONG IS GREAT in their own unique way.

WINTER,MOTHER, and SILENT ALL THESE YEARS are 3 of the most touching ballads ever written, ethereal and gut wrenching, all tied together by amazing piano playing.

CRUCIFY and ME AND A GUN are introspective and thought provoking.

TEAR IN YOUR HAND is a quirky, yet very beautiful song.

Suffice to say, if you like music, any music.....then you MUST OWN THIS CD,it's a must buy for anyone who has a human feeling or emotion of any kind.

The best way I could summarize is just this;

IF YOU LAY DOWN AND LISTEN TO THIS CD FROM START TO FINISH, I MEAN REALLY LISTEN, YOU WILL BE A DIFFERENT PERSON WHEN IT'S OVER THAN WHEN IT BEGAN.

It's hard for me to believe now, but I was 18 years old before I listened to an artist that really touched me, moved me...an artist who spoke to me and I responded. Who was I listening to all those years? I can't even recall now. It doesn't matter. I was working at a music store and a friend asked if I'd ever heard Tori. I hadn't. She ran to the CD player and put her in while we cleaned up after closing. The first song, Crucify, drew me in and really intrigued me. Then I heard Silent All These Years and started to think "I really like this woman." Then came Precious Things. To this day, it is still my favorite song of all time. I've never been so moved by a song...ever. It still brings me to tears if I'm in the right mood. Then, when I heard the wonderfully beautiful ballad, Winter, I was swept away. The graceful piano, beautiful orchestrations, and haunting lyrics was the last validation I needed in order to buy this album. I bought it without even listening to the rest of the songs, and it didn't disappoint. I still haven't stopped listening to this album in the 4 years I've had it. No artist has ever spoke to me in a way that Tori does on this cd. I feel that this cd, in comparison with her succeeding works, appeals the most to the mainstream public. If you are a Tori fan, then it goes without saying that you own this album. If you are even remotely interested in her, buy this album. I promise that unless you are so desensitized by today's "bubble gum" pop music that saturates the radio and TV, you will like, if not fall in love with this album. She is a truly remarkable artist who bares her soul for us (and, I think, for herself). Take the time to listen and enjoy, and I think that you'll find without much effort, she will touch you too, in some way or another.

Tori Amos - you either like her or you don't. I like her - a lot! Little Earthquaked was introduced to me in the summer of '98, and then I had the chance to see her live that same year when she came to my hometown and performed. Simply amazing.

The emotional impact of this album is staggering. You may think that she's some kind of nut-job (That was my initial reaction after hearing "The Happy Phantom") but, the die hard fan base that Tori collected when this album was released is testimony enough to its staying power and brilliance. These are songs that get under your skin and make you tingle, cry, laugh, and sob all at the same time. Yes, her lyrics are somewhat obscure on first listen - but after a while, you feel like she's talking right to you and your soul. You are that person who faces religious persecution in "Crucify", you are that little kid who looks up to your father in "Winter", you are that jaded person who's lover wronged you in "Precious Things" and you are that cold and lonely girl in her car after a viscious attack in "Me and a Gun".

This album is stellar. It will never sound old, and I will never be sick of it.

Tori Amos has released a lot of brillant albums since Little Earthquakes, nonetheless, this remains her most accessible album and the easiest way to get sucked into Tori-world, and begin to get interested in other, deeper stuff by her. It sucked me in. Every track is brillant. No filler. All killer Tori.

Crucify - This is a sharp one. She explains the suffering we put ourselves through, but Tori's never whiny, rather strongly accepting that she's crucifying herself. She wants out, but till then she can handle it.

Girl - Girl is a sweet mid-tempo track with the incredibly catchy hook "She's been everybody else's girl. Maybe one day she'll be her own." Very vividly describes the naïveté of youth and the challenge of growing up.

Silent All These Years - I heard this one first. It was on an acoustic piano collection and this sucked me (like many other fans) into Tori-world. It talks about the suffering of having to be silent, almost abused, and shut up, but manages to remain sweet and catchy. "My scream got lost in a paper cup. Do you think there's a heaven where's some screams have gone?" ;)

Precious Things - This song feels instantly heavy and claustrophobic and loud and rocking. I kinda interpret it as teenage angst and rebellion ("Little fascist panties tucked inside the heart of every nice girl." Ehem...), but I'm not quite sure.

Winter - This remains one of her sweetest ballads. The lyrics are incredibly poignant and sincere and she means every word when she sings. About growing up and has some points of exchange between Tori and her dad. "All the white horses are still in bed, I tell you that I'll always want you near. You say that things change, my dear."

Happy Phantom - This is a funny one, with Tori imagining dying and becoming the Happy Phantom. It has some wise insight on death and dealing with it, "The sun is getting dim, will we pay for who we've been?" and how people whom we leave behind will soon learn to live without us, "Do we soon forget the things we cannot see?"

China - This is another sweet sweet ballad. Now about being in a relationship where the other person shuts you out and how hard you try to bring them back. "You're right next to me, but I need an airplane."

Leather is a searing sorta-black comedic song about not being truly loved in a relationship, "Look i'm standing naked before you. Don't you want more than my sex?" The Leather is a kind of metaphor for consolation in such a situation.

Mother, despite being the longest track on the album, is actually quite catchy. After one listened you won't feel completely affected, but later on you'll find yourself singing, "Mother, the car is here. Somebody leave the light on." It's about leaving home and finding independence, with all the fear of changing and the like. "Just in case I like the dancing, I can remember where I come from."

Tear In Your Hand is one of the most charming break-up songs I've ever heard. About a guy who's found someone else and Tori wonders, "I can't believe you're leaving 'cuz me and Charles Manson like the same ice cream." and pleads, "maybe she's just pieces of me you've never seen" That maybe Tori had everything the other woman had and more. What's incredible about how she sings it, it's not one of those, I'll-sweep-your-floors-and-serve-you-hand-and-foot-if-you-take-me-back songs. Eventually she realizes, "Cutting my hands up, every time I touch you. Maybe it's time to wave goodbye now."

Me And A Gun is probably the most painful song on the album. Tori was raped once at knifepoint and the song sears and burns your heart as she sings: "It was me and a gun and a man on my back and i sang 'holy holy'

as he buttoned down his pants" You can feel her violation, her mutilation, her anger.

Little Earthquakes culminates the album as it talks about the need for some degree of suffering, of pain to feel alive, to be alive, showing that all the pain and angst all through the album are not wholly bad things. You live and you learn. You go on, but without, you are numb. "Give me life. Give me pain. Give me myself again."

Tori exorcised many of her personal demons on this album and she did it poignantly. She never sounds like a victim. This is no pity-me-I've-had-such-a-bad-life album. She sounds like she's valiantly telling the world: These things happened to me. I'm laying myself bare. You can listen. And I say you owe it to yourself to take that invitation.

I'll keep it short, because after 324 other reviews, singing the praises of this album and how it changed my life would probably be a bit repetitive.

She's done a lot since this, of course. If you don't like this, you most likely won't like the later stuff. If you do, though...well, just wait. Tori's material gets (let's just say) a bit trickier from here, but it's very much worth the time you might spend getting to know it. Buy slowly and savor.

Standing purely on its own, _Little Earthquakes_ does not falter in the slightest. There is no finer debut by any singer-songwriter in the '90s, period.