Of all the "chick bands" out on the market right now, Tori Amos is my favorite. She sings from the heart, the way the all-girl choir did in church on Sunday mornings when I was growing up. Under the Pink is her latest release on Atlantic.

The music doesn't make a big impression on me. It's her voice that dominates. She uses it like a fine instrument. The songs on the album are an incredible collection that come from deep within a complex and caring, world-concious person. The opening trrack, "Pretty Good Year" is not a slow song, but neither does it get your feet moving. It is about a group of friends and how their lives progessed for a year.

I have the song "God" on the radio at least a million times. With that kind of overplay, I cannot honestly hope to be objective about it anymore so like it or not, the decision is up to you. "Cornflake Girl" is a catchy little ditty about two different types of free-thinking women. There are cornflake girls and raisin girls, they represent narrow-mindedness and open-mindedness. The lyrics on this cut are not as remarkable as Amos' incredible piano playing. (She was a child prodigy: learning how to play the piano by age of two and composing music by the time she was four.)

The other songs on the album are very deep, insightful pieces and reflect how talented and honest Amos is. "I find the truth endlessly fascinating," she says. Under the Pink expresses that truth to the listener.

And the truth is, that this album would be a bonus in anyone's collection.

Reviewer:  C. Thomas, courtesy of Flash Magazine.