Rolling Stone: Fiona Apple Ripe for Return

neatahwanta · October 17, 2003, 03:21:47 PM

Fiona Apple Ripe for Return
New album coming this winter

Fiona Apple has some good news: "We're about two weeks from being done," she says of her long-awaited third record, the follow-up to 1999's When the Pawn . . .. She's working in an Los Angeles studio again with producer Jon Brion (Aimee Mann) on the album, which is now likely to come out in February.

The still-untitled LP is tentatively set to include ten tracks. "When I've written ten songs, I'm done," Apple says. Among the songs guaranteed to make the final cut are "Extraordinary," a Tin Pan Alley-esque blend of Tom Waits and Vaudeville, and "Better," an OutKast-like deluge of beats.

This record is the third collaboration for the twenty-six-year-old Apple and Brion, and this time the two have really hit a groove. "Over time," she says, "working with Jon and [drummer] Matt Chamberlain, I know what they're going to have fun doing when I'm writing."

During the time between When the Pawn . . . and the upcoming set, Apple and Brion met for lunch weekly, but "not to discuss work." Then about a year ago, Apple says, "I started to get the itch" after a two-year break during which she did things like hang out with family, friends and her dogs, read, take walks, ride her bike, and work on her art.

Apple didn't listen to much music during the break, but given the disparate sounds of "Extraordinary" and "Better," she did successfully open her work up to new ideas and influences. "I guess it's all over the place," she says. "But I'm too close to the songs . . . You'll just have to decide for yourself."

STEVE BALTIN
(October 17, 2003)

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/newsarticle.asp?nid=18840

blackmamba · October 17, 2003, 09:57:06 PM

Wow, I about shit myself when I read this. I've been praying for her return. But I swear, if she pulls a Liz Phair-sell out on me, I am gonna beat her over the head with a scuplture of a white penis. (a little movie reference I hope you all get)

edison · October 18, 2003, 11:04:02 AM

Quote from: blackmambaWow, I about shit myself when I read this. I've been praying for her return. But I swear, if she pulls a Liz Phair-sell out on me, I am gonna beat her over the head with a scuplture of a white penis. (a little movie reference I hope you all get)

uh, what movie is that from?

Find Your Magali · October 18, 2003, 11:11:53 AM

Quote from: EEz28
Quote from: blackmambaWow, I about shit myself when I read this. I've been praying for her return. But I swear, if she pulls a Liz Phair-sell out on me, I am gonna beat her over the head with a scuplture of a white penis. (a little movie reference I hope you all get)

uh, what movie is that from?

It's from 1989's "Sculpture of the White Penis," starring Emilio Estevez, Kathleen Turner and Hector Elizondo

Duh!

Sleuth · October 18, 2003, 02:49:42 PM

He was winking, dude

Ernie · October 18, 2003, 03:40:16 PM

Yea, but that was still funny...really funny.

I might actually have to go against my downloading tendencies and buy this. She's cool.

Alethia · October 18, 2003, 11:51:08 PM

how come her and PT split?

Ghostboy · October 18, 2003, 11:56:41 PM

Isn't everyone just assuming they split because they shun the spotlight?

Alethia · October 19, 2003, 12:12:59 AM

god and they looked so great together

pookiethecat · October 19, 2003, 07:52:50 PM

holy shit holy shit holy shit.

i'm so fucking excited.

i've been listening to when the pawn a lot lately and it never fails to amaze me just how goddamn good this album is.

what a cool bday present

MacGuffin · October 19, 2003, 08:04:14 PM

Quote from: pookiethecatwhat a cool bday present

pookiethecat · October 19, 2003, 08:14:38 PM

thanks mac.

though i have to admit: this has been probably one of the worst birthdays i've had. but maybe it'll perk up in the next 3 or so hours that's left.

freakerdude · October 20, 2003, 03:41:05 AM

Quote from: pookiethecati've been listening to when the pawn a lot lately and it never fails to amaze me just how goddamn good this album is.

Wow. I have had that album and maybe played it 3 times in over 2 years. It never stood out like Tidal to me....maybe I need to give it another couple of runs.

pookiethecat · October 20, 2003, 05:03:03 PM

Quote from: freakerdudeplayed it 3 times in over 2 years. It never stood out like Tidal to me....maybe I need to give it another couple of runs.

that's exactly the problem. the album is very difficult to get into the groove of. it requires patience and many exhausting preliminary listens to enjoy. once you tap into it though, there's no return.

as a jazz fan, freakerdude, i think you'd really appreciate it. fiona taught herself piano from the Ultimate Fake Book and the way that impacted her music is very apparent on when the pawn. (as well as tidal too). off color chords, syncopation, improv-style fluidity in vocals. great upright bass on "Get Gone."

i think the album is a masterpiece, objectively. i've listened to it from a shitload of phases and no matter how much i want to pass it off as a silly teenage obsession, this album continues to impress and imbue a powerful reaction in me as a music listener.

check it out man, seriously.

neatahwanta · October 21, 2003, 03:04:07 PM

Quote from: pookiethecatfiona taught herself piano from the Ultimate Fake Book and the way that impacted her music is very apparent on when the pawn. (as well as tidal too). off color chords, syncopation, improv-style fluidity in vocals. great upright bass on "Get Gone."

What is the Ultimate Fake Book?

And if you recall, what article did you get that from? (I don't doubt you, I just wonder how I missed that little tidbit.)