Little Earthquakes - Tori Amos

Oh boy did this album gave me bother. Not, as you might think, from the very personal lyrics and syncopated rhythms but from making a mistake and buying it in holiday.

Ever since as long as I can remember, I have celebrated being on holiday by buying a new album - either before to enjoy whilst away or during. In this case we were on holiday in Bowness in the Lake Distruct and I wandered into a record shop at the top of the high street.

The mistake I made was not in the choice of the record but in choosing to buy it on tape rather than CD. It wasn't until I got home and played the tape that I realised that the tape was stretched. Damn those non-digital formats! It was quite an effort to get it replaced, requiring another trip across to Cumbria.

But whatever the hassle it was worth it. 'Little Earthquakes' is a dynamic and versatile album with some fantastic piano work. Obviously the singles are stand out tracks, particularly 'Silent All These Years' and 'Crucify' but the album contains many others. Try 'Tear In Your Hand' for example; a wonderful song with some great minor chord progressions. (Oh dear that was a little too muso for my liking). Whatever the album is, it's not Kate Bush-lite as some critics would've had you believe. But that is the problem with music - it has to be pigeon holed. So a female songwriter who plays quirky songs on a piano? It's a no brainier.

Perhaps the best song from this period though is one that didn't make it into the album. If you can find it, her rendition of the Nirvana classic 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' is simply amazing. It takes the grunge workings of the original and strips it bare. Just a voice and a piano. Better than the original? Maybe not but it's a close thing. Just like Tori Amis really.