Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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96 of 99 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Honest, powerful, beautiful, and meaningful, July 14, 2002
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.
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40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful in so many ways., April 20, 2001
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?
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23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sex, lies and . . . erm . . . ghosts in nunneries . . ., April 11, 2001
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.
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by Tori Amos 
