Adam's Apple - Wayne Shorter

Advantages: Soft and deep offering.
Disadvantages: Not much progression through the album.

...Fiona Apple's follow-up to "Tidal" has certainly proved her to be a significant artist, with this amazingly tuneful and bluesy offering. The dark start with moody "On The Bound" sets the album off in a kickass way. Her talent for songwriting is exemplified in "Paper Bag", which is certainly the product of an insightful mind. The album leaves you humming the tunes; quite a challenge for any artist. Quite a departure for me, taking me away from usual rock, but I enjoyed it, and would probably look out for more of her work in the future.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Ten of the best tracks of the year.
Disadvantages: It's short, but hey - it's perfect.

...Following on from her debut, Tidal, Fiona Apple proves herself to be consistently one of the world's best female singer-songwriters. Melancholy and uplifting in turns, this is a wonderfully expressive album. Ignore the fact that it has the longest record title in living history (which was actually a poem she used to read onstage during the first tour) and enjoy a musician at her peak. Not one bad track on the album, from the opening On The Bound to the closing I Know, this is consistently brilliant. It may only be 10 tracks, but when those ten tracks hang together as an album and sound as good as this, quality is emphasised over quality. A fantastic listen.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Fantastic follow up!
Disadvantages: Initially quite difficult to listen to if you are not used to Fiona

...As an avid Fiona Apple fan I am trying to be as subjective as possible but I can't stress enough what a great buy this is! From a musical perspective the harmonies, orchestration and weight behind most of the songs are very impressive but overall it is the emotion in each piece that blows me away. As usual Apple's vocals slip and slide their way around each melody and this album sees her use a greater melodic range than previous ones. Highlights for me would include the glorious opening song Extraordinary Machine with full orchestral pizzicato and thought provoking lyrics as well as the powerful ballard - Parting Gift where Piano and voice blend into one really pure sound. On the downside I do think the complexities of some of the songs in terms of lyrics, will leave new listeners to Apple a little perplexed and some of the songs... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful