Customer Reviews

Under the Pink

5 star:		(124)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Tori Amos is one of the best pianist of all time. I love the kind of songs she's writing. This was the first Tori Amos' CD that I heard. a really good choice !!!

"Under The Pink," which falls chronologically between "Little Earthquakes" and "Boys For Pele," is in many ways a representation of the best of both worlds; a "middle ground"...literally and figuratively...for Amos's art. Songs like "Pretty Good Year" and "Past The Mission" can be interpreted almost as continuation pieces to "Earthquakes;" ditto for the lovely "Cloud On My Tongue" and "Baker Baker" in a "Pele" context. There is wonderful unprecedented work here ("Cornflake Girl" and "Space Dog" ). Too, Amos's underappreciated gift for satire is alive and kicking, most notably in "Icicle" (an arch, poetic, and often uproariously funny song about masturbation and religious hypocrisy); and "Waitress,' which has the legendary lyrics: "I believe in peace/ I believe in peace, (...)). Just overall a great album; if it does have any flaws...which, for all we know, it might not....they hardly matter.

At turns solemn, wide-eyed in wonderment, and whimsical this album is one of Tori's greatest accomplishemnts, in my opinion, and manages even to outdo a masterpiece of "Little Earthquakes".
From lilting to aggressive and utterly expressive, with both voice and piano, Tori Amos weaves a tapestry of intricate emotion and sends the heart fluttering stirring and even dancing as with "Cornflake Girl" and the hilarious songs "God" and "Icicle", and can make you quiet and contemplative with "Cloud On My Tongue" and "Bells For Her". And songs like "The Wrong Band" and "The Waitress" her sense of whimsical bliss is remarkable.
All the way through the epic conclusion "Yes, Anastasia", you will be left breathless and utterly in love with the music each time.
This is one album you absolutely shouldn't miss out on, by an artist you shouldn't ignore.

This record came out years ago, and my poor, battered copy has the scratches and dents to prove it. So why now would I want to spend my time writing a review? Because it's "greatest hits" time in Tori land, and I think that we all know what that means.
Of course, many will argue, with some vigor, that the appearance of a "greatest hits" record is not the death knell to a career, but rather a turning point, or a good bye to old material or even perhaps, just the whim of the record company that the artist had no inclination to fight...but I don't REALLY believe that and neither do you. We all know that Tori's work has seemed to hit a standstill, and I want to call attention to her greatest record before she sinks under the surface of her past genius.
Now, before you all start howling, let me say that tori's new work is admirable. It's lovely and touching and all that female singer/songwriter past her prime type of stuff, and even at a standstill Tori still beats that pants off most but...
On Under The Pink Tori was in the flower of her talent. Stupid phrase, but bear with me. This record, it's arrangements, it's lyricism, it's nod to influences while leaving those influences in the dust, well the record is timeless. When she howls, "I believe in peace, $itch!" or demands of christianity "Do you need a woman to look after you?" she is at the height of her feminism, her own brand of activism and yet she still remains deeply personal and completely honest. There isn't any hiding of messages between lushly arranged arrangements, there isn't any wish for privacy here, lyrically. I mean when she intones, "She's addicted to nicotine patches" on the later Choirgirl Hotel, it sounds wonderful and I can GUESS at several hypotheses of what she's aiming at, but Tori never used to feel that such lyrical subterfuge was necessary. She used to let it all hang out. She was all about the first person, even when she was using pronouns other than "I."
True, LIttle Earthquakes and Boys For Pele are angrier, sharper and even more clever musically and lyrically. Yet, the anger in LE sounds a tad big for it's britches and in BFP, the listener senses a kind of bitterness in the mix that alerts the listener that tori might not be ready to bear all to everyone anymore. But Under the Pink is able to mix that anger with the kind of gorgeous metaphor we expect from Suzanne Vega and the gimlet eye of Ani Difranco's social observation. And Under The Pink uses metaphors with a razor sharp twist, they are beautiful and they are deadly and there isn't a nicotine patch in sight here.
SIgh. Doubtless this review will anger any self-styled Toriphiles lurking about, but trust me, I AM a tori addict myself, it's just that the tori I crave doesn't seem to exist anymore, and rather than give the newer material mediocre reviews, I thought I'd better give this old record my love and respect. Because the term "singer/songwriter" was revised and ultimately revolutionzed here. I'm not telling you to not buy Scarlet or Venus or any of the others, but if you want to buy the full strength tori, buy this one.

Two years following Tori Amos' first solo release, Little Earthquakes, Under The Pink was released. This album is absolutely gorgeous. It's deep lyrics and beautifully arranged music make it a perfect CD, like most of Tori's releases. The disc begins with "Pretty Good Year", one of my favroite tracks which really speaks to you at points in your life when you are low. Next comes the witty song "God". This song asks the question "God, do you need a woman to look after you?" I love this song it's very catchy. One of the slowest and most beautiful songs on the album is "Bells For Her". Though not as catchy or as easy to love as others it's a great song and one of my favrotes. "Past The Mssion" is one of my favorite Tori songs. It's very catchy and I love it. Another ballad of the album is "Baker Baker" it's very artistic and the arrangement is astounding."The Wrong Band" is an unsung hero of Under The Pink. Most people jus pass over it and don't see how beautiful it is, but I love it. Next comes the fan favroite "The Waitress" it has a really deep meaning and is such a great song. Probably Tori's most popular song, "Cornflake Girl" is on this album and is liked most easily. "Icicle" the masterful piece which has impressive amounts of beauty in it. The lyrics are easy to decipher(...). "Cloud On My Tongue" is another favroite of mine and is another masterpiece. Second to last is "Space Dog", which is on eo fmy favorite tracks and has the memorable line,"Racing turtles, the grapefruit is winning." The last and longest(nearly 10 minutes) is "Yes, Anastasia." This track is mastrepiece and is much to easily brushed off.

Overall, the album is a 11/10. As are most of Tori's albums. As fas it being my favroite, yes it is, along with all of Tori's other albums, all being my favroites. Probably my favroite tracks are pointless to list since I love every song.

Get this album, then listen over and over again to Bells for Her, Icicle, and Yes Anastasia. Cornflake Girl is not the only good song here. Tori, you rule!!

David Rehak
author of "Love and Madness"

This Tori Amos person can actually sing,unlike some cheesy pop stars like Britney Spears and Hilary Duff.She's a good pianist and writes original songs.I had to deduct a few stars because on "Past the Mission" you don't hear Trent Reznor that well and he's supposed to be the guest vocalist.Good job Tori but next time be more considerate to your guests and let them do more work.Peace out Tori Amos fans.

I remember in 1992 when "Tori" released her debut, who knew how long she'd be around. It's good to have her here 12 years later. In that span of time, I believe this is my favorite of hers. It's not the most consistent, but still very strong. Included are three of her most popular songs "Cornflake Girl", "Past The Mission", and "God", which I like the most. However, they're all good, and each have something different to offer the listener. A new fan may just want to get her recent "Tales Of A Librarian" collection, but for "Tori Amos", I think 1994 was "A Pretty Good Year".

I am a casual Tori Amos fan. I'm not one of those rapid fans who will practically kill you if you don't like one of her albums. I have a couple of her albums and I listen to them often. This one is my favorite. The album doesn't have a very consistent feel, but it features such great songs that I had to give it five stars.

I have to give Tori props for taking chances. She writes lyrics that are thought provoking and interesting and her arrangements are not always radio friendly. However, I do tend to prefer her more "normal" material. I'm just not a big fan of weird music.

My favorite songs on this album are the ones that have a clear message, great lyrics and a nice melody. I like 'Pretty Good Year', 'God', 'Bells for Her', 'Baker, Baker', 'Cornflake Girl' and 'Yes, Anastasia' the best. They are all such beautiful and interesting songs.

This album belongs in anyone's collection. Its always a great listen and it never gets boring.

After over a year of listening to Tori Amos' albums, b-sides & seeing her live, this is my favorite album of hers. I think the reason why it's my favorite is because it's the first actual tori album that I had bought. My friend had compiled a disc of various songs for me to listen to, so I can get acquainted with this wonderful-mysterious artist. I desperately needed a silver-lining when it came to music... and tori was a great new outlet.

The reason "Under The Pink" was the first album was because there were NO songs compiled from the CD my friend made me. I was definetly curious!

Although, this album isn't ALL roses. There are some songs that took longer for me to get used to. I think the biggest song that was hard for me to get used to was "Bells For Her" which is very slow & dreary.

"God" was a song that I had heard before, but had forgotten until I heard the track. I remember seeing the crazy video! It's a favorite song of mine & very clever. "God sometimes you just don't come through/do you need a woman to look after you?"

"Cornflake Girl" is my all-time favorite Tori song ever! There's something about it that hooks me from beginning to end! I think it's just the way she goes to town on that piano! I think the lyrics rock too!! "Cornflakeboy21" is my AIM if anyone wants to say hello...

"Cloud on My Tongue" and "Space Dog" are other highlights on this record. "Cloud on My Tongue" is very beautiful-slow song. I actually prefer the live version of this song on the "To Venus & Back" live CD. "Space Dog" is just a very-rocking song with crazy lyrics! "Deck the halls I'm young again, I'm you again/is she still pissing in the river now??"

"Pretty Good Year" always makes me reflect in the past year that I've gone through and decided maybe it wasn't the best, but it was pretty good...

"Past the Mission" is a song I'm just really getting into now. I really feel it's a song that you can listen to after ending something. If something has come to an end & to reflect.

"Icicle" is a great song, but not too crazy about the long intro. "Baker Baker" is also a very intersting song, but love it more and more each time I hear it. "The Wrong Band" along with "Bells For Her" is probably my least favorite songs. "Yes, Anastacia" i'm not too sure of quite yet, I need to get more acquainted with. "The Waitress" is quite a fun song. Definetly if you don't like someone, this is a good way to get your emotions out!!

If I were to pick 2 Tori albums on a desert island I would choose this one & "Little Earthquakes". I think both of these records are stellar!! "Boys For Pele" most people's favorite of Tori's but one I think is average. "From The Choirgirl Hotel" is very awesome also like "Spark" "Black Dove" & "Northern Lad. "To Venus & Back" is also a very great album, but deserves more respect. "Strange Little Girls" Takes awhile, but also a great record. "Scarlet's Walk" has a few issues, but all in all a delightful record.

I hope this helps with your decision with this album. I know this is generally not a big favorite of toriphiles, but it's one I cherish.

thought I was over the bridge now...