#40 - Phil

Fiona Apple

Extraordinary Machine

2005

It’s fitting that Fiona Apple’s magnificent third album Extraordinary Machine was released by Epic Records because the process of bringing it all together was truly an epic milestone. Her producer Jon Brion and she began working on the record in 2002, and the album was set to be released in 2003 before the label chose to delay it without explanation. Rumors surrounding the album gained steam, as there was speculation that perhaps Brion’s work with Apple lacked the “commercial appeal” Epic Records wanted. Whatever the case, Apple eventually re-recorded many of the tracks on the album with other producers before Extraordinary Machine was finally released to the public in fall of 2005.

All I can say is whatever Epic told Apple to do… it worked! These 12 songs are effectively arranged in a way that invites listeners into Apple’s bare emotional state. One of the only Brion-produced songs that remains is the album’s opening title track, which contains perhaps the perfect line to sum up what Apple’s all about: “I still only travel by foot, and by foot it’s a slow climb / But I’m good at being uncomfortable so I can’t stop changing all the time.” From here the album takes some dark turns, as if Apple’s a character in some trippy Spike Jonze flick. “Get Him Back” shows Apple releasing his inner-bitchiness with gangsta-rap-like ferocity. “Tymps (The Sick in the Head Song),” will greatly appeal to fans of Apple’s earlier work for its mix of foreign instrumentation. And “Oh Well,” is a heartbreaking ballad about being emotionally torn down by a loved one: “When I was looking with calm affection / You were searching out my imperfections.” It’s the track that makes me realize this album really is something extraordinary. -P.W.

Gotta love Fiona Apple’s voice. While I never listened to her much, I’m not completely sure why because every time do listen, I really enjoy myself. Before listening to Extraordinary Machine I heard about her record label, Epic, withholding it because they didn’t think it would sell because it was so “weird.” I was fascinated that a pop-rock artist from the 90s with a single like “Criminal” would take a risk in the 00’s. When I hear Extraordinary Machine, I was underwhelmed by its “weirdness” but it was nonetheless surprisingly different for Fiona Apple. Thumbs up from me. - Ryan

This album reminds me of Sunshine Anderson’s song “Heard It All Before” – although it’s nice-sounding and accessible, there’s nothing here I haven’t heard before from about 20 other singer-songwriters. I can tolerate familiar sounds if the lyrics are particularly interesting, but this record's lyrics are as bland as flavorless oatmeal: “As he went on and on / It wasn't the outside world I could see / Just the filthy pane / That I was lookin' through” – this is about the extent of what Fiona poetically offers. A major disappointment. - Steve