While not as angry or feisty as previous albums, which earned her a lot of fans, this is still an intelligent and thought provoking piece. It is calm and placid in many places , but not so much that it becomes boring. While some songs tend to blend together, notably Strange, Carbon and Crazy, they still stand on their own merit, and this blend is a positive thing, as it makes the disc feel like one story, which was exactly what Tori was trying to acheive. Other songs have greater diversity such as the more upbeat Pancake, and I Cant See New York. The latter could have ended up cheesy and annoying as many topical news songs do, but it is pulled off with heart wrenching intensity and amazing lyrics. The lyrics and range are still way above the new clan of singer songwriters who have emerged this year, Tori has most certainly not lost her place in the heart of the majority of her fans. While many reviewers are negative about this album, it is often because they have always expected Tori to produce another Little Earthquakes. But if she did that then others would criticise her for being repetitive. Each album has something different to offer and this is why Tori has lasted so long in her field. Had she produced identical style albums, like many artists do, she would have declined into complete banalness. and treaded water. Instead I eagerly look forward to hearing each new effort from Tori.… Expand

Eeesh. This album is fricking amazing, certainly a hell of alot better than LE, which is probably her most mediocre, self indulgent album, thank you very much. ;)

I have read in several arenas the question regarding Tori's lyrics making sense. I have also seen them labeled as ramblings or another genius offering that she is simply trying to to keep the melody of the song in tact. I could not disagree more. What no one seems to offer is this; Tori is a person, a living human being with stories of her own. Do you NEED to know what Dahli was thinking when he painted? Or can you just appreciate it for what it is - Art and nothing more. Beautiful, moving and powerful. I am inclined to believe these songs would make perfect sense to all if we were part of her everyday life. Consider this, if I were to tell you a short story relating to a relationship in my life using catch phases, cute names or local street talk would you know what I am talking about? Exactly! So why do you expect a few paragraphs offered in 10-12 songs every one or two years to be wrapped up in a pretty ribbon and laid at your feet in clear and concise terms? The underlying theme to all of her music is the passion behind it - you KNOW what she is trying to say or relate to us. Sorrow, happiness, silliness all easily read through in her lyrics. Even if I don't know who "Crazy" is, I understand completely. Catch the gist, the theme the message and forget everything else. I don't NEED to know why she was scared by paper tigers to understand what this song is about because I get it! Point taken. I relate. Perhaps she is writing for herself and is kind enough to share it with us. Has anyone consider this? She is first and foremost a human being the Star part came later.… Expand

Despite not being a Tori fan prior to this album, and discovering it a whole 4 years after its release, I have heard no other album so completely enchanting and captivating as Scarlet's Walk. The wistfulness of "A Sorta Fairytale", the addictive sound of "Taxi Ride", the beauty of "Your Cloud" and the musical masterpiece "Gold Dust" would all move a heart of stone....

Several years after it's release I keep returning to this album. For those of you out there listening only to MP3's, do yourself a favor and get the CD and a good stereo. You'll be amazed at what you've been missing and how good the production is. On "I Can't See New York," the first crash of the piano after "Is there a signal there" lyric will take your breath away. I rate this album as tied with Little Earthquakes as my favorite Tori album, but having a slight edge due to the quality of the sound engineering.… Expand

Contains some of her best material yet. The last track, "Gold Dust" is just that. Stunningly powerful. This album feels like a best friend. I don't feel her work has got the credit it deserves. There's so much here of value.

Her best since Under the Pink

An amazing album and the best one shes done.

It's a brilliant album. Tori did it again. =)

This is maybe the greatest, most original work Tori has produced since Boys For Pele. Every song leaves an impression as the journey across America progresses. Its a complete album, and a complete story. Tori's originality and varied sounds and styles only make her more exceptional, who would like her if after 10 years, she was still churning out Little Earthquakes? If after a decade she sounded the same, she would not have the strong fanbase that she does. The day that Tori sounds like her previous album, I will stop listening. … Expand

I never thought anything would top Boys for Pele but she's done it. Amazing album. With the loads of crap coming out these days, I thank you Tori.

Some of her better work since Under the Pink... it's nice to see her get back to the roots that I fell in love listening to (wasn't a big fan of Strange Little Girls). It's just nice to find an artist who does her own thing and has a fan base who deeply understands her. I've been a fan forever and will listen to her no matter what... but this able was a refreshing step back to all that is Tori Amos… Expand

This concept album about a girl named Scarlet (an alter ego for Tori I suspect) going on a cross-country road-trip is in so many ways pretty. Sometimes it

I love this album, nuff said

an amazing album and is deff. one of my fav. tori albums expecially virginia and gold dust!!!! if i may say A may zing@!!

best tori album since choirgirl. i can't see new york is one of the best songs she's ever written. not to miss.

Tori Amos is one "Strange Little Girl". You either love her to death or hate her with a passion. I love this album, and I like the fact that she isn't what you call main stream. She's an undiscovered discovery her fans have been aquainted with for years. I'm thankful for her music and her frankness albiet metaphoric in nature. Scarlet's Walk, as indulgent as it is, is brilliant.… Expand

Phenomenal! There isn't a bad track on this album! If you want a musician whose albums are all DIFFERENT from each other AND GOOD--here's your artist! If she had repeated what she did on Little Earthquakes--an album that is well over ten years old--over and over again--I'm pretty sure I would have lost interest in her. If you have been looking for Little Earthquakes Part II...or Part II of just about any album she's made--don't hold it against Scarlet--and don't hold it against Tori--you should have stopped purchasing her albums at some point in 1998 for your own good!… Expand

Amazing. Solid production,vocals, and songwriting throughout.

an absolutely and utterly stunning album

I agree with the reviewer below: this is her best work since Under the Pink, her best album to date. It's too bad SW has a disappointing metascore, but I remember reading a Spin review that gave it a 9. Why isn't it on here?

It's a great album from start to finish... but, uhm, Metacritic, you're forgetting a couple reviews here that might bring up the metascore (Alt Press, Spin, etc.)

Exceptional and riveting.

This EW review is one of the worst reviews I've ever read. Mr Tucker should review TV shows only. That's waht he does in EW. He's not a music critic. Scarlet's Walk is a masterpiece.

This EW review is one of the worst reviews I've ever read. Mr Tucker should review TV shows only. That's waht he does in EW. He's not a music critic. Scarlet's Walk is a masterpiece.

utter perfection!!!

First of all, I should probably state that I am a "Toriphile", or "Ear With Feet", so this review will likely be biased. That being said, even if I wasn't an EWF I would still be very impressed with this album. When I first bought it, I was a little disappointed, to be honest. I thought that the songs were too similar, and too calm. However, each time I listened to it, my appreciation for it grew. Lyrically, this is probably one of Tori's strongest albums. It is a concept album of sorts, but it doesn't consist of just one tired theme. Musically, its simply beautiful. That's all I have to say.… Expand

Personally the best Tori album. Quiet, unhurried and intimately tied to places - very geographic indeed. And there are quite a few records dealing with places. A remarkable collection of wonderful songs that unearths greater depth as one listens more.

This album is quality. My most treasured album is under the pink but excluding the older stuff this is one of my faves. It exudes colour and makes you think about your own personal and emotional journey through life.

Its the best album ever.

Musically, this is unquestionably Tori Amos' best album since Under the Pink. Songs like "A Sorta Fairytale", "Taxi Ride", and "Virginia" are among the best she's every written. Personally, I love the fact that Amos's lyrics are often cryptic-- I don't consider her overly precious, and I suspect that she isn't really trying to make sense so much as contribute to a certain sonic vibe. This is one of my favourite albums, period.… Expand

Tori's best album. I agree that there are problems with it: production, and at times, the lyrics. Wah wah, 9/11 = sad. But most of the time, she does pretty well, makes me feel like I'm traveling through America, both historically and physically.

A remarkable achievement that live and breathes.

Her second best album, following Under the Pink. This album just gets better and better.

A development from the internal to the external showing Tori's ability as a songwriter to be more than just the exploration of her own psyche... Bliss...

Whiny babies like JS should stop blathering about how Tori never reproduced Little Earthquakes. She moved on, and did not continue to make the same album, like many artists try to do. Instead she has changed her style, her voice, her ideas. She has grown wiser, and her music has expanded. Scarlet is probably Amos's best album to date, and if anyone keeps saying that it's no Little Earthquakes, I'm going to beat them to a bloody pulp. Get over it - she's matured, and moved on, so should you.… Expand

tori is never going to reproduce "little earthquakes". get over it, and enjoy this cd for what it is: a well-crafted work of art.

Simply wonderful! I can't turn it off.

Without sacrificing her style, Tori Amos has evolved her music to one which allows for a wider listening audience. My parents even love it!

When compared to what else is out today, I don't know how anybody can not appreciate Scarlet's Walk. This albume is brilliantly captivating, and I hope to hear more from her.

I rated this a 4 on Amazon, and if I can, I will be changing that to a 5 (equal to the 10 I give here). After listening to this 100 times or so, I think this may be her best overall album. And LE is in my top 10 of all time. LE is still the best debut album ever.

I find it refreshing to have an artist such as Tori willing to break new ground with every album. Now as others have said in the past LE had a profound impact on me, but looking beyond what affect that had on me brings me through the shear rainbow of variety that comes from this redheaded goddess. Each album Tori has produced brought new light and new discoveries into her very soul. Scarlet's Walk is no different. Although fundamentally very different than all of her past albums it bodes well for the vast variety of talents within Tori's songwriting ability. She is not afraid to try something different and true listeners are well rewarded for her efforts. To often these days we end up with band after band rehashing the same beats and rhythms. So try the new Tori on for size. Maybe she's for you, but maybe she not...… Expand

it's one of tori's best work..i couldnt get why some people claimed to be tori's most avid fan just cant feel what is she trying to say in scarlett. she moved into different direction..a concept album..but still maintain her classic work..somehow in the album. this album truly shows the genius side of tori..and i was so angry when some people said that she's trying to be younger teenagers like michelle branch that she can never be. can i just say hello???? tori is being herself..exploring the new side of her and the album never sounded like those bunch of yuppies. … Expand

This album is being way over criticized. This album has a mor somber sound then her previous releases but it is also a concept album. Tore is being raked across the coals for an 18-track albumn that has a consistent and cohesive sound from beginning to end. She learns from each album she creates and I feel pulls from each to create this epic. I find it more captivating with each listen.

The more I listen to this CD, the more I love it! In Tori's new version of old music, she states her messages in ways normal, unplagued people can understand. Tori is so awesome!

This is her best yet!!

By no means Tori's most groundbreaking effort, a tribute to her sound and a not-so-subtle storyline is eminent throughout the emotion-laden album. Tori fans will welcome this substantial brick in the Tori-great-wall. Who knows, someone just might discover what she's really after.

I love this cd. Every time I listen to it I hear something new. Some critics said that it was too personal to Tori to be considered a 'concept album,' but it was intended to be an acount of her person interaction with this country and her relationships in it. I think it's important to point out that this album would have happened whether 9/11 had happened or not. Her road trip was not because of 9/11. I lose patience with the argument that the album was too long; if you don't want to listen to the whole thing in one sitting, then don't! The number of songs she decided to put on this cd does not add to or take away from each individual song's merit. I'd also like to add that I think it's good and healthy for an artist to experiment, which is what Tori has done in the past and continues to do. I don't think I'll ever get enough of Scarlet's Walk. It's simply beautiful. I can't wait to hear what she comes out with next.… Expand

This conceptual album, reminds me the goods of "Little Earthquakes" and "Boys for Pele" albums. This trilogy is maybe the best way to understand the art - ist. Of course, I can added the live cd of the double "To Venus and Back". One thing: Tori, please make better videos.

Once you've heard it, the tunes just get stuck in your head. It's a great album! Just perfect.

Never a fan prior to Scarlet's Walk, a musically mature Amos has converted me with this stellar work. She has learned to use the studio to perfection, with an CD that is layered and complex without being overproduced. This work is emotionally compelling from start to finish. It's truly refreshing to hear an artist produce a work of this scope that remains strong throughout, rather than the usual one-or-two worthwhile cuts sandwiched between a bunch of throw-away filler.… Expand

This was my first tori album and I just love it! I think it's so beautiful and freeing because, for me, the album is about the fact the journeys you take; the people you meet, the places you go to and the things you see, can be more important than where you came from, or where you're going to.

A near perfect album. Powerful, beautiful tale-telling. I would give it a 9.5 if I could, but it isn't quite a 10.

Tori lost me for a while. After Boys for Pele, I sorta gave up and it was time to move on from my "high school favorites" on the Little Earthquakes and Under the Pink albums. Just stumbled upon Scarlett's Walk on iTunes and decided to give it a go. I haven't stopped listening for two weeks--at work, at home and in the car. This CD brings me back to the initial infatuation I had with Tori's musical prowess that I discovered in High School. Many of the tracks are simply dramatic. LOVE "Gold Dust"--it's incredible. "Strange" brings me back to Little Earthquakes. Every song in between is equally amazing. Good good stuff.… Expand

Possibly her best album. Her voice has matured and her sound is fuller, more alive. Sure it isn't as groundbreaking as she has been recently with each upcoming album, but this takes us back to the older days of Tori. It resembles Under the Pink, the other possibility for her best album, in many ways, but is not a recreation at all. Oh, and for all of you "Toriphiles" who are upset b/c she hasn't made Little Earthquakes part two, complaining that SW is too pretentious to enjoy... well, LE is easily her most pretentious work to date... just listen to it. SW deserves to be heard and to be respected.… Expand

This album, like the others she has put out, is very well put together and shows all the different kinds of musical thoeries that Tori possesses. Fantastic through and through. This also being the first album that has a song playing on airwaves and tv since "God"... Tori's efforts and success in this album are well deserving and glad to see the new album come out. :) Just like all the other albums, I hope to hear more of her work come out real soon cause i can't get enough of her powerful, but yet emotional voice. … Expand

Not only is she pulling off a great album with no filler tracks, she's pulling of a great 19-SONG album with no filler tracks. The album unravels like some classic road movie, and it certainly doesn't feel one second too long. I firmly agree with the user review by Karen - one of the things that makes Tori Amos so special is that she is simply sharing her personal and private world with us, unedited. The lyrics are definitely not mumbo jumbo, I'd rather say they're like a stream of consciousness in a similar literary vein to James Joyce, but where with Joyce the reader has to rely on intellectual effort, with Tori Amos this kind of literal understanding is not necessary because the music and the voice give so many emotional and spiritual clues to what the meaning behind the words is. I disagree with JoeSixpack's view that this album is overcompressed, let alone the most overcompressed of our times. I wonder if JoeSixpack has heard any chart pop over the past 10 years. No, this is a beautifully engineered album, as well as produced, written and performed.… Expand