LITTLE EARTHQUAKES

Tori Amos is a talented piano player and songwriter, with enough oddities in her style to be accepted in PA. With her first album, she brought all what is need to make an impressive breakthrough and became mainstream appealing to what I understand to be the GOOD reasons to be famous: creative, original, different and pure talent. So, this is what I found in this Little Earthquakes.

First, the compositions are quite tricky, with many oddities surrounding a somewhat "regular" formula that can appeal both pop and experimental fans. Another thing that jumps out of this album is the great concepts of composition and arrangements. Sometimes is enough to have a single piano and her vocals, while sometimes we hear a big orchestra, drums, guitars and a choir backing up her music. The right amount of arrangements helps the ear to go in the right way: the wonderful and original vocals of Amos. For pop fans, here's a jewel of interpretation and wonderful melodic lines, but also for prog fans, the vocals have enough twists and turns to keep it interesting in every song and never fall plain or boring.

Second, she is a talented piano player and is shown quite well in this album. The versatility to have intense and somewhat sad pianos in songs like CRUCIFY or GIRL, to more strong and aggressive harmonies in songs like PRECIOUS THINGS or LITTLE EARTHQUAKES (This two maybe the more interesting songs for prog fans in general) and the get more fun in the song HAPPY PHANTOM.

The album is intense (maybe the most intense I have heard of her) and there's truly her soul and heart in this album. Intimate, intense and strong it is. Original and powerful. I understand that is not for everyone, but as prog fans I think we should take all a try in this particular album, and I'm sure many will find some hidden jewels here and there because the album really is complete in composition and versatility. I think it deserves a 3 or 3.5 stars because is really a good addition to any prog collection.

Tori Amos is a great songwriter and the intensity in this album make sometimes hard to "enjoy" it enough. You have to have the mood, but that's not a bad thing. Sure I've enjoy it many times. Especially in this cold windy days. It's a total win.

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