Arriving out of the blue in the early 90s, Tori Amos was at the vanguard of the alternative singer-songwriter scene, tackling subjects that most female songwriters either steered clear of or wrote about in abstract or tangential fashion.
Amos was having none of that, and with her instruments of choice – pounding piano, amazing voice – proceeded to influence future generations of female artists with songs on sexual awakening, religion, rape, feminism, men.
Now re-issued with numerous extras (and similarly paired with her 1994 follow-up album, Under the Pink), 1992's Little Earthquakes is part self-cleansing, cerebral therapy session, and part beautifully detailed songwriting (Silent All these Years, Crucify, Winter, Me and a Gun, and China remain highly influential and soul-baring touchstones).
Under the Pink continued in equally singular manner, referencing Nirvana, classical music and Russian imperialism in songs such as Past the Mission, Cornflake Girl, and Yes, Anastasia. Hips, lips, power – Amos has them all, and if you are unfamiliar with these early albums, perhaps it's time to get to know them.
