The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do

I was so afraid to open this and listen to it after the last two "new releases" from some of my favorite artists had come out and been completely...... bland. I hate to be one of those that says "It's just not the same anymore about any artist, because being a writer, myself, I know that you get to a point where you want to experiment more. The very first song, and I sighed the deepest breath of relief. I think that this album is pure poetry. Some of the music is hard to hear, in ways, but obviously that is an expression of where she is and her pain.... But the symbology, prose, strange journey this album brought me through over and over again has become as least as amazing to me as Extraordinary Machine, and when I heard that album, I was completely unable to listen to anything but for weeks, heh. There is only one song on this album that is "so-so" to me, but it's probably because its more humor than depth. Not saying it's not a good song, but I don't sit my friends down to say "just listen to how she says this". If you can stand the intensity, and have a love for words and prose, but are a little on the strange side and enjoy commiserating with other people who can voice theirs eloquently, I think there is a very good chance that you will find and appreciate the genius tucked into this album. Every time I listen, I hear something I may have missed or didn't quite catch if I'm listening undisturbed. If you can look past the stereotype of the first albums and you're new to Fiona, and any of what I've described sounds interesting, then this is probably the best cd to start with. In my opinion (and just because of my tastes)she really took the writing and journey to a profoundly new level. The most ingenious part is that she was able to keep the "Fiona" style in tact. Many times I've seen writers lose that balance. I still felt that same Sullen Girl, but there is a complexity that was just taken to the next level without losing her "core" in the process.This is not for someone who just likes to bop around to tunes, I don't think. :) It's for someone introspective who can either relate or appreciate really beautifully written, VERY raw content. The music was the second to grow on me, which is rare. But it all came together for me after listening to it over and over until when I stopped my ipod, the songs didn't stop for days. It's an atmospheric journey I've yet to experience in music, generally. In fact, I can't think of a single album I could compare it to. It stands out, still has some really amazing melodies, raw pain, sadness, anger (rage, maybe closer to, heh) and a sly sense of humor at times. And all put into a package that fits together somehow.To me, that is brilliant. I think if she could stay stable, this would be prelude to some truly, truly unforgettable albums. It does seem, however, that it's a gamble as to whether or not every album may be her last.My advice, listen with an open mind. Learn a little about her history, and really pay attention to the lyrics if your enjoy word weaving. I can almost guarantee there will be a few moments when you go "wow, that was brilliantly said".I can't offer any one song as a favorite, but I love the line in one of the songs (I'm so bad with titles) where she says,"We are like a wishing well and a bolt of electricityWe can still support each other, all we gotta do's avoid each other'Nothin' wrong when a song ends in a minor key."True. And better that than the explosive madness of a really bad breakup. :) And I love her tendency to speak over simply, or even crudely (Anyone remember Extraordinary Machine -song's called "get him back"?"One man he disappoint me. He give me the gouge and he take my glee". hehe.)There's so much more than that I could quote. There's a really brilliant song where she eludes to a volcano (another relationship) and then goes on to sing "....shot up hot from under the sea. One thing leads to another, and you made an island of me". Within the context of the song, it was so brilliantly put... I can't do it justice in such fragments, but, if listen with an open mind, and love really delving into lyrics as more than just ties to music as the main thread, you'll probably experience something really wonderful getting to know this album. I hope I made some semblacne of sense. I probably scared a few buyers away, but I just may have enticed some newer breed of fans who aren't afraid to dig deep and let the album grow on you. For me, it was a one shot deal, but for some I think it will need a couple close listens, and open minds who aren't afraid to dive into a few bizarre bits of imagery (in the brain) or ideas and will recognize how amazing this album is, standing SO very much in it's own galaxy, but still staying SO true and cohesive on it's own.I hope someone experiences what I did. It's not often for me that albums bring me to these places. That's when you know it's magic..... or wizardry is the better word, me thinks. Because this was no mere trick of the hat but a deeply developed, yet raw and exposed "project" (for lack of a better word...) that makes sense as a unit in a beautiful and strange little world of its own. I never write reviews, but I couldn't help myself. I think that a new breed of minds will appreciate this more than the general populace. If you are hesitant because of the name "Fiona Apple", I'd let that rest and give it a good listening. It'd be a shame for someone who would relate to it, and she DOES let you into some really raw places, to miss it because of a more mainstream start. You're awesome (and going to enjoy your new cd) if you lasted to the end of this review. :)Be conscious of it, but also let your unconscious take you away a bit, and you'll see what I mean.FAQ: 1. No, I don't do drugs, not even the smokie (but, I'm not saying "I didn't inhale!" when I was younger). I'm just strange (I prefer, eclectic, but some people around me prefer to tend towards using.... more drastic terms. I just ask them to try to grow a less limited vocabulary, but that hasn't done me much good (or ill, for that matter). ;) I imagine this particular album would be quite an experience if I did listen in an even more heightened state. heh. :) Do share if you try it out that way. It will be some very powerful imagery, I'll bet.Cheers to anyone who had the same experience, or got there in a different way. And more cheers if you give this album a try based on my fragmented "review" and grow to love it. Then I haven't wasted a moment of time writing this, for sure.~Wes

If you LOVED Extraordinary Machine and consider it one of the best albums in recent memory, you might want to skip this record. This record has no polish, no hip-hop beats, no fun/silly/dancy hooks, and almost nothing light-hearted. Almost.Alternatively, if you're a fan of Janis Joplin, Animal Collective, and more complicated - and yes, more difficult - art, then this is your dream come true.I fall in the latter camp.This album is WAY more art than luster. It's more honest that way.Upon the first listen, I was slightly put off by the transition between what one might initially consider "cute" and "interesting" in the opening track "Every Single Night" (which recalls 2005's "Extraordinary Machine") and "Daredevil," a song which seems totally unpredictable and wild by contrast. The percussion, including the percussive piano chords, are driving and maddening! Her vocal performance is top-notch, and when she gets to the jazzy, Janis-esque bridge, you're having a "wow" moment. It may take a few spins, this isn't the kind of song (or album!) that's immediately gratifying for everybody. This song is indicative of the album as a whole in that it's challenging, rewarding, off-putting, and gripping all at the same time."Valentine" is a welcome respite from the madness of the second track, reminiscent of Fiona's earlier albums, especially When The Pawn.... The stand-up bass is positively delicious. She injects some humor and sweetness into a rather melancholy song. It feels like an instant classic.The next song "Jonathan" brings us back into challenging territory. It begins with extremely unpleasant sounds that remind me of Nine Inch Nails. Very industrial, mechanical sounds. It's a meandering piece, and the conflict of the relationship is stunningly apparent in the music, in the lyrics, in the vocals. It's actually quite a feat. I've heard complaints that this song runs too long, which is fair, but being that this song is about an awkward, bumpy train ride, lasting too long in discomfort is kind of the point.I had to revisit the next track, "Left Alone," a few times to believe it. In fact, I still can't believe it. It's an unambiguously ugly, mean, self-loathing, self-pitying cluster-mess! She verges on so much musical potential - you think for a moment she might take you there, to some place soaring and heavenly. But her voice taunts. It contorts. She starts groaning and squealing sometimes in the same word. It's very jarring. Again Fiona has put a very uncomfortable emotion into songform. Absolutely brilliant. Has to be heard to be believed. Multiple times. "My ills are reticulate, my woes are granular/The ants weigh more than the eleph-ants." No one is making music like this nowadays folks, NO ONE."Werewolf" is the "Paper Bag" (from 1999's When The Pawn...) of The Idler Wheel.... It's plaintive and pretty. Rare on this record. It's reminiscent of older music, Kurt Weill? Carole King? Probably not. The song is gorgeous heard out of the context of the album, but it shines particularly brightly among the other songs. It's so gentle, so humble. It's another respite after the density and difficulty of the last song. A good thing too, because the next song, "Periphery" is not an easy listen. Even in a simple and gorgeous tune, Fiona manages to have some fun: at one point, a banjo makes a cameo for 4 notes, and then bows out. Another fantastic detail to this song is the sample from the playground. It somehow captures nostalgia, innocence, sadness, happiness and terror all together. I love her spontaneity on this record, it is beyond refreshing. "Nothing wrong when/a song ends in a minor key." You can say that again, Fi. Your entire album is in a minor key."Periphery" is discordant and unpleasant. Deliberately. It opens up with ripping sounds. Again, Apple hints at harmony once in a while, with backup vocals popping up right in the middle of the song for a few bars, sounding almost - almost! - harmonious. But then the piano goes bonkers and she sings "I don't appreciate/people who/don't appreciate...You let me down/I don't even like you anymore at all!" Absolutely bizarrely delicious. And then it sounds like she's ripping up something again. I heard a pillow was one of the instruments in the liner notes, and this could easily be a pillow getting shredded and it's easy to imagine feathers floating around when the song ends.The next song snuck up on me. It's a real stunner. "Regret" starts out with mechanical beats, like an unhappy machine with missing pieces. Again: immediate tension. The piano is also displaying a longing: chord. pause. chord. pause. chord. pause. After being so off-kilter in "Periphery," "Regret" feels measured and sure-footed, even when she sings the ridiculous/hilarious highlight lyric: "I ran out of white doves' feathers/to soak up the hot piss that comes from your mouth/every time you address me."But finally, it's on "Anything We Want" that Fiona finally reveals her secret garden. The toys are all in full effect, bangs and taps and clings and clangs, with Fiona's grounding piano leading the way. In the middle there's a sort-of crescendo chord change that seems to finally peel back the ivies and let the sun shine in on you (and her). It's a unique and wonderful listening experience.The album closer, "Hot Knife" is indeed hot and sharp, a perfect upbeat finish that helps alleviate some of the emotional exhaustion one may feel at the end of such laundry airing. It's infectious and warm and yummy the way "The First Taste" (on 1996's Tidal) was, except in a much more nuanced execution. "You can relax around me."It's easy to think The Idler Wheel... is almost under-produced, until you realize that the vocals are well-layered and the sampling is perfect - and then you realize that these complex and difficult emotions are perfectly framed by this production. It's a strange sound taken as a whole, but a sound Fiona is comfortable with. Not that she didn't previously have full artistic control over her music, but she was kind of wandering around looking for a sound on her first 3 records - and that was a beautiful and wonderful journey to follow her on - but THIS is how Fiona Apple wants to sound. This is an artist at her peak, honestly showcasing her talents, her toys, her thoughts, her turmoil, her artwork, her ideas.And it's astounding, nothing less.

Je suis content en Tabar...Merci

Great product

El último disco de Fiona no es precisamente el más fácil de entender, pero después de varias reproducciones te enamoras de él. Esta versión es un verdadero lujo, contiene un booklet estilo libreta con ilustraciones y escritos, ademas de dos postales y un poster.

Non avevo mai ascoltato Fiona Apple, ho acquistato il cd su consiglio di altri appassionati.Devo dire che questo lavoro mi è piaciuto molto, lei ha una bellissima voce e la musica non si limita a riproporre l'ennesima versione di "easy jazz" tanto in voga in questo periodo.I brani presentano uno stile intrigante, tutti acustici, che hanno bisogno di 2/3 ascolti almeno per essere apprezzati fino in fondo.Ottima anche la qualità della registrazione, cosa che, per questo genere, aiuta moltissimo ad apprezzare il cd, soprattutto su impianti di un certo livello.Consigliatissimo!

Fiona Apple meldet sich mit ihrem bisher besten Album zurück. "The Idler Wheel..." ist wohl das brutalste, wütendste und schmerzvollste was meine Ohren in den letzten Jahren hören durften. Fiona schreit, brüllt, quiekt was das Zeug hält. Gesanglich und textlich ist sie mit diesem Album auf ihrem bisherigen Höhepunkt. Die spärliche Instrumentierung und das großartige Schlagzeug wechseln ständig Tempi und Intensität und machen dieses Album zu einem rohen, ungeschliffenen Diamanten. Hier findet man keinen Ausfall, keinen Füller, alle zehn Songs sind hervorragend und höchst abwechlungsreich.Die kleine Amerikanerin ist eine von diesen wenigen Personen, die es schaffen ihre Latte immer höher zu legen. Glaubte man, dass sie mit "When The Pawn..." schon ihren künstlerischen Zenith erreicht hatte, wurde man mit "Extraordinary Machine" und dem nun vorliegenden Meisterwerk "The Idler Wheel..." eines besseren belehrt. Was sind schon 7 Jahre Pause, wenn man dafür ein Album wie dieses bekommt. Sollte sie für ihr fünftes Album 20 Jahre brauchen... ich warte gerne darauf!Highlights: Daredevil, Jonathan, Left Alone, Periphery, Regret