Scarlet's Walk
by Tori Amos
  • Record Label: Epic
  • Release Date: Oct 29, 2002
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 212 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 198 out of 212
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 212
  3. Negative: 14 out of 212

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  1. marcmyworks
    Jun 22, 2016
    7
    Tori Amos's tribute to America is probably the last great album that she put out for the better part of a decade. Very strong and beautiful lyrics, influenced by Native American, Gay and Southern cultures. Download: A Sorta Fairytale, Gold Dust, Taxi Ride
  2. CharlieGray
    Apr 21, 2016
    10
    I truly have no words, this album is a truly masterpiece, I Don't what words -more than beautiful- use to describe it. Probably the best by Tori, along with 'Boys For Pele' and 'From The Choirgirl Hotel'
  3. MariellyDewa
    Dec 12, 2017
    9
    tori minha filha tua acertou mais uma vez em um album bom. scarlet's walk foi definido pela propia tori como um "romance rapido" e seu conceito é sobre a viagem do alter ego de tori chamado scarlet
    o conceito foi bem aplicado e as musicas são memoraveis
  4. JadaLush
    Aug 15, 2018
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Probably one of her best since “Choirgirl” but some moments are too long. not a 10 but good… Expand
  5. mrLemonade
    Apr 14, 2013
    8
    Beautiful voice, lyrics and arrangements. Other than being a piece of art, it is also a great road trip album! Personal favourites: A Sorta Fairytale, Mrs Jesus, Taxi Ride, I Can't See New York
  6. joseRVR
    Sep 19, 2017
    10
    "Scarlet's Walk" is a milestone in Tori Amos's career. After a first decade of music marked by alternative rock and electronica (1992-2002), the American artist stepped into the realms of AOR and folk to deliver an album that works as a "sonic novel", telling the story of Scarlet, an archetypal female character that travels through the United States in search of her own identity: during"Scarlet's Walk" is a milestone in Tori Amos's career. After a first decade of music marked by alternative rock and electronica (1992-2002), the American artist stepped into the realms of AOR and folk to deliver an album that works as a "sonic novel", telling the story of Scarlet, an archetypal female character that travels through the United States in search of her own identity: during her trip, Scarlet meets people in very different circumstances, from pornstars to cowboys, and delves into the history of the Native Americans, also dealing with topics such as politics, mental illness, homophobia and death. The music is lush and sensual, but never feels overproduced or baroque; on the contrary, the songs benefit from a quite sparse production based on piano/keyboard, acoustic guitars and organic percussion, with the occasional accompaniment of strings ("Strange", "Mrs. Jesus", "Gold Dust"). The songs in "Scarlet's Walk" can be counted among Amos's best vocal performances ever. The single "A Sorta Fairytale" is a perfect example of the album's relaxed spirit, with most of the tracks being slow or midtempo numbers. Best songs: "A Sorta Fairytale", "Strange", "Carbon", "I Can't See New York", "Virginia", "Gold Dust".… Expand
  7. toriamosfan
    Dec 11, 2017
    9
    her best album since UTP and one of the best of the 2000's.
    i can't see new york is so far one of the best tori amos tracks and mrs jesus is amazing too.
  8. annygeneration
    Sep 24, 2018
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Bittersweet Story. I like the concept and the less rock but more piano sounds… Expand
  9. Kimpetras
    Jul 11, 2018
    9
    Not her best but got good songs on this record like “I Can’t See NEw York”.
  10. Izzy91
    Nov 5, 2012
    9
    There are songs that fail to attract my attention, such as "Do not make me come to Vegas" or "Sweet Sangria". The truth is that I care much about the rhythm of the tracks (even more so than the lyrics itself). From the time you hear "Taxi ride" or "Virginia" I consider them as treasures of the master tori-pieces.
  11. colour
    Dec 7, 2017
    10
    hinario da porra
    tori amos rainha do alternativo...........................................................................................................................
  12. frostedcrow
    Apr 28, 2018
    10
    Probably, one of the best albums with a fully story during the entire record. It's so well told, so reflexive and inspiring that really change your point of view of life tracks. Actually, the awareness of social conflicts is extemely plentiful on this album, like Taxi Ride, Virginia, Sweet Sangria or Wednesday, among the others. Tori provoke an epiphany with these lyrics, it's really aProbably, one of the best albums with a fully story during the entire record. It's so well told, so reflexive and inspiring that really change your point of view of life tracks. Actually, the awareness of social conflicts is extemely plentiful on this album, like Taxi Ride, Virginia, Sweet Sangria or Wednesday, among the others. Tori provoke an epiphany with these lyrics, it's really a change in comparison with her previous records, mainly on the musical style. The genres variates across the album, transiting from the joyful to the sorrowful. Always including the love songs and personal wailings and inner melancholy, but she never lose out her originality. There're son many song i'd can talk about, but I'm gonna chose which I personally consider the best of the album. Carbon, please Lord, the trail of the complete song about the pain of a girl, the bruises on the soul, and even the melody it's so heartbreaking, it really comes to me.The same with Your Cloud, just that this is about a loving theme. Mrs Jesus or I Can't See New York are very philosophical and take back facts of the past that made history. Gold Lust, one of the most beautiful pieces that Tori made, is so human being and inteligent, and is long and full of instruments, the voice of Tori stick out a lot, it really deserves the recognition that already has. In usually don't like the long albums, but Tori built a pathway with this album that generate you a diferent emotion on every song, and make you enjoy it on the way that everyone personally feel. One of my three favourite albums of all times.… Expand
  13. [Anonymous]
    Jan 9, 2003
    10
    Her best since Under the Pink
  14. annan
    Dec 19, 2005
    10
    An amazing album and the best one shes done.
  15. AMiller
    Nov 1, 2002
    9
    It's a brilliant album. Tori did it again. =)
  16. ArtW
    Jan 13, 2003
    10
    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.
  17. AddieW
    Jan 2, 2004
    9
    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 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
  18. RandyB
    Jun 20, 2005
    9
    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
  19. TrixieL
    Jan 8, 2006
    10
    I love this album, nuff said
  20. DamienB
    May 20, 2006
    10
    an amazing album and is deff. one of my fav. tori albums expecially virginia and gold dust!!!! if i may say A may zing@!!
  21. Karen
    Aug 17, 2006
    10
    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 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
  22. Natasha
    Nov 1, 2002
    10
    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 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
  23. Coconut
    Nov 6, 2002
    9
    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.)
  24. Christian
    Jan 28, 2004
    10
    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.
  25. Nicky
    May 14, 2005
    10
    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.
  26. ChrisA
    Jun 18, 2005
    10
    Its the best album ever.
  27. AndreaN.
    Sep 25, 2005
    9
    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 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
  28. Stephen
    Jun 30, 2006
    9
    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.
  29. AdriJ
    Jul 26, 2006
    10
    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....
  30. DanaL
    Nov 12, 2002
    10
    Simply wonderful! I can't turn it off.
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Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Best Album of 2002
19
#19 Most Discussed Album of 2002
4
#4 Most Shared Album of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. E! Online
    67
    Walk isn't groundbreaking as much as typical Tori Amos--a dramatic menagerie of atmospheric tracks filled with manic piano, morose characters and so many literary allusions you'll need CliffsNotes to figure 'em out.
    Read full review
  2. CDNow
    60
    Her message, so powerful when unadorned, tends to get diluted by the awkward arrangements that accompany it.
    Read full review
  3. Alternative Press
    80
    The new album's themes show that Amos is energized with stories to tell once again - making Scarlet's Walk at once ambitious and also one of her most moving collections yet. [Nov 2002]
See all critic reviews »