Ocean to Ocean
Ocean to Ocean | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | October 29, 2021 | |||
Recorded | 2021 | |||
Studio | Martian Engineering Studios, Cornwall, UK Cyclops Sound Studio, Los Angeles, California Studio Mezzanotte, Los Angeles, California Brickhill Studios, Orleans, Massachusetts | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 47:38 | |||
Label | Decca | |||
Producer | Tori Amos | |||
Tori Amos chronology | ||||
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Singles from Ocean to Ocean | ||||
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Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 81/100[2] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Pitchfork | 7.3/10[3] |
PopMatters | 8/10[1] |
Ocean to Ocean is the sixteenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Tori Amos, released on October 29, 2021.[4] A vinyl release followed on January 28, 2022.[5] Amos will support the album with a UK and Europe tour in February and March 2022, with a yet to be announced US tour to follow.[6]
Background and composition[]
Amos wrote and recorded the album while in lockdown in Cornwall,[7] where she lives, with her writing inspired by her fascination with "the county's landscapes and ancient myths".[8] Part of her writing was also explained to be in reaction to the 2021 United States Capitol attack.[5]
In a press release, Amos described the album as "a record about your losses, and how you cope with them". She elaborated that she realized she had to "write" to "shift" her perception of herself, saying: "I was in my own private hell, so I told myself, then that's where you write from—you've done it before." Amos also explained that the album is intended to "sit" with listeners, particularly if they are "in a place of loss. [...] When somebody is actually at that place, thinking 'I'm done,' how do you reach that person? [...] It's about sitting in the muck together."[5]
Critical reception[]
"Ocean to Ocean" received universal acclaim from music critics upon release. The album received a score of 81 out of 100 on the review aggregator website Metacritic, based on nine reviews, making it Amos' most well-received album since Metacritic began tracking reviews in 2001.[2]
Track listing[]
All tracks are written by Tori Amos.
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Addition of Light Divided" | 4:05 |
2. | "Speaking with Trees" | 3:55 |
3. | "Devil's Bane" | 4:32 |
4. | "Swim to New York State" | 4:20 |
5. | "Spies" | 5:59 |
6. | "Ocean to Ocean" | 3:30 |
7. | "Flowers Burn to Gold" | 3:41 |
8. | "Metal Water Wood" | 4:00 |
9. | "29 Years" | 4:47 |
10. | "How Glass Is Made" | 3:56 |
11. | "Birthday Baby" | 4:44 |
Total length: | 47:38 |
Personnel[]
Musicians
- Tori Amos – vocals, piano (all tracks); Hammond B3, keyboards, Rhodes, Wurlitzer electric piano (1–6, 8–11)
- John Philip Shenale – Marxophone, Optigan, sampling, synthesizer (all tracks); additional keyboards (1, 3–5, 11), Hammond organ (4, 5, 11)
- Tash – additional vocals (1–3)
- Jon Evans – bass (1–6, 8–11)
- Matt Chamberlain – drums, percussion (1–6, 8–11)
- Mark Hawley – guitar (1–6, 8–11), dobro (2, 3)
Technical
- Jon Astley – mastering
- Miles Showell – vinyl mastering
- Adrian Hall – mixing
- Mark Hawley – mixing, recording
- Jon Evans – recording (1–6, 8–11)
- John Philip Shenale – recording (1, 3–5, 11)
- Matt Chamberlain – recording (1–6, 8–11)
- Adam Spry – recording assistance
Artwork and design
- Matt Read – package design
- Desmond Murray – photography, hair stylist
- Kavita Kaul – make-up
Charts[]
Chart (2021–2022) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (ARIA)[10] | 46 |
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[11] | 23 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[12] | 54 |
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[13] | 57 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[14] | 58 |
French Albums (SNEP)[15] | 200 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[16] | 26 |
Irish Albums (IRMA)[17] | 96 |
Polish Albums (ZPAV)[18] | 34 |
Scottish Albums (OCC)[19] | 19 |
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[20] | 15 |
UK Albums (OCC)[21] | 25 |
US Billboard 200[22] | 104 |
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[23] | 9 |
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[24] | 16 |
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[25] | 6 |
References[]
- ^ a b Vallese, Joe (October 29, 2021). "Tori Amos: Ocean to Ocean (Album Review)". PopMatters. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
- ^ a b "Tori Amos - Ocean to Ocean". Metacritic. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
- ^ Johnston, Maura (December 3, 2021). "Tori Amos: Ocean to Ocean Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
- ^ Benitez-Eves, Tina (September 20, 2021). "Tori Amos Set to Release 16th Album 'Ocean to Ocean'". American Songwriter. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
- ^ a b c Hussey, Allison; Monroe, Jazz (September 20, 2021). "Tori Amos Announces New Album Ocean to Ocean". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
- ^ Richards, Will (September 20, 2021). "Tori Amos announces lockdown-inspired new album 'Ocean To Ocean'". NME. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
- ^ Rettig, James (September 20, 2021). "Tori Amos Announces New Album Ocean To Ocean". Stereogum. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
- ^ Sherwin, Adam (September 20, 2021). "Tori Amos records Cornwall lockdown album Ocean to Ocean: 'Bats are welcome visitors at my farm'". i. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
- ^ Sinclair, Paul (September 20, 2021). "Tori Amos / Ocean to Ocean". Super Deluxe Edition. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. November 8, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Tori Amos – Ocean to Ocean" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Tori Amos – Ocean to Ocean" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Tori Amos – Ocean to Ocean" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Tori Amos – Ocean to Ocean" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
- ^ "Top Albums (Week 44, 2021)". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Tori Amos – Ocean to Ocean" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
- ^ "Irish Albums Chart: 5 November 2021". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
- ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Tori Amos – Ocean to Ocean". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
- ^ "Tori Amos Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "Tori Amos Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "Tori Amos Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "Tori Amos Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
- 2021 albums
- Cornwall in fiction
- Decca Records albums
- Tori Amos albums