Extraordinary Machine

by

Fiona Apple

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Fiona Apple's first new album in six years, Extraordinary Machine, faced a Wilco Yankee Foxtrot Hotel dilemma when her label, Epic, held off releasing it because they thought it was too uncommercial. Due to an aggressive internet campaign and the leaking of the songs, Epic changed their mind and gave Ms. Apple the green light. The album is a stunning collection of songs, many of which were written in the aftermath of Ms. Apple's break up with director Paul Thomas Anderson. Due to this circumstance and the fact that she is no longer a teenager as she was on her first release, the songs have an air of maturity that her previous efforts lacked. The album features producers Jon Brion (who worked the original sessions, but only ends up as a producer on two tracks, Brian Kehew and Mike Elizondo who work with hip-hop artists shows up on the album. Mr. Kehew & Mr. Elizondo don't turn the album into a hip-hop affair, they beautiful match Ms. Apple's smoky voice and soft piano with simple loops that accentuate not dominate the sound. "Tymps (The Sick in the Head Song)" is a perfect example of their work. They also move away from the baroque sounds of the internet album by adding guitars, horns and slamming drums to the mix. Ms. Apple is the real star though and her work on the piano driven "Get Him Back", the wicked "Red Red Red", the intense "Window" and the great "Better Version Of Me" show that she is ready to take the leap into superior singer-songwriter territory.

This album was a disappointment for me...and I say that as a fervent Fiona Apple fan. I truly think that she is fantastic.

Nevertheless, I found that the produced album version lacks the power of the "leaked version". That's unfair, I know, but it's true.

What's the difference between the versions? Passion.

Fiona is best when she's railing agiainst the BS of life and love. She expresses pain and frustration so inspiringly (a seeming oxymoron).

In the "leaked version" of Extraordinary Machine, that fabulous passion and fury are there - blasting through with truthful, honest hurt. In the final Sony version, though, that potency has been diluted with over-production and reeled-in vocals. They took the teeth out of the songs.

I'm not imagining this. Compare the versions. It will clearly demonstrate why businessmen should keep their sticky little fingers out of art.

Despite all that I just said, buy this album. It's still very, very good and Fiona deserves to be rewarded for her phenomenal talent and resilience.