Now virtually a grande dame among a field of ragin' babies at the ripe ol' age of 22, the oft-difficult Miss Apple shows every sign of blossoming into a major talent with this arresting sophomore release.
It's difficult to avoid being swept away by a vocalist who admits with candor, "I'm gonna make a mistake--I'm gonna do it on purpose," or with a lyricist who can take apart a prickly three-pronged love affair as affectingly as Apple does on the set-closing "I Know." The writing here, which is complex, sometimes blunt, and soul-baring without getting all sticky, is simply miles beyond the bland sentiments of the Lilith Fair sisterhood. The whole rich affair is produced to perfection by L.A. boardmeister-musician Jon Brion, who keeps things alternately lush and spikey. And Apple's voice remains an extraordinary instrument--still supernaturally mature, and as expressive as a cello in the hands of Heifetz.
Forget the brattiness and occasional lunacy that succeeded Tidal's ascent to hit status. This is the work of an adult artist, and one that's going to be sticking around.
All recordings written by F. Apple, courtesy of Clean Slate/Epic Records and FHW Music (ASCAP).
