Under the Pink

Released in 1994, Under the Pink is Tori Amos's second solo studio album and represents a significant evolution from the confessional folk-pop of Little Earthquakes. Recorded in a hacienda in Taos, New Mexico, the album's sonic character is defined by its environment - spacious, warm, and occasionally harsh. It is the final collaboration between Amos and producer Eric Rosse, capturing a peak in their creative partnership. The album is notable for its 'prepared piano' on tracks like 'Bells for Her', where objects were placed on the strings to create percussive, bell-like tones. While it produced massive hits like 'Cornflake Girl', the album's true heart lies in its experimental second half, culminating in the nearly ten-minute 'Yes, Anastasia', which showcases Amos's classical training and penchant for dramatic, orchestral arrangements. Critics at the time were divided on its abstract lyricism, but it has since been vindicated as a high-water mark of 90s art-pop.