Few debut albums are as perfect as ‘Little Earthquakes’ by Tori Amos. Not only is it a recording with barely a note wasted its also a deep and thoughtful experience that leaves the listener emotionally spent upon completion of listening. In under an hour, Ms. Amos takes us on a roller coaster journey of songs that deal with changing weather and changing emotions – songs dealing with self depreciation, of sexuality, self-worth, rape, missed periods, fitting social situations…or not, and far more besides; almost every line dealing with the deeply personal, uncovering parts of the human condition. Right from the beginning of ‘Crucify’ to the last notes of the title track with Amos pleading “give me life, give me pain, give me myself again”, ‘Little Earthquakes’ never lets up.
Monthly Archives: February 2015
EDENTHORN – What’s On Your Mind? EP
Hailing from Durham, alternative rockers Edenthorn mix up a range of styles on their debut EP, ‘What’s On Your Mind?’. While never shy in flaunting a few of the nineties grungy sounds that clearly made them want to become musicians in the first place, some of the material on this release also comes with a surprising amount of melody and occasional funkiness – like Pearl Jam had decided to channel the radio-friendliness of Three Doors Down and Dishwalla.
Budget priced Europe box set released in March
On March 23rd, the first five Europe albums are to be repackaged as a bare-bones five disc box set. The collection is part of Sony Music’s Original Album Classics series, which has already seen successful budget releases from Hall & Oates, Carole King, Blue Oyster Cult, ELO, Miles Davis and many others.
Sleep’s ‘Holy Mountain’ reissued on vinyl in March
Sleep’s 1992 release ‘Holy Mountain’ is to be reissued on vinyl in March. The classic stoner/doom release has become a fan favourite over the years, with original vinyl copies now very hard to find. A 220g vinyl reissue to tie in with the album’s tenth anniversary is similarly elusive.
Amplifier/Black Moth: upcoming UK gigs
Stoner rock band Black Moth have secured the support slot for some upcoming gigs with Amplifier in April 2015. The dates are part of the ongoing promotion for their 2014 album ‘Condemned To Hope’. [Full review here.]