Album Details

• Artist: Fiona Apple
• Album: The Idler Wheel ...
• Label: Epic
• Year of Release: 2012
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: carlita on 2012-07-10

Media

Now that ample time has passed, the saliva's dried and most tongues have returned to their homes in several early critics' heads, today seems like the right moment to throw my thoughts into the ring about one of the most anticipated albums of the year.  Much was written, depending on where you sit on the fence, about how absurd or brilliant it is/was to have a lengthy poetic album title. Fiona Apple's fourth album called The Idler Wheel is Wiser than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords will serve you more than ropes will ever do resurrects that artistic taste debate all over again.

After a hiatus, perhaps playing a cat and mouse game with audiences, making a few appearances locally at Largo, and with her record company on when this would release, "sullen" fans and critics alike were chomping at the bit to hoist the cherished waif muse back onto her Tidal and Pawn wobbly and now snail-slime covered pedestal.  Initially hesitant to listen to this even though I like Fiona Apple and plan to see her in concert soon to satisfy my burning curiosity about whether she can be personable or not, I wasn't ready to bow down just yet because it's been seven long years. 

Off the top, you expect every time she emerges from her moody cocoon to drop an album, she will emotionally peel away the layers with delightfully bizarre alt-jazz piano and percussion, right down to the mitochondria. Without fail, you see her DNA strands with lyrics like "tears calcify in my tummy" and "I ran out of white doves' feathers to soak up the hot piss that comes through your mouth"  as she conjures up vivid, disturbing images like no one else. For folks returning to Fiona, one thing that hasn't changed is the way you feel when listening to the album.

You pass through several states of emotion- awkward discomfort like being on stage, tugging on a shirt that's too small or too short ("Werewolf", "Left Alone" and "Periphery"), amused confusion as the tempo changes from whispering in your ear to random tribal chanting ("Every Single Night") or screaming herself hoarse ("Daredevil" and "Regret"), and finally, guilty hilarity, laughing about her unique take on relationships ("Jonathan" and "Hot Knife").  Blah blah blah. Is this her best album? No.  But it's definitely worth the listen and to sum it up in Fiona album title style, the cogs and gears of her extraordinary machine impressively churn once more, simultaneously trickling and gushing prickling sentiments. 

User Reviews and Comments

on 2012-07-20 tosnob Said:

With the exception of "Hot Knife" this is a pretty boring and predictable record
Rating: 5/10

Review:

on 2012-07-12 gutterseed Said:

I think Fionna's "hiatus" was spent in therapy. I think for certain artists they're great when they're hurting (i.e criminal). Once they get help there's nothing to write about.
if you look at Eminem's "relapse" and then listen to "recovery" you'll see what I mean. I broke relapse in half. i thought it was the biggest piece of shit every, yet recovery was so great because relapse got horrible reivews. I.e "
Click Clack POW", and "two fags in an asshole, lets take that line run it up the flagpole with Elton, intersting.
In regards to Fionna, I like this album, but, I didn't pay for it, nor would I. She's still got a great voice though. Perhaps she's trying to hard to maintain "feeling like a criminal".
Her voice is lacking soul on this album. I think the piano work on "Jonathon" is outstanding. I honestly think she's not over "Jonathon" and it suggests she's still up to her evil woman ways. I honestly think she should have quit and chosen the right to silence. But...."Jonathon" strikes again. I honestly think he should stick around, because he brings out the worst in her.
Not Rated

on 2012-07-10 hstisgod Said:

haha... great closing!!! Im about to get this, will have to revisit!
Not Rated