Oracle (Kittie album)

{{Infobox album

| name = Oracle

| type = studio

| artist = Kittie

| cover = File:Kittie_Oracle.jpg

| alt = A flaming mason jar against a black background. The text "Kittie" in top left corner, and "Oracle" on bottom right corner

| released = {{start date|2001|11|12}}

| recorded = July 21 – August 14, 2001

| studio = EMAC (London, Ontario)

| genre = {{flatlist|

}}

| length = 47:41

| label = Artemis

| producer = Garth Richardson

| prev_title = Paperdoll

| prev_year = 2000

| next_title = Safe

| next_year = 2002

| misc = {{Singles

| name = Oracle

| type = studio

| single1 = What I Always Wanted

| single1date = October 9, 2001

| single2 = Run Like Hell

| single2date = January 16, 2002

| single3 = In Winter

| single3date = May 13, 2002

}}

Oracle is the second studio album by Canadian heavy metal band Kittie, released on November 12, 2001, by Artemis Records. The band recorded the album as a three-piece following the departure of co-founding guitarist and vocalist Fallon Bowman, whom was replaced by touring guitarist Jeff Phillips, at EMAC Recording Studios with producer Garth Richardson between July and August 2001. Categorized as death metal, nu metal, and thrash metal, Oracle has been described as an angrier, more aggressive and extreme album than Kittie's debut album Spit (1999). It was Kittie's only album with bassist Talena Atfield, who left the band four months after its release.

Upon release, Oracle received mixed reviews from critics, whom acknowledged Kittie's musical growth but were divided on the quality of the album's songwriting. Retrospective reviews have been more favourable. The album debuted at number 57 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 33,000 copies in its opening week, and also made appearances on the German and UK Albums Charts. By 2004, it had sold 220,000 copies in the United States. Kittie embarked on an international tour in support of Oracle that ran from August 2001 to February 2003; the band committed to extended touring as they felt it had not been publicized enough.

==Background and recording==

In November 1999, Kittie released their debut album Spit, through Ng Records. Shortly after the album's release, Ng was acquired by Artemis Records, who gave the album a wider release on January 11, 2000.{{Cite web |last=Leivers |first=Dannii |date=2021-09-17 |title=The Story Behind The Song: Kittie's Brackish |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-story-behind-the-song-kitties-spit |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313235753/https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-story-behind-the-song-kitties-spit |archive-date=2023-03-13 |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=Metal Hammer (loudersound) |language=en}} The album was a commercial success, becoming certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).{{Cite web |last=Alderslade |first=Merlin |date=2024-04-03 |title="The world is ready for us now". Why nu metal heroes Kittie are finally ready to grab the limelight once again |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/kittie-ready-for-comeback |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=Metal Hammer |language=en |via=Louder Sound |archive-date=April 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405123846/https://www.loudersound.com/news/kittie-ready-for-comeback |url-status=live }} In between tours in support of the album, Kittie wrote two new songs; "Pain", whose main riff was composed during soundchecks at Ozzfest, and "Mouthful of Poison".{{Cite web |last=Smathers |date=2001 |title=Kittie - Morgan Lander |url=http://www.uraniummusic.com/interviews/interview.php?id=12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030503032802/http://uraniummusic.com/interviews/interview.php?id=12 |archive-date=2003-05-03 |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=Uranium |type=Interview 1}} On October 31, 2000, Kittie debuted "Pain" live in San Antonio, Texas.{{Sfn|Arnopp|2001}} The band played both of their new songs whilst performing on the SnoCore Rock tour in January and February 2001.{{Cite web |last=Mernagh |first=Matt |date=2001-01-16 |title=Morgan's Kittie Angered About Snocore Rock 2001 Tour |url=http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2001/01/1601.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010719224217/http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2001/01/1601.cfm |archive-date=2001-07-19 |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Chart Attack}}{{Cite web |last=D'Angelo |first=Joe |date=2001-01-09 |title=Kittie To Scratch Out New LP After SnoCore |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1437795/20010109/story.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040803111143/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1437795/20010109/story.jhtml |archive-date=2004-08-03 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=MTV News}} In an January 2001 interview with NME, guitarist and vocalist Morgan Lander said that Kittie's next album would be more aggressive than their debut.{{Cite web |last= |date=2001-01-30 |title=Kittie Sink Their Claws Into Napster |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kittie-5-1398416 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412121214/https://www.nme.com/news/music/kittie-5-1398416 |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} In an interview with The GW Hatchet the following month, she highlighted the fact Kittie "haven't written [new material] in 4 or 5 years" and acknowledged a change in influence from the band's early days, stating: "Then we listened to bands like Nirvana, Silverchair, and Alice in Chains. Now we listen to stuff like Cannibal Corpse and Nile". Following the SnoCore tour's conclusion on February 17, 2001, Kittie began working on new material in the basement of Morgan and drummer Mercedes Lander's parents' house in London, Ontario.{{Cite web |last=van Horn |first=Teri |date=March 12, 2001 |title=Kittie Sharpen Their Claws For Next Album |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/v9us6o/kittie-sharpen-their-claws-for-next-album |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412123624/https://www.mtv.com/news/v9us6o/kittie-sharpen-their-claws-for-next-album |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=MTV News |language=en}} By March 2001, they had written five or six songs. Kittie wrote the music together whilst Morgan wrote its lyrics.{{Cite web |title=Kittie Drives Sound Home at Jaxx |url=http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2003/jun/24/kittie-drives-sound-home-at-jaxx/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605103736/http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2003/jun/24/kittie-drives-sound-home-at-jaxx/ |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |access-date=2023-06-05 |website=The Connection}} As with Spit, the band wrote the music first, as a "backdrop" to Morgan's vocals.{{Cite web |last=Joseph |first=Peter |date=February 8, 2001 |title=Sno-core Ball hits with metal edge |url=http://media.www.gwhatchet.com/media/storage/paper332/news/2001/02/08/Arts/SnoCore.Ball.Hits.With.Metal.Edge-27310.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712002040/http://media.www.gwhatchet.com/media/storage/paper332/news/2001/02/08/Arts/SnoCore.Ball.Hits.With.Metal.Edge-27310.shtml |archive-date=July 12, 2012 |access-date=July 16, 2011 |website=The GW Hatchet}}

According to bassist Talena Atfield, Kittie were given three months to write and record Oracle, but it ultimately took them five.{{Cite web |last=Suzy & Mindy |date=2001-10-28 |title=Kittie Interview |url=http://noizepollution.com/kittie/kittie.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040831041554/http://noizepollution.com/kittie/kittie.asp |archive-date=2004-08-31 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Noize Addict}} The band quickly became stressed and frustrated by attempting to write new material immediately after coming off the road, leading them to take a month-long break before trying again. Mercedes said she found writing to be particularly hard as she had not "come into [her] own for writing songs" at the time.{{sfn|McCallum|2017|loc=37:52–38:04}} Writing was finished by June 2001.{{Cite web |last=Barker |first=Samuel |date=January 17, 2002 |title=Interviews: Kittie |url=http://www.rockzone.com/interviews/kittie.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020228125147/http://www.rockzone.com/interviews/kittie.shtml |archive-date=2002-02-28 |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=Rockzone.com}} According to Mercedes, the album's songs were completed in pre-production and were not changed during recording.{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=James |date=November 2001 |title=Interviews - Kittie: Finding An Oracle |url=http://www.shoutweb.com/interviews/kittie1101.phtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020808143532/http://www.shoutweb.com/interviews/kittie1101.phtml |archive-date=2002-08-08 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Shoutweb}} Weeks before recording was due to begin,{{Sfn|Stillman|2001|p=104}} co-founding member and guitarist Fallon Bowman left Kittie, due to creative differences with Morgan and her own struggles dealing with the band's newfound pressures.{{Cite web |last=D'Angelo |first=Joe |date=July 15, 2002 |title=Ex-Kittie Guitarist Scratches Back, Talks Of Plans For Assault |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/5qea8f/ex-kittie-guitarist-scratches-back-talks-of-plans-for-assault |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411153635/https://www.mtv.com/news/5qea8f/ex-kittie-guitarist-scratches-back-talks-of-plans-for-assault |archive-date=April 11, 2023 |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=MTV News |language=en |quote=}}{{sfn|McCallum|2017|loc=31:31–32:13, 32:40–33:42}} On July 1, 2001, Kittie played their first show with guitarist Jeff Phillips, the band's guitar tech, in Alberquerque, New Mexico.{{sfn|Saidman|2001b}} Phillips was not identified until Artemis Records released a statement on August 9, 2001, confirming that Kittie would be continuing as a three-piece with him filling in as a touring guitarist; Bowman was not named in the statement.{{Sfn|Saidman|2001b}}{{Cite web |last=D'Angelo |first=Joe |date=August 9, 2001 |title=Kittie Guitarist Scratched From Lineup |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/697p0j/kittie-guitarist-scratched-from-lineup |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330095014/https://www.mtv.com/news/697p0j/kittie-guitarist-scratched-from-lineup |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=MTV News |language=en}}

Kittie recorded Oracle at EMAC Recording Studios in London, Ontario with producer Garth Richardson, whom they had both used for Spit, between July 21 and August 14, 2001.{{Cite web |last= |date=2001-05-27 |title=Kittie Get Set to Page the Oracle |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kittie-3-1387638 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402151901/https://www.nme.com/news/music/kittie-3-1387638 |archive-date=April 2, 2023 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2001-06-27 |title=Kittie Face The Beast In Japan |url=http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2001/06/2701.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010708185827/http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2001/06/2701.cfm |archive-date=2001-07-08 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Chart Attack}} As a result of Bowman's departure, Morgan recorded all of Oracle{{'s}} guitar parts herself.{{Sfn|Stillman|2001|p=102, 104}} Richardson said that recording the album was easier than its writing process due to Morgan and Mercedes "knowing what they wanted to do".{{sfn|McCallum|2017|loc=35:32–35:54}} In a 2001 interview with Guitar World, Morgan said that the band aimed to make a "straight-ahead metal record. Our attitude was, Don't fuck around; don't play bloops or bleeps".{{Sfn|Stillman|2001|p=102}} She said the band felt no pressure recording the album as they were confident that its material would surpass Spit.{{Cite web |last=Iwasaki |first=Scott |date=2002-08-02 |title=Kittie has come far from 'just for fun' |url=https://www.deseret.com/2002/8/2/19669401/kittie-has-come-far-from-just-for-fun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423140406/https://www.deseret.com/2002/8/2/19669401/kittie-has-come-far-from-just-for-fun |archive-date=April 23, 2023 |access-date=2023-04-23 |website=Deseret News |language=en}} Morgan and Atfield recorded their parts with equipment from their live rigs. The former played a Gibson Flying V and a similarly shaped custom guitar through a Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifer and occasionally an Egnater, whilst the latter used a five-string B.C. Rich Widow custom bass with an Ampeg B5R amp.{{Sfn|Stillman|2001|p=102}} The album's mixing process, handled by Randy Staub at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, was completed by the end of August 2001.

== Composition and lyrics ==

Described as an angrier, more aggressive and extreme album than Spit,{{Sfn|Lane|2001b}} Oracle has been categorized as death metal,{{Cite web |last=Oliver |date=2001-11-23 |title=Kittie - Oracle Review • metal.de |url=https://www.metal.de/reviews/kittie-oracle-1826/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126064825/https://www.metal.de/reviews/kittie-oracle-1826/ |archive-date=2020-11-26 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=metal.de}} nu metal,{{Sfn|Popoff|Perri|2011}}{{Sfn|Finney|2001}} and thrash metal.{{Sfn|Catucci|2001}} Kori Golding of Chart Attack described its songs as "pure rage and venom", with Morgan sounding "utterly demonic".{{Cite web |last=Golding |first=Kori |date=2001-11-13 |title=CD Reviews: Kittie, Moist, Radiohead, Sevendust, Swollen Members and many more |url=http://chartattack.com/damn/2001/11/1301.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011218104314/http://chartattack.com/damn/2001/11/1301.cfm |archive-date=2001-12-18 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Chart Attack}} The album contains heavy, chopping guitar riffs and percussion, double bass drumming,{{Sfn|Fissure|2003}} time signature changes,{{Sfn|Fissure|2003}} and screamed, growled and cleanly sung vocals.{{cite web |last=Udo |first=Tommy |date=November 12, 2001 |title=review - Oracle by Kittie |url=http://playlouder.com/review/419kittie.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020211093519/http://playlouder.com/review/419kittie.html |archive-date=February 11, 2002 |access-date=2015-12-02 |website=Playlouder |ref=none}} Drowned in Sound{{'s}} Ollie Appelby stated that the album is focused on presenting music "as [based on] emotion, as power", instead of instrumentation. In an 2007 interview with the Cleveland Scene, Morgan said that the aim of Oracle was to confirm that Kittie "weren't what a lot of critics wrote us off as, [and] that we were a real metal band".{{Cite web |last=Kotz |first=Pete |date=March 21, 2007 |title=Talking Girl Metal from Kittie's Morgan Lander |url=https://www.clevescene.com/music/talking-girl-metal-from-kitties-morgan-lander-1559787 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413153027/https://www.clevescene.com/music/talking-girl-metal-from-kitties-morgan-lander-1559787 |archive-date=April 13, 2023 |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=Cleveland Scene |language=en}} In a 2024 interview with Metal Hammer, Mercedes described the album as "the complete antithesis of Spit{{Nbsp}}" and Kittie's attempt to lean into a heavier sound.{{Cite web |last=Leivers |first=Dannii |date=2024-04-06 |title=“We were coming back and taking no prisoners”: every Kittie album in their own words |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/every-kittie-album-in-their-own-words |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Metal Hammer |language=en |via=loudersound |archive-date=April 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409021624/https://www.loudersound.com/features/every-kittie-album-in-their-own-words |url-status=live }} As she had on Spit, Morgan based Oracle{{'s}} lyrics off of her personal experiences, albeit from a broader, less localized perspective.{{Sfn|Stillman|2001|p=66}} In an 2001 interview with Rock Sound, she said Kittie's songs were about "human relations, interaction, and learning from your mistakes".{{Sfn|Durham|2001}} Nick Catucci of Spin felt the album's lyrics were more introspective than confrontational,{{Sfn|Catucci|2001}} whilst Dave Ebner of The Globe and Mail highlighted their ambiguous nature.{{Sfn|Ebner|2001}} The lyrics do not feature any swearing, something Morgan said was unintentional but considered representative of her improved self-articulation.{{Sfn|Ebner|2001}}

{{Listen

| filename = Oracle Sample.ogg

| title = "Oracle"

| description = The title track features "chugging guitars, pounding drums", and hard-to-discern screamed vocals from Morgan.{{sfn|Ebner|2001}}

| filename2 = In Winter sample.ogg

| title2 = "In Winter"

| description2 = An alternative rock and gothic metal{{sfn|Richardson|2001}} song, "In Winter" sees Morgan alternate between clean singing and growled vocals over a melodic counterpoint.{{sfn|Fissure|2003}}

}}

Oracle{{'s}} two-minute long title track,{{Sfn|Ebner|2001}} which Golding and Rolling Stone{{'s}} Tom Moon credited with establishing the album's tone, is characterized by its "churning guitars, pounding drums" and Morgan's hard-to-discern screamed vocals.{{Sfn|Ebner|2001}} "Mouthful of Poison" features speed metal guitar riffs and a "big '70s-style outro [that] gives it an epic, arty feel", according to Chart Attack{{'s}} Liisa Ladouceur.{{Cite web |last=Ladouceur |first=Liisa "KittyKat" |date=2001-08-23 |title=Sneaking A Peak At Kittie*s Oracle! |url=http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2001/08/2306.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011106192023/http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2001/08/2306.cfm |archive-date=2001-11-06 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Chart Attack}} Morgan said that the song is about people who spread false rumours and assumptions about Kittie and others to bring them down.{{Sfn|Lane|2001a}} Described as a "big pop move" by Sean Richardson of The Boston Phoenix,{{Sfn|Richardson|2001}} "In Winter" is an alternative rock and gothic metal{{Sfn|Richardson|2001}} song that sees Morgan alternate between singing and screaming, with her growling providing a counterpoint to its opening melody.{{Sfn|Fissure|2003}} "Severed", which Bradley Torreano of AllMusic described as "Pantera-esque", is about "feeling hopelessness and abandonment".{{sfn|Hannaham|2002|p=25}} Kittie began covering Pink Floyd's "Run Like Hell" at their shows after the band were asked to contribute to a Pink Floyd tribute album—which was ultimately scrapped—in February 2000. The band included the cover on Oracle as they felt the album lacked enough material. Highlighting its "drilling" double bass drumming and "coal-burning" guitarwork, Catucci described Kittie's cover as a "metamorphoses" akin to Tori Amos' cover of Eminem's "97' Bonnie & Clyde".{{Sfn|Catucci|2001}} Conversely, Graham Finney of Rock Sound remarked it was nothing other than a Kittie song due to its "gritty nu-metal twist".{{Sfn|Finney|2001}} The song ends with an "unscripted guitar freakout".{{Sfn|Richardson|2001}} "Pain" is about "the state of being in pain", reflecting the stresses of Kittie's touring. Ladouceur described it as a "full-throttle, go-for-the-kill-track".

The lyrics of "What I Always Wanted" reflect the pressures Kittie faced from the music industry whilst working on material for Oracle.{{Cite magazine |last=Saidman |first=Sorielle |date=2001-08-28 |title=Kittie Grow Up on "Oracle" |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/kittie/articles/story/5931520/kittie_grow_up_on_oracle |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212074407/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/kittie/articles/story/5931520/kittie_grow_up_on_oracle |archive-date=2007-02-12 |access-date=2024-04-22 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}{{Cite web |last=Prato |first=Greg |date=October 14, 2015 |title=Morgan Lander of Kittie : Songwriter Interviews |url=https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/morgan-lander-of-kittie |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328113800/https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/morgan-lander-of-kittie |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |access-date=April 30, 2023 |website=Songfacts}} In an interview with SOCAN's Words & Music, Morgan said that "Safe" is about having hope and patience in order to achieve one's dreams.{{Sfn|Jennings|2001}} Torreano described the song as a "piano metal dirge". Mercedes said the song came about from Morgan "diddling around on the computer one day" and likened it to Kittie's earlier song "Immortal". Morgan said it was her favourite track from Oracle, feeling it proved Kittie were "capable of doing so many different things".{{Sfn|Ebner|2001}} "No Name" features "rolling drums and chugging guitars" and was compared to Machine Head circa Burn My Eyes. Morgan completed the song at the last minute before her final vocal recording session for Oracle, and as such, it did not receive a title. The album ends with the "ballad-like", ten minute-long closer "Pink Lemonade", whose length led to comparisons with the Slipknot songs "Scissors" and "Iowa".{{Sfn|Finney|2001}}{{Sfn|Udo|2001}} According to Mercedes, Morgan wanted to show how "some things even if they look pretty and inviting sometimes have a darker ugly side to them".{{Cite web |last=Clingempeel |first=Jessica |date=n.d. |title=Interview with Mercedes of Kittie |url=https://etherealmetalzine.com/2018/04/21/interview-with-mercedes-of-kittie/ |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Ethereal Metal Webzine |language=en |publication-date=2018-04-21}}

Title and artwork

Morgan said that Oracle{{'s}} title was intended to represent how it was Kittie's "coming-into-our-own album", stating: "An oracle speaks of truth, and sort of foresees the future. [...] We've found our own sound, and it's our truth".{{cite web |title=Pro Audio: Kittie |url=http://www.yamaha.com/artists/kittie.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921041721/http://www.yamaha.com/artists/kittie.html |archive-date=September 21, 2015 |access-date=August 25, 2015 |website=Yamaha |publisher=}} Morgan came up with and designed the artwork concept, which shows an x-ray of a mason jar in a stomach, after reading an article about "people swallowing weird things" in Discover magazine.{{Cite web |last=Carras |first=Mark |last2=Carras |first2=Sherri |date=2002-07-01 |title=Kittie Interview |url=http://www.abrasiverock.com/interviews/kittieinterview.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020922125856/http://www.abrasiverock.com/interviews/kittieinterview.html |archive-date=2002-09-22 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Abrasive Rock}} Similar images displaying "x-ray images of self-mutilation" are found inside the album's liner notes, according to the Sandra Sperounes of the Edmonton Journal.{{Sfn|Sperounes|2001}}

== Release and promotion ==

On August 21, 2001, eight songs from Oracle were previewed at a private listening session at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver. During the weekend of August 25–26, 2001, Kittie performed at the Beast Fest in Japan, after which they played a few shows in Europe, Australia, and North America. On September 7, 2001, "What I Always Wanted" was made available as a free download on the band's website.{{Cite web |last=Jam! Music |first= |date=September 7, 2001 |title=New Kittie single available for download |url=http://www.canoe.com/JamMusicArtistsK/kittie.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021027002124/http://www.canoe.com:80/JamMusicArtistsK/kittie.html |archive-date=2002-10-27 |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=Jam! Showbiz |via=canoe.com}} The song was serviced to radio stations as the lead single from Oracle on October 9, 2001.{{sfn|R&R|2001}} Thomas Mignone directed its music video, which "concerns the self-destructive consequences of greed".{{Cite web |last=D'Angelo |first=Joe |date=October 8, 2001 |title=Kittie Shake A Finger At The Greedy In New Video |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/5yzpp0/kittie-shake-a-finger-at-the-greedy-in-new-video |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411150944/https://www.mtv.com/news/5yzpp0/kittie-shake-a-finger-at-the-greedy-in-new-video |archive-date=April 11, 2023 |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=MTV News |language=en}} The single peaked at number 36 on Billboard{{'s}} Active Rock chart, whilst the video received heavy airplay on the MTV, MTV2, MTVX and MuchMusic channels.{{sfn|Hart|2001}} Artemis Records shipped 400,000 copies of Oracle to stores prior to its release, and promoted the album through independent retailers and magazines including Bust, ROCKRGRL, Metal Edge, Rolling Stone and Spin.{{sfn|Hart|2001}} According to Artemis employee Michael Krumper, the label targeted MTV2 and heavy metal magazines instead of fashion and teen magazines as the "true metal fan [wasn't] going to look for [Kittie] there".{{Sfn|Miller, Gerri|2001}} Following manufacturing delays due to the September 11 attacks,{{Cite web |last=Cantin |first=Paul |date=September 20, 2001 |title=Kittie album delayed by NYC attacks |url=http://www.canoe.com/JamMusicArtistsK/kittie.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021027002124/http://www.canoe.com:80/JamMusicArtistsK/kittie.html |archive-date=2002-10-27 |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=Jam! Showbiz |via=canoe.com}} Oracle was released in Europe on November 12, 2001,{{Sfn|Durham|2001|p=38}} and in the United States the day after. The album debuted and peaked at number 57 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 33,000 copies in its first week.{{Sfn|Hart|2001}} The album also reached number 91 on the German Offizielle Top 100 Albums chart, and number 121 on the UK Albums Chart. By July 2004, Oracle had sold 220,000 copies in the United States.{{Cite web |last=Zulaica |first=Don |date=July 28, 2004 |title=liveDaily Interview: Morgan Lander of Kittie |url=http://www.livedaily.com/interviews/liveDaily_Interview_Morgan_Lander_of_Kittie-6854.html?t=6 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051122105532/http://www.livedaily.com/interviews/liveDaily_Interview_Morgan_Lander_of_Kittie-6854.html?t=6 |archive-date=2005-11-22 |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=LiveDaily}}

Kittie embarked on an international tour in support of Oracle, starting with two tours of North America, from October 21 to November 23, 2001, and December 27, 2001, to January 26, 2002.{{Cite web |last=D'Angelo |first=Joe |date=December 11, 2001 |title=Kittie Hitting The Road After Christmas |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/b09yf7/kittie-hitting-the-road-after-christmas |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411150946/https://www.mtv.com/news/b09yf7/kittie-hitting-the-road-after-christmas |archive-date=April 11, 2023 |access-date=2023-04-11 |website=MTV News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2001-12-26 |title=They Put The Grrr In Grrrl |url=https://news.pollstar.com/2001/12/26/they-put-the-grrr-in-grrrl/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423132446/https://news.pollstar.com/2001/12/26/they-put-the-grrr-in-grrrl/ |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=Pollstar News |language=en-US}} Ill Niño supported the band on both tour legs, with No One and Chimaira providing additional support on the second. On November 24, 2001, Kittie performed at the Harpos Theatre in Detroit, Michigan, where they filmed two live music videos, for "Pain" and "Run Like Hell".{{Cite web |date=2001-11-06 |title=Archive News Nov 06, 2001 |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/archive-news-nov-06-2001 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Blabbermouth.net |language=en |quote=Kittie will be shooting a live video for the track "Pain", off the group's forthcoming Oracle CD, at Harpos in Detroit on November 24th. |archive-date=January 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120201820/https://blabbermouth.net/news/archive-news-nov-06-2001 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2022-11-30 |title=See Kittie Play Crushing Cover of Pink Floyd's "Run Like Hell" in 2001 |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/see-kittie-play-crushing-cover-pink-floyds-run-hell-2001/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Revolver |language=en-US |quote= |archive-date=June 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617093926/https://www.revolvermag.com/music/see-kittie-play-crushing-cover-pink-floyds-run-hell-2001 |url-status=live }} The band financed both videos themselves.{{Cite web |last=Smathers |date=2002 |title=Kittie - Morgan Lander |url=http://www.uraniummusic.com/interviews/interview.php?id=27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040107081316/http://www.uraniummusic.com/interviews/interview.php?id=27 |archive-date=2004-01-07 |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=Uranium |type=Interview 2}}{{Cite web |last=Easton |first=Jeff |date=November 18, 2003 |title=Interviews 2003 : Morgan & Mercedes of Kittie |url=http://www.metal-exiles.com:80/modules/news02/print.php?storyid=57&PHPSESSID=14b93dfc00036d7ac5b2ba1eb9364e21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051024123739/http://www.metal-exiles.com:80/modules/news02/print.php?storyid=57&PHPSESSID=14b93dfc00036d7ac5b2ba1eb9364e21 |archive-date=2005-10-24 |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=The Metal Exiles |publication-date=December 8, 2003}} The "Run Like Hell" video was aired on MTV2's Headbangers Ball. On January 16, 2002, Kittie released "Run Like Hell" as a digital-only single.{{Cite web |date= |title=Artemis Records - Artist News |url=http://www.artemisrecords.com/news.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020608160218/http://www.artemisrecords.com/news.aspx |archive-date=2002-06-08 |access-date=2023-03-20 |website=artemisrecords.com}} That same month, Artemis serviced the Live in Hell extended play (EP) to radio stations, featuring the song and three live tracks recorded in Detroit.{{Sfn|Correia|2001}}{{Sfn|Sciarretto|2002}} From February 2 to March 2, 2002, the Kittie toured Europe supported by Shadows Fall.{{Cite web |title=Shadows Fall to support Kittie on the road in UK |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/1042/shadows-fall-to-support-kittie-on-the-road-in-uk/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604123924/https://lambgoat.com/news/1042/shadows-fall-to-support-kittie-on-the-road-in-uk/ |archive-date=June 4, 2023 |access-date=2023-06-04 |website=lambgoat.com |language=en}} On March 18, 2002, Talena Atfield left the band.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Jonathan |date=November 2002 |title=Hear Kittie Kittie: Canadian Metal Maidens |url=http://www.prickmag.net/kittiefeature.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030203064741/http://www.prickmag.net/kittiefeature.html |archive-date=2003-02-03 |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=Prick}} Two days later, Kittie recruited Jennifer Arroyo, formerly of the rap metal band Spine, as her replacement. Arroyo and Kittie had first met each other in 2000, when both of their bands played on Farmclub.com.

Arroyo played her debut gig with Kittie in Manchester, New Hampshire on March 29, 2002.{{Cite web |last=Catlin |first=Roger |date=2002-03-28 |title=Here, Kittie, With One Less Player |url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2002-03-28-0203281481-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428140700/https://www.courant.com/2002/03/28/here-kittie-with-one-less-player/ |archive-date=April 28, 2023 |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=Hartford Courant |language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine |last=Jeckell |first=Barry |date=2002-03-21 |title=Billboard Bits: Waylon Jennings, Kittie, Ani DiFranco |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/billboard-bits-waylon-jennings-kittie-ani-difranco-76393/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423115559/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/billboard-bits-waylon-jennings-kittie-ani-difranco-76393/ |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-23 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}} From April 7 to April 21, 2002, Kittie embarked on the F.ck Yer Label tour with Skinlab, Flaw and My Ruin.{{Cite web |date=2002-03-09 |title=Kittie, Flaw, Skinlab And My Ruin US Tour: More Details Revealed |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kittie-flaw-skinlab-and-my-ruin-us-tour-more-details-revealed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423132445/https://blabbermouth.net/news/kittie-flaw-skinlab-and-my-ruin-us-tour-more-details-revealed |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=Blabbermouth.net |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2002-03-18 |title=Kittie, Skinlab, Flaw, My Ruin Additional Dates, Details Announced |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kittie-skinlab-flaw-my-ruin-additional-dates-details-announced/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423132446/https://blabbermouth.net/news/kittie-skinlab-flaw-my-ruin-additional-dates-details-announced |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=Blabbermouth.net |language=en}} On May 13, 2002, "In Winter" was released as the third and final single from Oracle.{{sfn|HITS|2002}} Morgan expressed interest in making a video for the song but said it was unlikely due to a lack of support. On May 25, 2002, Kittie performed on the Kerrang! stage of the UK edition of Ozzfest at Donington Park, as part of the first (and only) European Ozzfest tour.{{Cite web |date=2002-05-02 |title=Kittie, Skindred Confirmed For UK Ozzfest |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kittie-skindred-confirmed-for-uk-ozzfest/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423115557/https://blabbermouth.net/news/kittie-skindred-confirmed-for-uk-ozzfest |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=Blabbermouth.net |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=NME |date=2005-09-12 |title=Ozzfest : Castle Donington Park |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-nme-6434-328481 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423132443/https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-nme-6434-328481 |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} In July and August 2002, the band toured with Shadows Fall, Poison the Well, Killswitch Engage and Hotwire.{{Cite web |date=July 2, 2002 |title=Kittie, PTW, Shadows Fall, and KsE dates |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/1581/kittie-ptw-shadows-fall-and-kse-dates/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202182614/https://lambgoat.com/news/1581/kittie-ptw-shadows-fall-and-kse-dates/ |archive-date=December 2, 2023 |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=lambgoat.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Autry |first=Paul |date=2002-07-17 |title=Women in Rock - Kittie |url=https://ballbustermusic.com/2002/07/16/kittie/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208184105/https://ballbustermusic.com/2002/07/16/kittie/ |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=BallBuster Music |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date= |title=Tour Dates |url=http://kittie.net:80/tour/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020803212818/http://kittie.net:80/tour/index.html |archive-date=2002-08-03 |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=kittie.net}} In October and November 2002, the band toured with Ünloco, Acacia and Clockwise. Coinciding with the tour, Kittie released the Safe EP on November 19, 2002, which features five live tracks recorded at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California, on August 12, 2002, and two remixes of "Safe" by Sascha Konietzko of KMFDM.{{Cite web |last=General |first=Tokemaster |date=October 28, 2002 |title=Kittie Releases New EP |url=https://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=1502 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417120700/https://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=1502 |archive-date=April 17, 2023 |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=KNAC}} The EP had sold 20,000 copies by November 2003. In January and February 2003, Kittie toured the United States with Brand New Sin and Eighteen Visions.{{Cite web |date=2002-12-14 |title=Kittie, Biohazard, Brand New Sin: First Dates Announced |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kittie-biohazard-brand-new-sin-first-dates-announced/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423134526/https://blabbermouth.net/news/kittie-biohazard-brand-new-sin-first-dates-announced |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=Blabbermouth.net |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2003-01-02 |title=Kittie, Biohazard, Brand New Sin: More Dates Announced |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/kittie-biohazard-brand-new-sin-more-dates-announced/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206032919/https://blabbermouth.net/news/kittie-biohazard-brand-new-sin-more-dates-announced |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=Blabbermouth.net |language=en}} Biohazard were initially involved in the tour, but dropped out after the band's bassist and vocalist Evan Seinfeld was hospitalized due to an unknown illness.{{Cite web |date=January 17, 2003 |title=For The Record: Quick News On Ashanti, Avril Lavigne, Nelly, JC Chasez, White Stripes, Biohazard & More |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/cer0k0/for-the-record-quick-news-on-ashanti-avril-lavigne-nelly-jc-chasez-white-stripes-biohazard-more |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423161919/https://www.mtv.com/news/cer0k0/for-the-record-quick-news-on-ashanti-avril-lavigne-nelly-jc-chasez-white-stripes-biohazard-more |archive-date=April 23, 2024 |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=MTV News |language=en}}

The members of Kittie felt that Oracle had not been properly promoted and advertised by Artemis Records.{{Cite web |date=2003 |title=Kittie |url=http://disposableunderground.com:80/pdfs/Disposable_Underground_28.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060627145253/http://disposableunderground.com:80/pdfs/Disposable_Underground_28.pdf |archive-date=2006-06-27 |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=Disposable Underground |type=Issue 28}} In an interview with Uranium, Morgan said that she felt Oracle had not been heard by enough people due to "due to promotional reasons and record company-related reasons"; Arroyo and Mercedes also claimed that some of Kittie's fans were unaware the band had released another album outside of Spit. In light of this, Kittie committed to extended touring in order to "spread the word" about it.{{Sfn|Nall|2002}} In an November 2002 interview with Prick, Morgan said that Kittie were looking to leave their label as the band didn't "want to put out another album that's going to fall on deaf ears".

Critical reception

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/oracle-mw0000591503|website=AllMusic|title=Oracle|last=Torreano|first=Bradley|access-date=July 31, 2017|archive-date=December 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213011535/https://www.allmusic.com/album/oracle-mw0000591503|url-status=live}}

| rev2 = Alternative Press

| rev2score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{sfn|Alternative Press|2002}}

| rev3 = Blender

| rev3score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Ben |date= |title=Review: Kittie: Oracle |url=http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=1044 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041103211147/http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=1044 |archive-date=2004-11-03 |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=Blender}}

| rev4 = Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal

| rev4score = 7/10{{sfn|Popoff|Perri|2011}}

| rev5 = Drowned in Sound

| rev5score = 9/10{{Cite web |last=Appleby |first=Ollie |date=November 25, 2001 |title=Album Review: Kittie - Oracle / Releases / Releases // |url=https://drownedinsound.com/releases/2791/reviews/2631- |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210121332/https://drownedinsound.com/releases/2791/reviews/2631- |archive-date=December 10, 2013 |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=Drowned in Sound}}

| rev6 = Kerrang!

| rev6score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{sfn|Yates|2001}}

| rev7 = NME

| rev7score = 5/10{{Cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Imran |date= |title=Kittie : Oracle |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-nme-5890-335593 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011205194851/http://nme.com/reviews/story.htm?ID=9046 |archive-date=December 5, 2001 |access-date=2023-03-16 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}

| rev8 = Q

| rev8score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{sfn|Q|2001}}

| rev9 = Rolling Stone

| rev9score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Moon |first=Tom |author-link=Tom Moon |date=November 22, 2001 |title=Rolling Stone : Kittie: Oracle : Music Reviews |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/kittie/albums/album/253935/review/5943425/oracle |url-status=dead |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211120714/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/kittie/albums/album/253935/review/5943425/oracle |archive-date=February 11, 2007 |access-date=2011-04-30}}

| rev10 = Spin

| rev10score = 7/10{{sfn|Catucci|2001}}

| MC = 56/100{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/oracle/kittie/critic-reviews |title=Critic reviews at Metacritic |website=Metacritic |access-date=April 21, 2020 |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407111018/https://www.metacritic.com/music/oracle/kittie/critic-reviews |url-status=live }}

}}On review aggregator website Metacritic, Oracle holds a score of 56 out of 100, based on reviews from eight critics, which indicates "mixed or average reviews". Bradley Torreano of AllMusic called it "an average album by a promising band who needs to find a distinct identity". Eden Miller of PopMatters praised the album's musicianship and Morgan Lander's vocals, but felt that "its music relies too much on metal formula".{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Eden |date=2001-10-29 |title=Kittie: Oracle |url=https://www.popmatters.com/kittie-oracle-2495961911.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020118035114/http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/k/kittie-oracle.html |archive-date=January 18, 2002 |access-date=2023-04-12 |website=PopMatters |language=en-US}} Catherine Yates of Kerrang! said the album was "simply not bad" and described much of it as "a seamless, streamlined execution of pretty unoriginal material" lacking in creative moments.{{Sfn|Yates|2001}} Rolling Stone critic Tom Moon felt Kittie were divided between "[playing] doomsayer or dominatrix" and were unable to mix "melodic hooks" with "ordinary, one-dimensional power-chord catharsis". Ambika Thompson of Now highlighted Kittie's ability to "[mix] the growly with the melodic, vocally and musically" compared to other bands, but ultimately felt the album "sound[s] like one long rant".{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Ambika |date=2001-11-15 |title=Kittie - Oracle |url=https://nowtoronto.com/music/kittie/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Now |language=en-CA}} NME{{'s}} Imran Ahmed similarly commented that, with the exception of "Safe", the album's "violent marriage of melody and brutality [...] makes for a highly uneasy listen". Robert Christgau of The Village Voice gave the album a one-star "honorable mention" ({{Rating-Christgau|hm1}}), commenting: "when they are good they are horrid".Robert Christgau

Review: {{Cite web |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |date=2002-04-16 |title=Consumer Guide: Protopunks and Reggae |url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv402-02.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241221153804/http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv402-02.php |archive-date=December 21, 2024 |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=The Village Voice |via=robertchristgau.com}}
Grade: {{Cite web |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |date=n.d. |title=CG: Kittie |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=kittie |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709155256/http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=kittie |archive-date=July 9, 2018 |access-date=April 20, 2012 |website=robertchristgau.com}}

Ollie Appleby of Drowned in Sound felt that Oracle{{'s}} instrumentation and vocals allowed it to transcend into "something far more than the sum of it's parts". Alternative Press saw Kittie as having "[moved] from novelty status to bone-crushing legitimacy".{{sfn|Alternative Press|2002}} Tommy Udo of Metal Hammer believed the album would silence Kittie's doubters and detractors and said the band displayed greater confidence in their songwriting through their avoidance of Spit{{'s}} "brat shock tactics".{{Sfn|Udo|2001}} Though considering it to be "sloppy" when compared with Pantera and Slayer, Paul Rogers of the Las Vegas Weekly said that Oracle "shows a marked improvement over Kittie's previous output" and praised the band for their "authentic malice" and rejection of "commercial pressures".{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Paul |date=2002-08-08 |title=Here Kittie, Kittie: They’re not as young and sweet as you think |url=http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/2002/08_08/music_noise3.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021225201811/http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/2002/08_08/music_noise3.html |archive-date=2002-12-25 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Las Vegas Weekly}} Hit Parader was less enthusiastic, finding it to be less "satisfying" than Spit despite Kittie's "technical and song-structure" improvements.{{Sfn|Hit Parader|2002}} Whilst acknowledging the band had broken away from clichéd and stereotypical writing of Spit, Elmar Salmutter of Ox-Fanzine felt that Kittie's songs had not improved and found their attempts "to sound as evil and nasty as possible" unintentionally humorous.{{Cite web |last=Salmutter |first=Elmar |date=January–February 2002 |title=Review |url=https://www.ox-fanzine.de/review/oracle-cd-28285 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Ox-Fanzine |language=de}} Similarly, Chart Attack{{'s}} Golding remarked: "you wonder if Kittie are just trying harder to be hard just because they're girls". Ben Mitchell of Blender believed Kittie did not warrant the attention they had gotten from the press and dismissed the album as "entirely dispensible". Referencing the "love/hate relationship" between the band, fans and the press, Graham Finney concluded his review of Oracle for Rock Sound: "The best thing you can say about [it] is that it's a good, 'current' album—[Kittie's] fans will love it and the rest of you will hate it".{{Sfn|Finney|2001}}

Retrospectively, Jon Hadusek of Consequence and Denize Falzon of Exclaim! described Oracle as representing Kittie's "heyday" alongside Spit, with the latter considering it to be their best "in terms of sound and songwriting".{{Cite web |last=Hadusek |first=Jon |date=2024-02-14 |title=Kittie unleash "Eyes Wide Open," first new song in 13 years: Stream |url=https://consequence.net/2024/02/kittie-eyes-wide-open-stream/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312071235/https://consequence.net/2024/02/kittie-eyes-wide-open-stream/ |archive-date=March 12, 2025 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Consequence |language=en |quote=Following their heyday in the 2000s, which saw the release of [...] Spit (2000) and Oracle (2001),}}{{Cite web |last=Falzon |first=Denise |date=December 21, 2009 |title=Kittie: In the Black |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/kittie-in_black |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327092655/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/kittie-in_black |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |access-date=March 27, 2023 |website=Exclaim!}} In 2007, Mark Fisher of the Times West Virginian called it "one of the heaviest albums of the last decade" and credited it with establishing the band "as a legitimate force in heavy music".{{Cite web |last=Fisher |first=Mark |date=February 14, 2007 |title='Funeral For Yesterday' new chapter for Kittie |url=https://www.timeswv.com/news/lifestyles/funeral-for-yesterday-new-chapter-for-kittie/article_c60702e4-2d9c-50e2-bd41-60f31a27bdcc.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413151806/https://www.timeswv.com/news/lifestyles/funeral-for-yesterday-new-chapter-for-kittie/article_c60702e4-2d9c-50e2-bd41-60f31a27bdcc.html |archive-date=April 13, 2023 |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=Times West Virginian |language=en}} In 2008, Hit Parader placed Oracle at number 82 on their list of "The Top 100 CDs of the 21st Century".{{Sfn|Sciarretto|2008}} Attributing contemporary criticism of the band to "male chauvinism", Canadian journalist Martin Popoff remarked in The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 4: The '00s (2011) that Kittie were both "heavy as hell" and "advanced" for their era, praising the band's "adventurous" and "proggy" song structures and Atfield and Mercedes' ability to "pound out a bottom end that keeps one interested".{{Sfn|Popoff|Perri|2011}} In 2024, Paul Travers of Metal Hammer ranked it as Kittie's best album, viewing its pivot to extreme metal as "not only a bold move" for the band, but one that "resulted in a stormer of an album that would stand the test of time".{{Cite web |last=Travers |first=Paul |date=2024-07-21 |title="A highly consistent and often underrated catalogue": Every Kittie album ranked from worst to best |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/kittie-albums-ranked-worst-to-best |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722122508/https://www.loudersound.com/features/kittie-albums-ranked-worst-to-best |archive-date=2024-07-22 |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=Metal Hammer |language=en |via=loudersound}}

Track listing

All tracks are written by Kittie, except "Run Like Hell", written by David Gilmour and Roger Waters.{{Cite AV media notes |title=Oracle |author=Kittie |year=2001 |type=booklet |publisher=Artemis Records |id=751088-2}}

{{track listing

| headline = Standard release

| title1 = Oracle

| length1 = 2:02

| title2 = Mouthful of Poison

| length2 = 4:38

| title3 = In Winter

| length3 = 5:32

| title4 = Severed

| length4 = 3:20

| title5 = Run Like Hell

| length5 = 4:09

| note5 = Pink Floyd cover

| title6 = Pain

| length6 = 3:49

| title7 = Wolves

| length7 = 3:25

| title8 = What I Always Wanted

| length8 = 3:43

| title9 = Safe

| length9 = 4:12

| title10 = No Name

| length10 = 2:14

| title11 = Pink Lemonade

| length11 = 10:37

| total_length = 47:41

}}

{{track listing

| headline = European limited edition CD {{nobold|(recorded live in Hultsfred, Sweden on June 15, 2000){{Cite AV media notes |title=Oracle (Special Limited Edition) |author=Kittie |year=2001 |type=booklet |publisher=Artemis/Epic Records |id=504810 9}}}}

| title12 = Spit

| length12 = 2:44

| title13 = Brackish

| length13 = 2:54

| title14 = Suck

| length14 = 3:19

| title15 = Do You Think I'm a Whore?

| length15 = 2:21

| title16 = Raven

| length16 = 4:00

| total_length = 63:07

}}

Personnel

Personnel per liner notes.{{col-begin}}{{col-2}}Kittie

Morgan Lander – vocals, guitar, piano
Mercedes Lander – drums
Talena Atfield – bass

Artwork

Morgan Lander – artwork concept
Brett Weiss – album artwork and layout (for JSR Merchandising)
Yvette Conley – photography
Dr. Matthew Somers – x ray consultant
Dr. Michael Richardson – x-rays{{col-2}}Production
Garth Richardson – producer, engineering
Chris Vaugh-Jones – production co-ordinator
Randy Staub – mixing
Robert Nation – engineering
Siegfried Meier – second engineer
Howie Weinberg – mastering (at Masterdisk)
Ben Kaplan – digital editing
Richard Leighton – guitar tech

Charts

= Weekly charts =

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" ! scope="col"\| Chart (2001–02) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
scope="row" \|German Albums (Offizielle Top 100){{Cite web \|title=Kittie - Oracle \|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-details-26419 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250331121622/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-details-26419 \|archive-date=2025-03-31 \|access-date=2025-03-31 \|website=offiziellecharts.de}} \| align="center" \|91
{{album chart\|UKRock\|12\|date=20011124\|rowheader=true\|access-date=March 31, 2025}}
scope="row" \|UK Albums (OCC){{cite web \|author=Zywietz, Tobias \|title=Chart Log UK: Alex K – Kyuss \|url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_K.HTM \|access-date=February 8, 2013 \|work=zobbel.de \|publisher=Tobias Zywietz \|archive-date=October 17, 2015 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017040013/http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_K.HTM \|url-status=live }} \| align="center" \|121
scope="row" \|US Top Independent Albums (Billboard){{Cite magazine \|title=Kittie \|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/kittie/ \|url-status=live \|magazine=Billboard \|language=en-US \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315160252/https://www.billboard.com/artist/kittie/ \|archive-date=2023-03-15 \|access-date=2023-03-15}} \| align="center" \|3
scope="row" \|US Billboard 200 \| align="center" \|57

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

! scope="col"| Chart (2001–02)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

scope="row" |German Albums (Offizielle Top 100){{Cite web |title=Kittie - Oracle |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-details-26419 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250331121622/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-details-26419 |archive-date=2025-03-31 |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=offiziellecharts.de}}

| align="center" |91

{{album chart|UKRock|12|date=20011124|rowheader=true|access-date=March 31, 2025}}

scope="row" |UK Albums (OCC){{cite web |author=Zywietz, Tobias |title=Chart Log UK: Alex K – Kyuss |url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_K.HTM |access-date=February 8, 2013 |work=zobbel.de |publisher=Tobias Zywietz |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017040013/http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_K.HTM |url-status=live }}

| align="center" |121

scope="row" |US Top Independent Albums (Billboard){{Cite magazine |title=Kittie |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/kittie/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315160252/https://www.billboard.com/artist/kittie/ |archive-date=2023-03-15 |access-date=2023-03-15}}

| align="center" |3

scope="row" |US Billboard 200

| align="center" |57

= Year-end charts =

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" ! scope="col"\| Chart (2002) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
scope=row\|US Top Independent Albums (Billboard){{sfn\|Billboard Year in Music\|2002}} \|align="center"\|13

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

! scope="col"| Chart (2002)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

scope=row|US Top Independent Albums (Billboard){{sfn|Billboard Year in Music|2002}}

|align="center"|13

References

Bibliography

{{cite magazine |title=Kittie: Oracle |magazine=Alternative Press |issue=162 |issn=1065-1667 |date=January 2002 |page=86 |ref={{harvid|Alternative Press|2002}}}}
{{cite magazine |date=December 2001 |title=Kittie: Oracle |magazine=Q |publisher=EMAP |page=139 |issue=184 |issn=0955-4955 |ref={{harvid|Q|2001}}}}
{{Cite magazine |date=May 2002 |title=Kittie, Oracle {{!}} Hit or Miss |url=https://archive.org/details/hitparadermagazi51unse_4/page/74/mode/2up?q=Kittie+Oracle |magazine=Hit Parader |publisher=Magma Publishing Group |page=74 |via=Internet Archive |issue=452 |issn=0162-0266 |ref={{harvid|Hit Parader|2002}}}}
{{Cite magazine |date=October 5, 2001 |title=Active Rock: Going for Adds |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2001/RR-2001-10-05.pdf |magazine=R&R |issue=1422 |page=97 |issn=0277-4860 |via=worldradiohistory.com |ref={{harvid|R&R|2001}}}}
{{Cite magazine |date=May 10, 2002 |title=Upcoming New Releases: Rock |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Hits/00s/2002/Hits-2002-05-10.pdf |magazine=HITS |oclc=15994494 |volume=16 |issue=793 |page=44 |via=worldradiohistory.com |ref={{harvid|HITS|2002}}}}
{{cite magazine |title=The Year in Music 2002 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RA0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA13 |magazine=Billboard |date=December 28, 2002 |page=YE-36 |volume=114 |number=52 |issn=0006-2510 |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |ref={{harvid|Billboard Year in Music|2002}}}}
{{cite magazine |last=Arnopp |first=Jason |author-link=Jason Arnopp |date=January 6, 2001 |title=50 LPs for 2001: Kittie |magazine=Kerrang! |publisher=EMAP |page=41 |issue=834 |issn=0262-6624}}
{{cite magazine |last=Catucci |first=Nick |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9vc4aG2dVBIC&q=spin+kittie+oracle |title=Kittie: Oracle |magazine=Spin |date=December 2001 |volume=17 |issue=12 |page=154 |issn=0886-3032}}
{{Cite magazine |last=Correia |first=Frank |date=December 21, 2001 |title=Heavy for the Holidays |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2001/RR-2001-12-21.pdf |magazine=R&R |page=28 |via=worldradiohistory.com |issue=1433 |issn=0277-4860}}
{{Cite magazine |last=Durham |first=Victoria |date=November 2001 |title=Kittie: Claws for Thought |magazine=Rock Sound |publisher=IXO Publishing Ltd |location=UK |pages=36–38 |issue=30 |issn=1465-0185}}
{{Cite news |last=Ebner |first=Dave |date=November 10, 2001 |title=The sound and the fury |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |page=R5 |id={{ProQuest|384283163}}}}
{{Cite magazine |last=Finney |first=Graham |date=November 2001 |title=Reviews: Rock |magazine=Rock Sound |publisher=IXO Publishing Ltd |location=UK |page=86 |issue=30 |issn=1465-0185}}
{{Cite news |last=Fissure |first=Lalena |date=January 15, 2003 |title=Whiskers in the Dark: Kittie Safe Artemis |work=The Village Voice |page=127 |id={{Proquest|232293759}}}}
{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wXGw14ml_M4C&q=talena+atfield+financial&pg=PA26 |title=Underage Against the Machine |magazine=Spin |pages=25–26 |first=James |last=Hannaham |volume=18 |number=1 |issn=0886-3032 |date=January 2002}}
{{Cite magazine |last=Hart |first=Gerry |date=2001-12-10 |title=Points of Impact |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VrjHpMSXP44C&dq=Kittie+Oracle&pg=PA35 |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date= |magazine=CMJ New Music Report |publisher=CMJ Network, Inc. |page=35 |language=en |volume=69 |issue=742 |issn=0890-0795}}
{{Cite magazine |last=Jennings |first=Nicholas |date=Winter 2001 |title=What's new, Kittie? The all-girl heavy-metal band is moving from hate to hope |magazine=Words & Music |publisher=SOCAN |page=6 |volume=8 |issue=4 |id={{ProQuest|218674309}}}}
{{Cite magazine |last=Lane |first=Daniel |date=February 2001 |title=The Year 2K: Kittie |magazine=Metal Hammer |publisher=Future plc |location=UK |pages=40-41 |issue=83 |issn=0955-1190 |ref={{harvid|Lane|2001a}}}}
{{Cite magazine |last=Lane |first=Daniel |date=September 15, 2001 |title=New Kids on the Rock: 10 Metallic Autumn Releases |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2001/Music-Week-2001-09-15.pdf |magazine=Music Week |publisher=UBM plc |issn=0265-1548 |issue=83 |ref={{harvid|Lane|2001b}}|page=15 |via=worldradiohistory.com}}
{{cite AV media |title=Kittie: Origins/Evolutions |date=2017 |type=Motion picture |publisher=Lightyear Entertainment |location=Canada |ref={{harvid|McCallum|2017}} |people=McCallum, Rob (director)}}
{{Cite magazine |last=Miller |first=Gerri |date=December 1, 2001 |title=Ready to Rock |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JRIEAAAAMBAJ&dq=kittie+spit+top+nu+metal&pg=PA26 |magazine=Billboard |page=26 |volume=113 |issue=48 |issn=0006-2510 |ref={{harvid|Miller, Gerri|2001}}}}
{{Cite news |last=Nall |first=Jeff |date=October 11, 2002 |title=Kittie more than just girls with guitars |work=Florida Today |page=26 |id={{Proquest|890353712}}}}
{{cite book |last1=Popoff |first1=Martin |author-link1=Martin Popoff |title=The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 4: The '00s |last2=Perri |first2=David |publisher=Collector's Guide Publishing |year=2011 |isbn=9781-926592-20-6 |location=Burlington, Ontario, Canada |pages=268}}
{{Cite news |last=Richardson |first=Sean |date=November 16, 2001 |title=Off the Record |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_boston-phoenix_november-16-22-2001_30_46/page/23/mode/2up?q=kittie+oracle |work=The Boston Phoenix |page=24 |type=Arts |via=Internet Archive |volume=30 |issue=46}}
{{Cite news |last=Saidman |first=Sorelle |date=August 14, 2001 |title=Kittie guitarist definitely gone |newspaper=The Province |page=B13 |id={{ProQuest|269289810}} |ref={{harvid|Saidman|2001b}}}}
{{Cite magazine |last=Sciarretto |first=Amy |date=January 28, 2002 |title=Loud Rock |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7kIclasPNB4C&pg=PA10-IA4 |magazine=CMJ New Music Report |publisher=CMJ Network, Inc.|page=14 |volume=70 |issue=4 |issn=0890-0795}}
{{Cite magazine |date=September 2008 |editor-last=Sciarretto |editor-first=Amy |title=The Top 100 CDs of the 21st Century |url=https://archive.org/details/hitparadermagazi51unse_35/page/88/ |magazine=Hit Parader |publisher=Magma Publishing Group |page=89 |via=Internet Archive |issue=518 |issn=0162-0266}}
{{Cite news |last=Sperounes |first=Sandra |date=November 17, 2001 |title=New releases |work=Edmonton Journal |page=C3 |id={{Proquest|252944919}}}}
{{Cite magazine |last=Stillman |first=Brian |date=December 2001 |title=Meow Mix |magazine=Guitar World |publisher=Harris Publications |pages=62-64, 66, 102, 104 |volume=21 |issue=12 |issn=1045-6295}}
{{Cite magazine |last=Udo |first=Tommy |date=December 2001 |title=Feline Sick: Album Reviews |magazine=Metal Hammer |publisher=Future plc |page=74 |publication-place=UK |issue=94 |issn=0955-1190}}
{{Cite magazine |last=Yates |first=Catherine |date=November 10, 2001 |title=Albums |magazine=Kerrang! |publisher=EMAP |page=46 |issue=878 |issn=0262-6624}}