Tigerlily is an album written, produced, and performed by Natalie Merchant, released on June 20, 1995 (see 1995 in music). It is her first solo album after splitting from the 10,000 Maniacs. Some reviews of the album praised Merchant’s confessional writing style while others criticized the same for undue sentimentality.
Tigerlily peaked at #13 on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart. It contained three pop hits, “Carnival” (#10), “Wonder” (#20), and “Jealousy” (#23).
In December 2015, the album was redone and released as Paradise Is There: The New Tigerlily Recordings as a part of the 20th anniversary of the original record.[8]
About the songs
The song “River” is a tribute to River Phoenix.
Aileen Wuornos had requested that Natalie Merchant’s song “Carnival” be played at her funeral. Natalie Merchant commented on this when asked why her song was run during the credits of the documentary Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer.
“When director Nick Broomfield sent a working edit of the film, I was so disturbed by the 
subject matter that I couldn’t even watch it. Aileen Wuornos led a tortured, torturing life that is beyond my worst nightmares. It wasn’t until I was told that Aileen spent many hours listening to my album Tigerlily while on death row and requested “Carnival” be played at her funeral that I gave permission for the use of the song. It’s very odd to think of the places my music can go once it leaves my hands. If it gave her some solace, I have to be grateful.” (by wikipedia)
Tigerlily, Natalie Merchant’s first solo record, does sound different than 10,000 Maniacs. Instead of relying strictly on jangly folk-rock, Merchant continues opening her music up as she did on Our Time in Eden, her last album with the Maniacs. From the understated groove of “Carnival” to the rolling “San Andreas Fault,” the added emphasis on rhythmic texture works, creating an intimate but not exclusive atmosphere that holds throughout the record, even when her occasionally sophomoric, sentimental poetry threatens to sink the album in the weight of its own preciousness (as in “River,” her tribute to the late actor River Phoenix). (by Stephen Thomas Erlewine)
Personnel:
Barrie Maguire (bass, guitar)
Natalie Merchant (vocals, keyboards, vibraphone)
Jennifer Turner (guitar, background vocals)
Peter Yanowitz (drums, percussion)
+
Adrian Lopez Guevarra (percussion)
Matt Henderson (bass, guitar)
John Holbrook (organ, guitar)
Katell Keineg (background vocals)
Michelle Kinney (cello)
Eric Schenkman (guitar)
Jay Ungar (violin)
Tracklist:
01. San Andreas Fault 3.59
02. Wonder 4.27
03. Beloved Wife 5.03
04. River 5.32
05. Carnival 5.59
06. I May Know The Word 8.09
07. The Letter 2.12
08. Cowboy Romance 4.39
09. Jealousy 2.41
10. Where I Go 4.01
11. Seven Years 5.31
All songs written by Natalie Merchant
ManyFantasticColors 