Extraordinary Machine

Fiona Apple | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 4, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000B0WOEO
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (357 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,983 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #40 in Music > Alternative Rock > Singer-Songwriters

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Fiona Apple, brooding, brainy belter and capital-A artist of near forbidding depth, begins her much gossiped-over third CD on a lark. The title track, one of two songs produced by Jon Brion before the label dispute that prompted hip-hop producer Mike Elizondo (50 Cent, Eminem) to step in, sounds like a Judy Garland number slathered with irony or something Rufus Wainwright might have had a hand in--strings soar, beats bump around skittishly, and notes require a ladder. But playful as it is, by the time the chorus kicks in it's clear why the world has missed Fiona Apple so much. Young female artists who have stepped into the spotlight since she fled it six years ago-- Nellie McKay and Joss Stone spring to mind for their cleverness and heat, respectively--seem slight in comparison. With every track ticked off, in fact, Extraordinary Machine moves listeners a little closer to what might be a correct assumption: that everything they've dipped into since 1999's When the Pawn ... was filler. Fans will feel it especially on "O'Sailor," a gimlet-eyed lament, and "Tymps," a tight piano track with a tip of the hat to hip-hop. It's "Window," though, with its lyric about "a filthy pane of glass" fogging up a clear view, that sums up the experience of this CD best. "I had to break the window," Apple sings, smoky-voiced as ever. "It just had to be." With Extraordinary Machine, she shatters already sky-high expectations. -Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

Extraordinary Machine is the long-awaited third album from multi-platinum artist Fiona Apple. Extraordinary Machine contains 12 electrifying tracks, including the brand new songs 'Parting Gift' and 'O' Sailor', all of which feature the brilliant music and poignant, passionate lyrics that have inspired legions of intensely loyal fans all over the world. Epic. 2005.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Extraordinary' Is the Word November 3, 2005

By Rudy Palma

Format:Audio CD

With all the hubbub surrounding the release of her third album, "Extraordinary Machine," singer/songwriter Fiona Apple had a lot riding on her shoulders upon its release. Doubtless, when the Jon Brion-produced original version of the disc was left to gather dust on the recording studio floor in 2002, she could not have known that it would eventually end up the most notoriously circulated music the internet had seen. She also could not have imagined that her fans would found an official website, [...] and protest Sony in the hopes that it would at last be released. Following those events, she returned to the recording studio with producer Mike Elizondo, re-recorded nine of the eleven tracks, and added the stunning "Parting Gift," a poignant tribute to an ended relationship. The result is a far less kitchy version of the disc that satisfied both herself and Sony and became her first Top 10 album when it debuted at #7 on the Billboard charts.

The album kicks off with the endearing cabaret-style title track, one of the two Brion productions salvaged from the original, along with the joyful "Waltz (Better Than Fine)." Amidst its oddball lyrics Apple confronts adversarial forces with a toothy grin, proclaiming that she is an "extraordinary machine" and will thus prevail. She then moves on to "Get Him Back," the ultimate revenge fantasy.

"Next one up, a contemptible snob/He lived to put things in their place/He did a commendable job/He put himself so low he can hardly even look me in the face/So wait `till I get him back/He won't have a back to scratch."

As soon as the record begins it is apparent that Apple has matured, leaving the bulk of her once understood angst behind.... Still, that does not stop her from being extremely ticked off at her would-be flame in "Not About Love," where "last night's phrases, sick with lack of basis" are writhing on her floor. "Tymps (The Sick In the Head Song)," with contains a slight hip-hop veneer, follows the same theme.

Elsewhere, she makes extremely astute commentary on the mass-consumerism and superficiality that marks American pop culture with "Please, Please, Please."

"You can hear our sad brains screaming/Give us something familiar/Something similar/To what we know already/That will keep us steady/Steady going nowhere."

The apex of the album, however, comes with "Window" and "Oh Well." The former, an outstanding ode to escaping physical abuse, finds Apple breaking the window to her freedom, stating "better that I break the window than him hurt me." She then comes to her senses after initially blaming herself in the latter track, realizing you cannot make someone accept unconditional love if he "doesn't believe in the stuff."

All things considered, "Extraordinary Machine" is an excellent art pop album from every angle. Only one track, the frothy "Better Version of Me," suffers in its new incarnation, proving the resurrection of the project both worthy and successful.

The DualDisc of the album features all the tracks in enhanced stereo, live performances, behind-the-scenes footage and a hilarious video for "Not About Love." Read more ›

112 of 128 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary Effort October 5, 2005

By Thomas Magnum HALL OF FAMETOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

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.

108 of 126 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY! October 4, 2005

By Benjamin Norman

Format:Audio CD

After two years of waiting, grumbling, downloading, and sighing for lack of, we finally have Fiona Apples amazing third album, Extraordinary Machine.

You can definitely tell that she has matured a great deal since "When the Pawn...". She made a lot of changes from "Tidal" to "When the Pawn..." and made a lot of changes from then until now. She seems to have fused the sounds from both albums together, making a musically biting, yet soft album that incorporates a few new sounds as well. For instance, "Tymps" has a very...hip hop feel to it. It's the danciest track she's EVER done, and I think it's absolutely amazing.

She embraces her soft side from the getgo, letting EVERYONE know that this is still very much her, regardless what "Fast As You Can" and "Limp" had to say about it. Her lyrics are great, and I think the ode to her own amazing abilities is extremely well-done. I find this song very fun to listen to, and relaxing at the same time.

The next track, Get Him Back, is a rompin' tavern song (at least I can imagine it being one, with that piano!). Her voice sounds great on this song, and the lyrics are clever and interesting. One of my favorites!

O'Sailor was one of the songs released on Itunes before the CD was released. It's got a very bluesy, merry-go-round sound to it that compliments her smoky voice perfectly. This is one of those "Tidal" fused with "When the Pawn..." songs I told you about. I really enjoy this.

Better Than Me is another fun, bouncy song. I tell you, I love the piano! I just love it! You'll like this one. The chorus is fantastic. This song also utilizes some interesting synth work we haven't heard from her before....

Tymps (The Sick In The Head Song) is the most fun you can have on this CD while still remembering that it's heartfelt, soulful Fiona that's singing. Add the beat and you've got yourself a DEFINITE radio track. Take THAT stupid record labels!

The album continues in this general trend, vascillating from slow to warm and fast, till it concludes with the truly clever, interesting, and downright wonderful track, "Waltz (Better Than Fine", which utilizes, as the title suggest, a waltz as background music. It's pretty soft, at the beginning, but as it progresses it gains edge and volume. You gotta hear this to understand just why I love it so much.

Oh, and some background on this album incase you aren't aware.... In 2003, this album was up and ready to go, but her label "shelved" it because they didn't feel it had a leading radio single to push sales of it. Then, an internet DJ apparently leaked the tracks all over the internet, and when mad Fiona fans heard it, they only got madder. Why keep this brilliance "shelved"? What the hell? "Free Fiona", a website dedicated to getting this album released was then erected (which she thanks in her liner notes) and I wholly attribute this release to their efforts. Fiona, you ROCK, and your fans ROCK HARDER! I love you all!

Pick this up, if not for Fiona, then for the love of music. Do it. Now. Stop reading this, and press "buy". Read more ›

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary...but... October 6, 2005

By David Johnson

Format:Audio CD

I must say, I am so happy and yet so cursed by having heard the early version of the album. For those of you who don't know, somehow a complete version of the album was leaked onto the internet before all of the drama happened with its release (Fiona initiated it, not the label!) and I happened to come across a copy of the first version of the album back when everyone thought it wouldn't be released. I absolutely adored it! It is full of strings and whitty instrumentation, that almost reminds me of a musical or broadway type stuff! It was so lush and cute! I'm not saying cute in a belittling way, it was just so dainty and refined yet the same things that make Fiona Fiona.

So anyways, there's my little whining session. I know, I brought it on myself. If I hadn't accepted an illegal copy, then I wouldn't have to gripe about it! : ) Hehe. Anwyays, I will say that despite my disappointment in the differences between the first version and this one, it still is a good album. It is finally the way that Fiona really wants it, supposedly. And I would definitely not hesitate to tell you to get the Dual Disc, it's got the music video for my favorite song ("Not About Love") it's really cute! This comedian guy she heard about lipsyncs the whole thing...it's funny. And there's great live performences of new and old songs! Go for it!

For those of you who have heard the first version, you know what I'm talking about (and either agree that you like it or don't), for those of you who haven't, just enjoy this album! It's great even tho it's different than it might have been! Great songs can't be ruined by simple changes, I think...