Ophelia (album)

Ophelia
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 19, 1998
RecordedJuly 1996 – May 1997
Studio
  • Talking Dwarf (Little Valley, New York)
  • AIR (London, UK)
  • Ocean Way (Hollywood, California)
GenrePop, rock, folk
Length56:38
LabelElektra
ProducerNatalie Merchant
Natalie Merchant chronology
Tigerlily
(1995)
Ophelia
(1998)
Live in Concert
(1999)
Singles from Ophelia
  1. "Kind & Generous"
    Released: May 5, 1998
  2. "Break Your Heart"
    Released: 1998
  3. "Life Is Sweet"
    Released: 1999
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic
Chicago Sun-Times
Entertainment WeeklyB
The Guardian
Los Angeles Times
Pitchfork4.1/10
Q
Rolling Stone
Uncut
USA Today

Ophelia is the second studio album by the American singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant, released on May 19, 1998, by Elektra Records. The album was supported by the singles "Kind & Generous" and "Break Your Heart", with the former being the most successful single of the album, reaching the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay Chart. "Break Your Heart" also received single and video treatment. These and the other videos from the album, plus three from Tigerlily, were gathered on a Warner Music Vision home video, also entitled Ophelia. "I love the opportunity to flex my thespian muscle," Merchant quips on it. The album became Merchant's only top ten hit on the Billboard 200, where it peaked at number eight.

Merchant built Talking Dwarf Studio in her home and this was the sole recording made in her home studio; she sold the audio equipment in 2022.