Tigerlily

Released in 1995, Tigerlily marked Natalie Merchant's debut as a solo artist following her highly publicized departure from 10,000 Maniacs. Recorded at Bearsville Studios in New York, the album was self-produced by Merchant, a move that allowed her to strip away the folk-rock clutter of her previous band in favor of a more minimalist, piano-driven sound. The record was a massive commercial success, yielding three Top 40 hits ('Carnival', 'Wonder', 'Jealousy') and eventually being certified 5x Platinum. Sonically, it is defined by its 'dry' production style, featuring very little reverb and a prominent, centered vocal mix. Thematically, the album is deeply empathetic, featuring tributes to River Phoenix ('River') and the photographer Diane Arbus ('San Andreas Fault'). While some critics at the time found the writing overly sentimental, the album has since been recognized as a foundational text of the 90s singer-songwriter movement, bridging the gap between traditional folk and alternative pop.