Customer Reviews

Fiona Apple: Extraordinary Machine

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4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

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, www.freefiona.com, 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."

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...

Just a head's up, the album itself is great but the CD audio side of the dual disc will not work with many (if not most) computer CD players. As a result, depending on your specific computer (I personally have an Apple G4 powerbook) you might not be able to burn the tracks and transfer them to an ipod or other portable mp3 players. I've written DualDisc about this and they replied back with a form letter acknowledgine the issue and claiming that they're "actively developing technologies" to improve playability on CD/DVD-ROM drives, but for now their best advice was for me to try to return the dualdisc and exchange it for the regular CD version (most stores do not allow exchanges of opened CDs/DVDs for different items). I would advise anyone who wants to listen to the album on their mp3 player to play it safe and just stick with the regular CD version.

First let me say this is not a review of "Extraordinary Machine," which is a fine an album as any Ms Apple has recorded, but of the DualDisc packaging of the album.
The popularity of DVDs brought surround sound into the home. From this, came DVD-Audio - music released in 5.1 surround mixes. But they never really caught on as they were even more over-priced than CDs and they only played in DVD players. The discs wouldn't play in cars, alarm clocks, all the places that CD players have proliferated over the past 15-20 years. Essentially, you got to pay more for a disc with less usability. Along came DualDisc. They packaged discs with a CD side and a DVD side and sold them at prices more in-line with CD prices. One side offered the CD usability while the other offered a 5.1 surround mix. I personally enjoyed their releases of Nine Inch Nails' The Downward Spiral and With Teeth which both offered exciting and dynamic mixes. But with Extraordinary Machine, DualDisc pull a bit of a bait-and-switch. Instead of a 5.1 on par with their previous releases, they offer this "enhanced stereo" 2-channel mix with no discernable difference from the CD side. If you listen closely, you may hear Nelson Muntz's "Ha-Ha" faintly in the background as this non-surround DVD side is a total con. If you're looking for a surround mix of Extraordinary Machine, sorry this isn't it.

After a troublesome 6 year hiatus, Fiona returns more potent than ever on the fierce "Extraordinary Machine"
On "Not About Love" she brilliantly says..."Took a vacation/ My palett got clean/ Now I can taste your agenda/ While your spitting your cud."
& she certainly backs that statement up with more experimentation than ever. She rips & shimmers with ease, style, & class through these 12 amazing songs. Each song, even the ballads, packs a refreshing & ambitious punch. The instrumentation, eclectic & innovative, blends with each whisper & roar that changes with each song & melody.
The thing that this album has that most albums out today don't have, is creativity & muse. Fiona is a genuine artist who never ceases to fulfull her potential. "Extraordinary Machine" is a wonderful & intricate journey worth taking.

Note: Some of the review written below is my original review for the standard version of this album.

Fiona Apple's third album "Extraordinary Machine" has been a 6 year wait for eager fans, Apple's fans are among the most dedicated I have heard about, during that 6 year hiatus/wait many of them campaigned for an album to be released, they were called 'Free Fiona'. She faced a similar situation to what Wilco faced with their album "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" and finally her album has been released.

I had never really heard about Fiona Apple until recently so I went out and bought this album, I was immediately connected to her honest lyrics, smoky voice and perfect piano-playing. After listening to this album the first time I was scratching my head as to what style/genre her music is. To me, (and your opinion may differ!!) this music is a mix of jazz/rock/alternative and a tiny dash of pop. However you could be forgiven to think that this album would be a complete infatuation with jazz and an affair with strings after listening to the opening track.

"Extraordinary Machine", the title track is a lovely jazz-esque track with some superb production and arrangement care of Jon Brion. The orchestra really complements Fiona's lovely voice.
Pianos to many people are just instruments for beautiful melody lines and some syncopated chords to make it homophonic. Who knew the modest old piano could be used as a base for rock riffs? This element of surprise is shown perhaps best on "Get Him Back", again another really lovely song. "O'Sailor" is a great song that I can really see becoming a modest hit. It combines some nice vocal harmonies with a great synth-like feel to it.

"Better Version Of Me" is another riff-driven track, I personally love the lyrics and her voice, there is something so mesmirising about it!! "Tymps (The Sick In The Head Song)" is probably the closest thing to hip-hop on the whole album!! The beats give the impression of commerciality but Fiona makes it real and not money-hungry. "Parting Gift" shows us the power of just Fiona and the piano. It's a superb song which has some great highlights, most notably the bit where she sings "Oh, you silly pastime of mine...".

"Window" is another highlight of the album, the symbolism surrounding the 'window-theme' is just pure genius. "Oh Well" is a moving track, the lyrics are full of emotion and I love the selection of instruments. "Please Please Please" is another funky, groovy track. I really like the hook, 'Please, please, please'. The pause at the end of it leaves you hanging, but only for a second.

"Red Red Red", again brilliant. I can't believe I say that about every song in this review basically, but it's true Fiona is that good. "Not About Love" features some great percussion from the legend Ahmir Thompson, the lyrics again show maturity and depth. "Waltz (Better Than Fine)" is the last of the Jon Brion produced tracks and the last song on the album. The orchestra is like a return from the first track. The message she puts across is conveyed with success, an excellent end to the album.

Overall, Fiona's latest effort is one of my picks of 2005, buying this album really topped off my year. I feel listening to this album is easy because it is so good. It isn't hard to realise that this may possibly be the best album you will ever listen to. I recommend listening to this album on a long car ride or alone before you go to sleep.

My Picks:
O'Sailor
Extraordinary Machine
Tymps
Parting Gift

The DVD is amazing, if you have never seen Fiona live this would probably urge you along to one of her concerts. The "Not About Love" video is hilarious, the guy lip-synching the words is just classic. This video is so well produced and directed it defies belief. The live performances at Club Largo show that Fiona's voice is amazing live, her stage presence is just phenomenal. But my pick of the whole DVD is her performance of "Parting Gift" at The Jazz Bakery, it's intimate setting is amazing. Another reason to buy the dual-disc is the fact that you can listen to all of the songs on the album in enhanced stereo mode. The DVD makes the dual-disc version a little more pricey but it's worth all your money.

I had never listened to Fiona Apple until this album. But after all of the commotion over its release and all of the critical acclaim I figured I should give it a try. I never heard the version leaked on the internet.

That was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The material on here is just brilliant. I love how Fiona's soulful voice dances on top of the plucking orchestrations on the title track. I love how she gets so deep in her lyrics in every song, especially "Window." I love the somewhat hip hop feel to "Tymps"(The Sick In The Head Song. Mike Elizando did an excellent job on producing this album, and so did Jon Brion on his 2 tracks. This album is extraordinary.

Even if you're not into this kind of music, like myself, give it a try and experience the extraordinary machine.

I wish that I could focus this review on a fine artist and the great music she's created, but just now the media of this release overshadows the art. The DVD side of the DualDisc has just ruined my DVR. After playing the DualDisc my Sony DVR will no longer play ordinary DVD's. An EPIC/Sony DualDisc and a Sony DVR. I've contacted Sony support and they refuse to address the problem. Sad.

Fiona Apple is one of the most talented musicians in history. This album does falter at all. Also, don't listen to the people who say that this album is worse than the original (production wise). They are completely different beasts. Having heard both versions of the album I can say that neither is better than the other. The JB version is more lush and orchestrated whild the ME version is tighter and more rhythmic. Either way it is great stuff and her voice is superb.

Here's yet another review that will compare the Elizondo/Brion versions for you. Sorry, but if you've heard them both it's extremely hard not to compare. I love both versions and I am extremely happy this album is finally available to everyone.

First, I must say that the songs are all excellent. Fiona has a way with lyrics that is poetic and beautiful. Fiona's melodies are perfect. Sometimes she sounds like a jazz singer other times she's pretty close to rapping. Her vocals are good on this version. They are excellent on the Brion productions.
The songs that are similiar to the original productions (Get Him Back, Better Version Of Me and Please Please Please) are good, but lack the punch and use of percussion that Jon uses. I still love these songs, they just seem to be missing something this time around.
Oh Well, while very close to the original musically, lacks the vocal performance of the Brion version. Fiona sounds like the wound is fresh on Brion's while on the new version she's just singing a beautiful song. Musically this sounds so much like Brion's version, I don't understand why this one was even re-recorded at all. This song has lost it's heart. I'll always listen to Brion's version of this song.
O' Sailor has never been one of my favorites but it's not very different from the unreleased version. There is an added background vocal at the end that I think is a slight improvement.
Tymps (the sick in the head song) and Window are just as good as the original versions but not better. Very different than the Brion versions but not improved.
Red Red Red is completely different. Elizondo took the song in a solemn direction and it's good but Brion's is more angry, emotional and musically more interesting.
Not About Love is the only track I love just as much as Brion's version. The strings in Brion's version are excellent but I like Elizondo's use of percussion and drums in this version. I love this song and listening to the released version doesn't make me want to compare as much.
Parting Gift is something new and it's beautiful. It's nice to have a piano/vocal song.

The dualdisc is always a good idea these days. Give the fans something extra. The live performances are excellent. I've never seen Fiona live but I hope to see her tour with this album.
The video for Not About Love is pretty cool too.
Although I'm comparing the two, Extraordinary Machine is still an excellent album.

Fiona is a rare talent. This CD is worth adding to your collection.

Don't pay attention to those of us comparing the two versions. This CD deserves the attention it's getting.

She looks more beautiful than ever and I hope this CD does as excellent as it deserves.