By Steve Rhodes
Tribune rock critic Greg Kot awarded Fiona Apple’s new album 3.5 out of four stars in a review in which he called the recording “a raw, unsettling listen” filled with “jagged arrangements, lurching rhythms and off-kilter melodies” that lay out “tales of personal mayhem.”
WBEZ music blogger Jim DeRogatis couldn’t disagree more; on a recent edition of Sound Opinions he told Kot that listening to Apple was a “chore.”
“You’re so wrong,” Kot replied.
So which is it?
Apple was in town last week at the Chicago Theatre; I’ve pulled some YouTube videos so you can judge for yourself – though obviously not all selections are from the new record. And if it makes any difference, here’s what a couple others think.
Ryan Dombal, Pitchfork: “[T]he most distilled Fiona Apple album yet . . . Every single waveform is pierced with purpose.” Nine out of ten stars.
Jeremy D. Larson, Consequence of Sound: “Apple’s vocal violence is both hard to listen to and yet totally punk rock . . . succeeds in creating a singular world more daring than any of Apple’s previous records and one of the most daring pop records in recent history.” Four-and-half out of five stars.
Also, here’s a much talked-about New York magazine feature/profile.
And now, Apple at the Chicago Theatre.
(One thing I will say about Kot’s incredibly well-written – as usual – concert review: I’m not sure Fiona looks “fierce”; she looks anorexic, which is worrying when it comes to her. Only her voice seems physically strong.)
*
1. It’s Only Make Believe (Conway Twitty covert)
–
2. Criminal.
–
3. Extraordinary Machine. (Security made christeph stop recording.)
–
4. Anything We Want.
–
5. Shadowboxer.
–
6. Carrion.
–
7. Werewolf.
–
8. Paper Bag.
–
9. Daredevil.
–
10. I Know.
–
11. On The Bound.
–
12. And here’s a snippet from her Lincoln Hall performance in March.
–
Comments welcome.
–
1. From Steve Rhodes:
I didn’t really give an opinion myself here because I haven’t heard the new record. In fact, the only record of hers I do have (and have heard the whole way through) is Extraordinary Machine. It’s a good record and the title track is, indeed, extraordinary. But DeRo makes a point in that sometimes listening to Apple can get tedious. She’s immensely talented, intriguing and – at times – mesmerizing. But I wish she would learn to rock, and change up her palate a little more.
Posted on July 14, 2012