User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Scarlet's Walk
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Scarlet's Walk Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 212 Ratings

  • Summary: The suddenly prolific Amos returns with 18 new tracks, begging the question: Y Kant Tori Capitalize Her Song Titles? The album, her first for Epic, is structured as a cross-country journey through the U.S.

Top Track

A Sorta Fairytale
On my way up north, up on the Ventura I pulled back the hood and I was talking to you And I knew then it would be a life long thing But I didn't know... See the rest of the song lyrics
See Full Track List »
Powered by

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. Blender
    100
    Uncommonly rich and unfashionably gynocentric, Scarlet's Walk makes the personal universal, using the stories of women lost, left and unseen to chart a map of the American psyche. [#11, p.124]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Trouser Press
    90
    A magnificent, epic take on American history and mythology.
  3. Spin
    90
    As usual, her melodies stubbornly refuse to turn into hooks, preferring to twirl into new territory. But her approach suits the material, which flows like the colors on a weather map, from Los Angeles to Nevada, from New York to Virginia, gathering thunder along the way. [Nov 2002]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. The A.V. Club
    70
    Amid all the elegantly sweeping, minor-key arrangements are the usual aggravating moments.
  5. Stylus Magazine
    70
    Yes, it’s a concept album, but it’s not crap. Actually, Scarlet’s Walk is very suitable for an artist with Amos’ capacity for spewing drama from her intense and highly articulated words.
  6. 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.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    16
    Cumulative effect? Soul-depleting. [1 Nov 2002, p.70]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 56
  3. Negative: 4 out of 56
  1. budgiecat
    Feb 11, 2012
    10
    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 albumNot 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
  2. descoladah
    Dec 7, 2017
    10
    her best album since choir girl and the last masterpiece she released (native invader is closer to this perfection)
    i cant see new york is    her best album since choir girl and the last masterpiece she released (native invader is closer to this perfection)
    i cant see new york is the best song in this album    … Expand
  4. 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 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.… Expand
  5. ReindeerKing
    Sep 12, 2018
    10
    Never in her career has Amos seemed more confident in tone and more serious of the play of her lyrics and sadness as poetry.
  6. 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 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.… Expand
  7. 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
  8. jamesb
    Nov 6, 2002
    1
    don't trust any reviewer that thinks they're on a first-name basis with tori amos. here's the truth about this thing. don't trust any reviewer that thinks they're on a first-name basis with tori amos. here's the truth about this thing. it's about 10 songs too long. it's completely irrelevant. it will only appeal to her core fanbase and select members of the VH1 crowd who live for this kind of sentimental fluff. nobody needs to hear this. completely irrelevant.… Expand

See all 56 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

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