Reviews (page 3 of 13)
Surprisingly excellent. I knew the name, but this was way cooler than I’d expected. Like a chamber-pop Alanis Morissette.
I really enjoyed this one. Really enjoyable style, nice smooth instrumentals, and great vocal work! 'The Child is Gone' was my fave.
One of those "blindspot" records that I am not proud of as I generally enjoy everything I hear from Fiona. Feels like a cooler/smokier version of Regina Spektor who I think came onto the scene later than her or at least around the same time. All really interesting songs that never go in directions I expect but are beautiful nonetheless. Some have great beats, some have jazzy xylophone, beautiful orchestration, general heavy and melodic piano and most have weird choices but that makes them all the more memorable. My top songs are sleep to dream, shadowboxing, criminal, the first taste and carrion.
One of my favorite albums of all time!
I won't lie, I had try to listen to this album about 4 times before I actually had a chance to sit down and listen to it all at once. As a collective piece, this thing is a masterpiece. The themes of harming a relationship, trying to mend it, and maturing in the process are clear by the end of the album. I really enjoyed it, especially the back half. Best Songs: Sleep to Dream, Shadowboxer, Criminal, Carrion Worst Songs: NA
Already listen to a bit of modern Fiona apple, but damn, this is a good album. Hasn’t aged at all.
A deeply great album. I loved Criminal back in the day and I still think it is a nearly perfect song. Back to back with Shadowboxer on the album makes for an interesting exploration of the roles of hunter and prey. Also I just love her voice.
Seems like I should have given "Tidal" a proper listen a long time ago, huh? Fiona Apple had always eluded me, back then, when this album could have fit right in after Morissette's "Jagged Little Pill" and my time with Amos' "Under The Pink" and then later, when, here and there incidentally, I caught glimpses of what seemed like a cracking human and I'd had a cursory peek into one of her albums only to not be quite grabbed, kinda genre-wise? But: 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘳𝘦𝘴! Happy to redeem this here and today. This is astoundingly great! A magnificient album.
Nella lista non c’è “When the Pawn…” che è sicuramente il suo album migliore e per quanto non sia corretto darò 5 a questo in onore di “When the Pawn…” (bello anche Tidal però un po’ monotono)
A great debut
This is one of my all time favs. insane debut album. the raw rage and talent with the most powerfull voice. she ate
If I could only pick 10 albums to listen to for the rest of my life, this would be on the list. This is another album that love deeply and have listened to regularly for at least half my life. The very first strikes of the drum on “Sleep to Dream” are an immaculate start to the album, as is the entire track, which is one of my favorites. Most of the other relatively higher-energy tracks are among my favorites, namely “Shadowboxer” and “The First Taste”. When the full instrumental suite kicks in on “The First Taste” is just *chefs kiss*. My favorite track of all is perhaps “Carrion”. Which is not to say the slower, sadder numbers, of which there are many, are lesser songs. The songwriting and lyricism throughout this album astounds me every time I listen to it. To consider that Apple was a teenager when she wrote these songs is genuinely baffling to me. The maturity, emotional depth, and poeticism of her words is far beyond anything I could dream of writing as a grown adult or even what most professional songwriters put out. It’s a beautiful, devastating, flawless, no-skips album. I love every evolution of Fiona Apple’s style and every album she’s put out since Tidal, but for me this debut album is one of those lightning-in-a-bottle releases that achieves something that few albums can. 10/10
Most excellent. This is the gateway drug to Fiona.
great
Man, Fiona Apple is so good. I mostly listen to her more recent work, but going back to this debut really illustrates how strongly she started and how she has just gotten better with each release. To listen to this and then realize for the thousandth time that she was under 20 years old writing these songs and recording this album is still so shocking. She has always had a wisdom and weariness that is familiar to any woman but hard to confidently convey. And she was right: this world is bullshit - go with yourself.
听完以后会觉得世上或许再也没有这么完美的专辑了…这次返听也比先前多注意到了trip-hop的存在。
Wow - intense debut album stands up 18 years later, Never heard complete, but listened repeatedly today. Sorry I failed to notice years ago. You can hear so many who have been influenced by her - - Applause!
I was astonished to learn how young Apple was when this was recorded. In her vocals, arrangements and lyrics, she sounds wise beyond her years.
Sleep to Dream is in the running for best first song off a debut album. The title is also apt, there's a dreamlike quality to the piano and vibraphone. Sullen Girl is also appropriately named, the vibe fits the title or maybe vice versa. Shadowboxer was the first single and her first hit. It got overshadowed by Criminal later, partly because the video had her in various states of undress. Norah Jones is a pale, poppy imitation of Fiona Apple. The First Taste has a Latin(?) or Middle Eastern (?) vibe that doesn't really fit the rest of the album. But I'm nodding my head to it, maybe it's her big dance number. Never Is a Promise is a beautiful song. Pale September is great too. There's an aggressiveness coupled with a vulnerability in her voice and these songs that is amazing. Carrion too. This album is amazing.
Five of the albums on this list should be Fionna Apple albums. Tidal is the first of them all. Incredible debut. Most would be lucky to make something half as good as this on their first outing. Classic. *Heard before
I have very limited experience with Fiona Apple, and I’m glad I got to listen to this. Melancholic and beautiful. It’s hard to believe she was only 18 when this came out.
Might be my #1 album from this entire list. There are very few albums where I think every single song is fantastic. I love Fiona's voice. I love the downtempo, the piano and strings, the strong emotion. I love it all.
I was in high school when Fiona Apple dropped “Criminal”, and I remember just being mesmerized by her voice and the music video. Yet I didn’t fully appreciate the entire Tidal album at the time. As I got older I really started loving the album, and today it is definitely up there as an all time favorite. Her voice just pulls you in and makes you pay attention. Absolutely great entry on the list.
I'm a pretty big fan of Fiona's already, but I'm admittedly way more familiar with Extraordinary Machine on, so this is almost a fresh listen for me apart from Criminal and Sleep To Dream which, if you grew up when I did, you couldn't avoid hearing at least a few times. I'm struck by how mature she already sounds here. It's a bit slower than her later records, but this is fucking strong songwriting for an 18 year old. I was quite prepared to see lots of disparaging reviews for this given that female voice = bad here most of the time, but I'm pleasantly surprised. Well done y'all! My main complaint is that there are no other Fiona Apple albums on this list. Wtf. She gets even better than this, so if you like this, go listen to at least the next two albums of hers.
Imagine turning out an album like this when you're only nineteen! Excellent stuff; I enjoyed this more than "Bolt Cutters"
women
Real good , only heard 1 of her songs ever but now I'm a fan
Love.
LOVE Fiona Apple 🍎🍏🍎🍏
alot of jazz in those vocals!
Love love love this album. I can still remember the first time I heard Fiona Apple. It was late at night watching VH-1 and the video for Shadowboxer was on. Hooked! I got this album and listen to it on stop. Thanks for the reminder❤️
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CkEHikn17eU
makes it feel like you're walking through new York
Knew and liked ‘Criminal’ from back on MTV but really the first time delving into any of Fiona Apple’s catalog. This was a fantastic album! Really liked each song, great variety but also worked well together. I’ve been missing out! 5/5
A perfect jazzy and chamber pop production. Great lyrics and production.
Love it
Love it
Loved!!!!
Cerramos la semana con disco debut de una artista actualmente en las sombras. En la línea de Alanis Morissette pero más oscuro e introspectivo, es un muy buen primer trabajo, con una Fiona Apple explotando su voz (con toques de Patti Smith en Shadowboxer: impresionante) con su tono y con la interpretación que hace de cada canción, sumado sus dotes en el piano. Todo soñado. Buen fin de semana.
Love this album
9.1
This is just magnificent. Her arrangements are unique, and her voice soars to heights equalling the depths of her emotions. Her voice is mature yet playful, exquisitely smooth yet simultaneously haunting when she calls for it. You can feel her pain and exasperation as if the songs are an intimate glimpse into a complex yet relatable soul. Yet, it isn't depressing or demeaning. Give this an honest and attentive listen, and you will be richly rewarded with a uniquely beautiful experience.
Increíble de principio a fin, cada canción tiene una emotividad increible de las voces de Apple, Increíble técnica y talento. 100% seguiré sus otros proyectos. 10/10
Goes without words, 2nd great artistic statement this week.
Wasn't real tuned into this one when it came out, and I should have been. It's a great album.
Great
Fav: Carrion Least Fav: The First Taste
The start of something special.
One of the best and most innovative artists of our time in my opinion. Even at her first album she was fantastic, and knowing how her work evolved and developed past it is only a testament to how well it holds up.
I love this album. Held up beautifully over time.
This slaps so much.
Really great album. She has such a range of emotion in her voice that pairs so perfectly with the music and the poetry of her lyrics that is unlike any other artist
Primeiro álbum que ouvi dela. Braba, feroz, atacante. 10/10.
I’m already familiar with Fiona Apple as a singer-songwriter, having heard her album Fetch the Bolt Cutters when it dropped in 2020. I very much enjoyed that album, and that same amount of enjoyment can be applied to her debut album as well. This can be attributed to how Fiona is able to take emotionally complex relationship drama drawn from her fraught adolescence, and make her stories accessible with well-written hooks. Add to that Jon Brion and Patrick Warner’s contributions on various instruments like the marimba and Chamberlin organ, and you got a piano-driven album with variance. Themes explored range from sexuality with “Criminal”, temptation with “Shadowboxer”, fantasizing with “The First Taste”, and even reminiscing about an ex-lover with “Never is a Promise.” There’s also no denying the impact of the wistful closer “Carrion”, where the relationship comes to a point where there is no saving it, as her love for her partner fades amidst the tickling ivories and jaunty guitar soloing. Overall, I enjoyed Tidal very much, as it serves as a good introduction to Fiona if you haven’t checked her out.
Not bad have interesting songs on it, cool piano and violins
I love this record. It’s not quite as musically sophisticated as her later work but is chock full of bangers.
This heavily reminds me of Portishead's "Dummy". The songs are great, not one miss. My favourite song on "Tidal" is "Carrion". The last few minutes are fantastic. It looks like this week will be a wonderful musical experience. I'll give "Tidal" 5 stars.
full is not heavy as empty, not nearly my love. 🦢🌊🕸🐚🌧️ highlights: sleep to dream; slow like honey; the first taste. see also: love deluxe (sade, 1992); heroin chic; gilmore girls; debut (björk, 1993).
This was beautiful and amazing.
Beautiful voice- well composed songs. I don’t recall ever listening to this entire album before - But I will again.
one of my favorite singers from middle school/high school. i've seen her twice in concert (once with Nickel Creek). this is her best album by far.
Love her always. Love this album. Her lyrics, passion, pain, anger, poetry, and deep low register are soothing and rousing and inspirational as usual. 🖤
Incredible debut for one of the best artists and poets of this generation
I'll be damned this album is so lush and tender. Fiona whips out on her debut something most musicians cannot accomplish even after decades of recording, a subtle and sensual semi-pop album yet heartbroken on the downlow and oh so catchy. How even at its most laborious and long-winded it maintains infectious writing is beyond me.
I dig Fiona Apple. Never really listened to this album that much, but it's totally Fiona. And I actually like every track. I like her voice, the piano, the variety here. I'm gonna go 4.5+ for me personally. I'm a sucker for a pretty voice and a piano... Never Is a Promise has some really sweet vocals... but also the arrangement on The First Taste really sounds great!
(Gordon Ramsey voice) finally some good fucking food "Criminal" is the only song to which I have the lyrics memorized. Not through effort, but through the osmosis of how iconic it is.
At first I was a bit skeptical listening to this. Then about halfway through it hit me how beautiful everything about these songs are.
A first step toward later brilliance.
### **In-Depth Review of Fiona Apple's "Tidal"** **Overview:** Released on July 23, 1996, "Tidal" is Fiona Apple's debut album, showcasing her unique blend of confessional songwriting, jazz-influenced vocals, and lush production. The album garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, earning Apple a Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for the song "Criminal." **Lyrics:** Fiona Apple’s lyrics on "Tidal" are deeply personal, introspective, and often dark, reflecting her struggles and emotional turmoil. Each song is a poetic exploration of themes such as love, betrayal, self-discovery, and existential angst. - **"Criminal"**: Perhaps the most famous track, "Criminal" delves into feelings of guilt and remorse, capturing the complexity of moral conflict with lines like “I’ve been a bad, bad girl.” - **"Shadowboxer"**: This song explores themes of manipulation and emotional resilience, using boxing metaphors to convey the push and pull of a tumultuous relationship. - **"Sullen Girl"**: A poignant reflection on Apple’s own experiences with trauma, this track uses the ocean as a metaphor for emotional depth and isolation. - **"Never Is a Promise"**: A ballad about broken promises and unfulfilled expectations, it highlights Apple’s vulnerability and yearning for understanding. The lyrics are characterized by their raw honesty and vivid imagery, often leaving a lasting impact on the listener. **Music:** Musically, "Tidal" blends elements of jazz, alternative rock, and piano-driven pop, creating a sound that is both sophisticated and accessible. - **Instrumentation**: The album features lush arrangements, with prominent use of piano, strings, and subtle electronic elements. Apple's piano playing is a central element, providing both melody and emotional weight. - **Vocals**: Fiona Apple’s voice is a standout feature, marked by its rich, emotive quality. She skillfully navigates a range of dynamics, from sultry whispers to powerful belts, conveying intense emotion in every line. - **Production**: Produced by Andrew Slater, the production on "Tidal" is polished yet retains an organic feel. The use of reverb and layering enhances the emotional depth of the songs without overshadowing Apple’s voice and piano. **Themes:** "Tidal" delves into a variety of themes, each song offering a different perspective on Apple’s inner world. - **Emotional Turmoil**: Many tracks deal with feelings of anger, sadness, and confusion. Apple’s exploration of these emotions is both cathartic and relatable. - **Identity and Self-Discovery**: Songs like "Shadowboxer" and "Never Is a Promise" touch on the journey of understanding oneself and grappling with personal demons. - **Love and Relationships**: The album frequently addresses the complexities of love, from the passionate and obsessive to the painful and unrequited. Apple’s nuanced take on relationships is a recurring theme. - **Existential Reflection**: Tracks such as "Sullen Girl" and "The First Taste" reflect on deeper existential questions and the search for meaning in a tumultuous world. **Influence:** "Tidal" has had a lasting impact on both critics and fans, influencing a generation of artists with its emotional depth and musical innovation. - **Critical Acclaim**: The album received widespread praise upon release, with critics lauding Apple’s songwriting, vocal performance, and mature approach to difficult subjects. - **Commercial Success**: "Tidal" achieved commercial success, certified triple platinum in the United States, and spawning hits like "Criminal" that remain iconic. - **Legacy**: Fiona Apple’s debut is often cited as a pivotal work in the 90s alternative music scene, influencing artists in genres ranging from indie rock to contemporary pop. **Pros:** - **Emotional Depth**: The album’s raw, unfiltered exploration of complex emotions is both compelling and relatable. - **Vocal Performance**: Fiona Apple’s voice is a powerful instrument, capable of conveying a wide range of emotions with nuance and intensity. - **Lyricism**: Apple’s poetic and introspective lyrics offer a profound look into her psyche, making for an engaging and thought-provoking listen. - **Musicality**: The blend of jazz, rock, and piano-driven pop creates a rich and dynamic soundscape that supports the emotional content of the songs. - **Production Quality**: The production by Andrew Slater is polished yet allows Apple’s voice and piano to shine, enhancing the album’s overall impact. **Cons:** - **Dark Tone**: The album’s heavy and often somber tone may not appeal to all listeners, particularly those looking for lighter or more uplifting music. - **Complex Lyrics**: The intricate and sometimes abstract nature of the lyrics might be challenging for listeners who prefer straightforward storytelling. - **Consistency**: While the album is cohesive, some tracks may feel repetitive in their exploration of similar themes and emotions, potentially leading to a sense of monotony for some listeners. **Conclusion:** "Tidal" remains a powerful and influential debut album, showcasing Fiona Apple’s remarkable talent as a songwriter, vocalist, and musician. Its blend of emotional intensity, sophisticated lyricism, and lush musical arrangements make it a standout work in the 90s alternative scene and a lasting piece of Apple’s discography. Despite its dark tone and complex themes, "Tidal" offers a deeply rewarding experience for those willing to delve into its depths.
4.5 So smooth, so cool, consistently. Loved this one.
perfect
5 stars. All Fiona Apple’s album are 5 stars from me, I love her wordplay and snarkiness, and a lot of her songs will somewhere take a turn musically that isn’t expected. 5 stars.
I love her voice and the instrumentals. great vibe overall. she's a girls' girl. she gets it.
Holds up so impressively well. Fiona manages to create an aurora instantly and holds it across the track list. 5/5
Love her voice, love her lyrics, love her emotion. I wasn't into this kind of music when it came out, but I am now, and it's incredible.
It’s been a long time since I listened to this one and so glad I did again! An amazing album with incredible lyrics over a wonderful jazzy sound. If remember buying this CD and loving it upon first listen and I still do.
How an 18 year old wrote "Slow Like Honey" is beyond me. Loved this album from the first notes of "Sleep to Dream" all the way to the end. So much talent. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens when the Swifties get to college and discover Fiona.
New Fiona Apple album, to me anyway! Great!
So up my alley I can’t believe I haven’t heard this before.
I've heard great things about Fiona, and they are 100% correct. The production is simply sublime, and her voice just radiates this certain warmth to it.
It’s a 4 that I’m gonna bump up to a 5. I’m kinda just stunned, really, and I’m not really sure if I have the proper words to describe my mood right now. This is the first time I’ve properly heard Fiona Apple, ever; her voice is incredibly unique to me, and her slightly deeper tone just clicked super well for me as the primary instrument on this album. The piano, while it did eventually lose its luster near the end of the album, is a really strong choice for her to play off of, as there were times when she was just gliding with the damn thing. For 1996, this feels like it wouldn’t miss a damn beat if it had come out in 2024. I also really liked the lyrics here; just evocative enough for imagery to sort of let the brain drift away and get lost, but not in a way where you lose all focus on the soundscape and her vocals. There were a few tracks where the lyrics sort of lost me, and when they lost me, the instrumental and her vocals couldn’t really pull me back in. However, for the vast majority of this album, something just captivated me, and that’s why even though it’s nearer to a 4 for me, given the runtime, the occasional extended instrumental outros, and the occasional moments of lyrical confusion, I enjoyed this so damn much that I have to bump it up to a 5.
loved
I wish it hadn't taken until Fetch the Bolt Cutters for me to listen to Fiona Apple but now I'm just so glad to be on the inside. I hadn't listened to this one yet but LOVED IT. She's always been this good?? Wild!
Loved the album
omfg
I love Fiona's voice, the instruments are all really cool sounds. I especially like the piano/guitar on tracks like Criminal and Carrion. It's hard not to compare this album to Bjork's work around this time and while the similarity is there with the arrangements but where they differ is how the vocals is treated. I do like Fiona's more gentle voice on the more subdued tracks on this album versus if the tracks were more aggressive. I think the grooves that are created in tracks like Shadowboxer are really good
I didn’t think I liked Fiona Apple. Turns out I do like dem apples.
Yeah, while this first album isn't as artistic and weird as her later stuff, it's still got some absolutely soul-bearing perfect songs. Give me "Shadowboxer" as her most perfect song. (At least: today.)
Stellar. 5/5
Despite having technically "heard" this album before, I never truly listened to it. I can say that for certain because I sort of dismissed it initially. On this re-listen though, I was utterly blown away. Fiona Apple has always been an artist who sort of intimidated me, maybe it's because I started with her contemporary releases that were more puzzling and difficult to digest for me back when I heard them, lyrically and instrumentally."Tidal", to me, is the perfect blend of enjoyability, depth, and personality that I was hoping from an artist like Fiona Apple. I'll start by tackling this album instrumentally. Although a majority of these tracks have strong piano-driven instrumentals, the rest of the sounds that fill the remainder of the sonic space here help diversify this album. I love the strings on the song "Never Is a Promise", adding a baroque twist to this song; it's the most gorgeous track here. The heavy drum and bassy intro to "Criminal" makes it sound almost like a trip-hop track. The album can be divided into two categories, you have the warmer and softer songs and ones that are more crunchy, visceral, and driving. The direction the music takes tends to match the lyrical angle tackled by Fiona in the particular song as well. For example, the tragic, slow, and almost lost depiction of the song "Sullen Girl" nicely matches the very vast, almost larger-than-life, and elegant instrumental direction the song goes in. A lot of the songs on this album are more than easy to enjoy. Fiona draws from the many areas of the vast world of popular music when composing these songs, resulting in something very eclectic. But that's not to say the songs are watered down in any way; there's something wholly unique about the spin Fiona and her producers put on these songs. Fiona's a subtle singer, I think that's obvious, but her range is evident and never overpowers the rest of the music and is never buried in the mix here. I enjoy her voice here. Lyrically speaking, this album tackles many different themes relating to Fiona's personal experiences with intimacy and self-growth. Fiona's wariness when entering a new relationship is tackled in a song like "Shadowboxer" while her desire to grow past a stifling relationship is put on display in a song like "Sleep to Dream". "The Child is Gone" may be the most tragic song here, depicting a loss of innocence which very much parallels Fiona's personal experience. I don't think I've fully digested this album after one listen but everything about it comes off very personally driven and I'd attribute that primarily to Fiona's writing. This album has everything, the more directly enjoyable tracks on the front of the album, and the mellower, gorgeous, and melancholic tracks that slowly send it off. There seems to be a subtle progression with this album's lyrical themes, and by extension, its sonic depiction of those themes. It seems to be one of personal growth and acceptance, relating to herself and her relationships with others. Maybe my interpretation of these themes is shallow upon first listen, but I think that's the general idea here. This is such a well-rounded and meaningful album that I'm super glad I re-visited.
Love this album, though I think when the pawn is more deserving, still 5 stars nonetheless
Perfect record.
To write and release an album this harrowing, this deeply painful, so palpably learned and lived in, drawn from knowledge so obviously acquired from terrifying experience after terrifying experience, all before the age of 20, you have to understand one thing – womanhood is a petrifying risk, and the path to the summit via girlhood is a cliffside walk all the way up. But even the hauntings along the way can be genuinely gorgeous under the right, delicate light. Fiona Apple knows how to cast that light just before the beauty wilts. Every song here, from the sparsest piano ballad to the most orchestrated pop single, blurs the line between sensual and eerie, mixing dark lyrics delivered in a whisper across a variety of old-school pop and jazz aesthetics. It sounds like they were plucked out of the tradition, or like they've always been here. But only Fiona could've made these exact tunes, modern but universal, designed to pull tears to your feet. This is just one excellent example in a discography filled with multiple examples that only overshadow this record because, again, she was a teenager when she wrote these; a part of me doesn't care that I think "The Child Is Gone" and "Pale September" are only good, because I still am in awe of them, along with everything else here. This is music so emotional, words can't describe the tears, so it's better to just listen for yourself and bear witness.
What a great debut that set up a path to even more greatness.
música para desquiciadas
Que locura, tenía 18 años cuando salió!!! Straight classic. Fiona siempre serás la GOAT.
Very few artists are in a genre all their own, where almost literally no one else sounds like them, and their own sound is incredibly mutable but instantly recognizable. Fiona Apple is one. I had never given this album a thorough listen before, even after Fetch the Boxcutters came out and reminded me to go back through her catalog as she's this absolute force to be reckoned with whenever she decides to surface. What a debut!! Everything else that came out around here really just feels like imitators now. Generally more accessible than her later records (though I hesitate so claim she is still finding her voice - she already knows her sound - it would simply continue evolving as she did). She's kind of like if Bjork made sense. Wish I had had more time to listen to this without doing anything else. Will need to revisit.
Wow, a really strong album all the way through. Was only familiar with the hits Shadowboxer and Criminal but I was surprised at how good the entire record was. Even more impressed that she was only 18 when she made it.
I did not expect to give this a 5, but wow. Maybe it's my own ignorance, but this album is like nothing I've ever heard before. Some tracks sound baroque and some sound like Sade. I was hugely impressed with the song "The First Taste, and was floored by lyrics like "Never is a promise and you can't afford to lie" (on "Never in a Promise") that said so much so simply. I also can't believe this is a debut album. Well done.
Very nice
Fantastic album!
Meh: Slow like honey Pale September Like: Sleep to dream Shadowboxer The first taste The child is gone Carrion Dislike: Added to a playlist: Sullen girl Criminal Never is a promise
One of my favorite albums!!
Classic! One of the few albums I can say had an impact on me growing up. An emotional record that isn't too depressing and has a good mix of powerful tunes like Shadowboxer but also calm songs like Pale September. The only song I usually skip is First Taste.
Omg her voice is beautiful
Fiona Apple you have so much power with your voice. 9/10. This the type of music I really really enjoy.
This is one of my favorite albums of all time. Her anger, her longing for thins to be better, OH I LOVE it.
I had never heard about Fiona Apple before this album came up here. I had not heard any of the songs on the album before. Therefore a big surprise: I really like it. Will definitely be listening to her again!
I owned this, buying it when it came out. I had always listened to the songs that were the singles, but I never really listened to the whole album. Listening to it again today, I appreciate it a lot more than I did back then. But, to my credit, I was a teenage boy and this album was not for me. Not that it is for me now, as a middle-aged man. But I definitely very much liked it. Great to revisit and excited to listen to it more.
This is a good one.
Masterpiece
One of my favorite albums ever. Fiona Apple always delivers.
Kat Stratford type beat <3
Simply beautiful. Where has this and her other albums been my whole life? I never realized how much Fiona Apple influenced some of my favourite artists. Excellent listen and absolutely why doing the 1001 Albums Challenge was a good idea.
Strong vocals, powerful lyrics, great album.
Assured, majestic and heartbreaking
Masterpiece
So awesome. Probably on the best of 90s album list.
True 5 star album
This was hands down over of my favorite albums as a 90's teen! Haven't listened to it in at least 20 years but still knew all the words. Album still holds up for the most part, it's amazing to consider how young she was!
One of the best albums ever made.
Totally forgot how great this album is
THIS album is so great! A classic.
Incredibly artistic and complex piece of music. Very emotional. Not a single bad song here. Not even an average song here, everything is top notch.
Fiona is queen.
Jazzy, groovy and absolutely cool. Probably my favorite album so far in this 1001 albums. Reminds me of early Björk and I absolutely love Björk.
Favorite Tracks: Sleep to Dream Criminal Slow Like Honey
This is my first exposure to Fiona Apple, believe it or not. I really enjoyed it. She gave me reminders of Amy Winehouse, Sara McLaughlin, and Nora Jones, all of whom I enjoy. I will listen to more of her work.
Sultry voice with excellent range. Musical composition is complex but catchy, with a range of instruments all perfect for the songs' moods. Fantastic album.
Love it! Fiona's awesome and this is an amazing debut album, especially given her age at the time.
The template for angsty young woman rock, at least for me
Really powerful, soulful album. Amazing introductory album from Fiona Apple. Makes such a strong first impression.
I still know this album by heart!
Love this album
10/10 goes from strength to strength
It's interesting listening to this album for the first time now almost 30 years after it came out. It was impossible not to know about Fiona Apple in 1996 with the album and the Criminal music video being ubiquitous in all music media. Years later it's a wonder how good this album was and still is and how immensely talented Apple was already at the age of 19, especially in light of how great the rest of her output has been. Really excellent listen.
My first time listening to Fiona Apple, and it was great. Ten stellar tracks, each with their own unique instrumental feel and brilliant, non-overblown piano part. The mixing is done well, allowing Fiona's beautiful and emotional vocal to shine. Fiona also incorporates a hard-to-describe theatrical element to her performance that adds drama and variation to each of the songs. The songwriting style is unadventurous but honed to near perfection. Sleep To Dream, Sullen Girl, Criminal, and Carrion are highlights. The album cover is the only obvious thing bringing this album down (a blurry brightness filter on a poorly cropped selfie isn't ideal).
Nice
Certified bangers
Lyrical genius. It’s feminism, anger, self-radicalization.
When your eyes gaze upon the piercing light blue, somewhat turquoise eyes of Fiona Apple's, it feels as though you've been sucked down a vortex. For her debut album Tidal is a steamroll avalanche of rage, contemplation, aimlessness and introspection. This is the kind of album that you must listen to all the way; if one dares to skip a track, it is tantamount to breaching a sacred code. Coming across the remainder of Fiona's discography, it becomes apparent that not only does she take her time with her craft but she enforces that her efforts have meaning; a bridge to cross in the path of discovery. Tidal was the first step taken in that beguiling, often rewarding path.
I've checked out a few of Fiona's albums before and never been much moved, but this was fantastic right off the bat. Much more punchy than her other stuff. A very impressive debut. Favorite tracks: Sleep to Dream / Pale September
Loved it! Beautiful album. Apple croons like a lounge singer. She has a beautiful haunting voice and her songs are just beautiful. Theee if these (Sleep to Dream, Shadowboxer and Criminal) were favorites from my college days. I enjoyed all but one song on the rest of the album. Apple fell off my radar after this album, and happy to see she kept making albums and even won more Grammys. I will be checking out her other work.
Fiona Apple is my favorite American singer-songwriter. I met her with the theme from the TV series The Affair. The rhythm of her arrangements, the intimate lyrics sung by his warm yet powerful and sensual voice made me immediately fell in love with her.
Not the best Fiona album, but they're all good. 5/5
A slay and a serve. Indescribable voice and lyricism. Truly one of the greats.
Clearly iconic. Every track will live rent free in your brain for eternity.
Always enjoy Fiona Apple. Would listen again.
Good
I could listen to Fiona Apple any day, you don't need to tell me to do it. Hard to believe she's less than a year older than me, in 1996 I was still young & dumb yet she sounds wiser beyond the ages we are now some 27 years later.
Throwback to my angsty teenage years
Seeing those eyes after rating another mediocre album filled me with an adrenaline shot of joy. Teenage me grabbed her second (and better but not on this list) album, then devoured this one too. One of the few albums I can say I was too young to fully appreciate. Only one track is anything less than perfect: The First Taste (and that's because it fell into some weird 90s R&B hole). Not ashamed to say I screamed along to Shadowboxer and Criminal in my car. And that closer - Carrion. MY FEEL FOR YOU BOY. So much soul in that delivery. This album shaped me and my taste in music. Easiest 5 I've handed out so far.
Perfection
I don’t think I’ll ever be objective about her music. I felt the songs best when I felt isolated and moody, but I don’t want to put them into a china cabinet and only bring them out for those special occasions. The songs make me reflective, not necessarily in a melancholic way. It made me want to push everyone away but also hold them closer.
Lovely, it kept distracting me from what I was doing.
Sexy and a little psycho
One of my favorites! Not a bad song on this album. Perfection!
Fiona Apple's music spell-binds me. I love listening to her dissect each word, stretch each vowel, crunch each consonant. There's an unmatched artistry in her voice. On this album though, the backing plays backing, as opposed to leaving space for her voice to truly shine. The effect leaves Fiona Apple washed out, as on the album cover. But who am I kidding? It's still magic.
I missed out on this album when it first came out and REALLY wish I hadn’t.
This is one of my absolute favorite albums! Not a bad song on it!
Great pop album, like seriously.
16 year old me loved this album. 40 year old me wishes 16 year old me had listened more closely, and still loves this album. Keep fighting, Fiona!
Full is not heavy as empty Not nearly I've had three big bites of the Fiona Apple. This was the first and longest chew. I discovered Tidal early on and marveled at the vocals. I love a deep female vocal and oh my days can Fiona run deep. The story about writing Criminal in 30 minutes or whatever it was just to show the record company she was the business is a rockstar gem. I appreciate this fledgling release for what it is. Brilliant. I came back to this fine artist when discovering Extraordinary Machine and fell in love with the tongue flipping lyrics. It is an equally amazing album. Our most recent interlude was for Fetch the Bolt Cutters, which was a ball tearing emotional tirade that gave me armour against the world when I needed it the most. Fiona Apple, I love you for what you've shared with me, for what you've given the world.
I cannot believe she wrote this at 17-18, absolutely insane. Gripping songs you still see the influence of in so many songwriters and performers today. Shadowboxer, Criminal, Slow Like Honey, The First Time, Carrion, all these songs made my jaw drop
Amazing album. The singles are fantastic and there are some surprises in First Taste and others.
I love fiona apple. 5 easy ,maybe 4 if i don't jive. this has to be a 5 because I just listened to it 2x through.
Solid, wish I was into it when it came out
A classic never dies. Loved it then love it now.
Fiona Apple’s debut album is a fully formed feminist pop masterpiece. She skillfully took on the entertainment industry at large and had the musics chops to back it up. Here lyrics are resolute, vulnerable, and occasionally heartbreaking. Her background in jazz and classical music gives her the technical proficiency to pull off an emotional tour de force.
приятный сюпрприз от стриминга
Here’s one I’m familiar enough with to rate, but I’ll listen to it again anyway. Because it’s great. The record’s current is turbulent with vigorous emotions that pull you every which way. There’s a sultry sad rage to it, and it’s a tremendous album from such a young voice. 9/10
Incredible album, with so much heart in it. I've read that some of the songs were written when she was 16 but you'd never be able to guess which ones because the subject matter and writing on every song is from such a mature place. This may have come out in 1996 but it sounds timeless. Apple doesn't have the greatest voice but it's unique and every word sounds like it is dripping in emotion and depth. Favorite Songs: Criminal, Sleep To Dream, Shadowboxer Least Favorite Songs:
This is such a great album, I didn't know this existed and the fact this is a debut album is more impressive. At points it sounds like some really premium lounge music. Other times it's got very cliche but enjoyable lyrics. Highlight for me would be Criminal. Excited to hear more from Fiona.
9 i love fiona apple
LOCURA 9/10
Her words still say things I couldn’t say. Amazing.
I don't know the story behind Fiona Apple, but I'm definitely disappointed that she didn't make more music. Criminal and Shadowboxer were obviously huge successes, but the rest of the songs on this album are equally impressive. Her voice is iconic (in my opinion), and I dig the whole vibe. It's sexy. Like an old jazz lounge singer, but with all the teen angst of the 90s. Every time I hear her, I'm reminded of the old jazz classic "Fever" - and I think almost everything on this album measures up to that. It's so good.
Really enjoyed this. Very vibey, evening album, moody loved it.
‘Sullen Girl’ and ‘Criminal’ are two truly excellent songs that I was already familiar with. This was my first time listening to the album in its entirety, there’s not a bad track in there, and it’s unbelievable how young she was when she made this. Best tracks: Sullen Girl, Criminal, The Child Is Gone, Never Is A Promise
Tidal Songwriting ,singing, arranging and production all are so unique. What an amazing artist and great album
I love her. I love when music can manage to find a balance between being weird and being catchy/listenable and she is a master of that.
She's so cool. I love how she uses her voice. Never is a Promise is my fave.
This album is incredibly sexy and soulful. I remember when it released and I couldn't get enough of Criminal, but being a grunge kid, didn't really want to give any time to the rest of the album. I'm glad I've heard it now. It's so good and her vocals are amazing.
Love this.
10. It’s a 10.
This is an absolute staple of the 90s. Awesome album.
I don’t know if I can explain why I like this album so much, but I do. 4.5
One of my favorites!
This is just a fantastic album. Apple is such an incredible lyricist it's hard to believe this was her debut. "Slow Like Honey" is the only one that didn't do much for me, otherwise every song is incredible.
Love Fiona
Fiona is not quite my music; I think if I listened to her 15 years ago, I would have loved her! Especially with my Emotions™ as a teen and stuff, but it is good, just not for me right now. "Shadowboxer" is good, though not quite my style, "Criminal" is familiar and iconic. I really like "The First Taste" actually! "Carrion" is also good, and also would work well as a song to scream-sing.
Love it. So 90s.
This will always be a 5
Practically have this album memorized. 9 fantastic songs on a 10-track album. The composition, lyrics, diction are all off the charts and she was 18/19 when she recorded it. Blows my mind.
well, that's a 5
Sleep to Dream - 8/10 Sullen Girl - 8/10 Shadowboxer - 8/10 Criminal - 10/10 a song over 3 minutes that's gets me going, I love how she blames herself, she's so slay Slow Like Honey - so ahead of the curve that it became a sphere The First Taste - icon/10 Never Is A Promise - I'm loving the title The Child Is Gone - loss of innocence archetype, come on GCSE English Pale September - mhm mother 9/10 Carrion - 10/10 Beautiful melodies and the playing is fragile yet complex. My teenage years have been solidified by this wonderful masterpiece. Debut album slaying bitches before she could even legally drink, that's a fucking legacy. No one should ever talk to me about women's pain and review such poignant and pot-stirring lyricism, y'all are not seeing Fiona ANYWHERE! Tori Amos niece 10/10 debut and this is not even her best album, talk about growth and talent. I LOVE YOUUU
Favorite song: "Criminal"
I went down a huge Fiona Apple spiral this morning, thanks to this album. She is AMAZING. I think Never Is A Promise alone, if that was just the album, should win an award. To think that she was, what, 15 when she wrote these songs?? This is about as good a debut album as you can possibly ask for. It's inventive, it's interesting, it's complex, it's got such a mood. It captures a feeling and then challenges it. I'm in love. Coming back to this album, I hear a little bit of Rickie Lee Jones in her delivery now that I didn't hear before. She doesn't hold it back. I mean what more can you ask for from a singer-songwriter. Ask for more from Fiona Apple at your peril, she's already given so much. 5/5
Love this album
Masterful. So smooth, so jazzy, so soulful. That was great.
xd
One of my favourites!
love her voice
If I'm being honest, my first exposure to this album was the Criminal music video when I was a teenager. I didn't hear the full album until I was an adult and I definitely think it would have been lost on me in my younger years. This is a fantastic album and the performances are very strong. Criminal does seem a little out of place compared to the rest of the album, and it's particularly noticeable coming after Shadowboxer, which might be my favorite Fiona track. An album I'm really glad I've gotten into as it is definitely one that rewards repeat listens and is a classic.
In Tidal I hear the sound of someone who is forced into maturity and into seeing the darkness that can exist, and still being able to claim their place and power in that world. 5/5
Love Fiona! 5/5
favs: Sullen Girl, Pale September, Shadowboxer, Criminal least fav: Never Is a Promise
One of my top albums of all time. Glad to see it on this list. My wife would argue that my love of Fiona Apple's "Tidal" is a large part of why I married her. Hauntingly beautiful (I think that's the phrase you use to describe Fiona Apple), sexy, and moody all spring to my mind, too, when I need to describe this collection of songs. The amount of effort that goes into the composition is astounding. I guess that's why she's only released a few albums in the 20+ years she's been gracing us with music.
ok bardzo fajny album
I really enjoyed this album, something about the brash and uncompromising sound
Outstanding
Excellent, love Fiona Apple
Good vibes for chores and addressing Xmas cards, oddly
omg a 10000000000000/10 if there ever was one
Heaven help me for the way I am Save me from these evil deeds before I get them done I know tomorrow brings the consequence at hand But I keep living this day like the next will never come 5/5
Her voice and emotion and words. The fierceness and honesty. Love Fiona. Great album.
love
Rounding up to 5 stars because it's hard to believe that Fiona Apple was only 18 years old when this was released. The vocals, lyrics and music are hypnotic.
Gotta admit, I never gave Fiona Apple the time of day because I thought she was a whiny poser (the full title of When the Pawn... didn't help). From the moment the album started, though, it was clear this is a pretty amazing album that I should have given a chance long ago. More importantly, reading about her life (on the most authoritative source: Wikipedia), I never realized the struggles she's gone through (I won't summarize them here). She also has done a lot of great charity work. It's all a good reminder not to pre-judge anyone. The 1001 albums continue to help break through my biases and preconceptions. Now that I'm listening to her with fresh and open ears, it's clear why this was such a breakthrough album. So, how to describe the album? Jazzy, sultry, edgy, deep. Her voice is captivating - as in it holds you captive and doesn't let go. There's anger in her voice and knowledge. How the hell was she 17 when she wrote most of this? Also, the instrumentation and production is outstanding (looks like credit to Jon Brion, who has worked with a ton of great acts). I'm regretting dismissing her and will definitely dig in to her catalog. Best tracks: Sleep to Dream, Criminal (what a song, and those lyrics pack a punch - I also noted that it sounded like there was a mellotron on Criminal, but turns out it's a "Chamberlin" which was a precursor to the Mellotron - look it up, it's pretty interesting), Sullen Girl (powerful song and lyrics), The First Taste (nice groove), and Carrion (really like the outro).
What a wonderful album.
Listened to this on my 2017 double LP 45 RPM 180 gram pressing. Such an amazing album it shocks me it was written and performed by a teenager. The vinyl really warms the vibraphone tones and her alto voice really suits the frequency range of vinyl. Do yourself a favor and find this record on vinyl and listen with open back headphones. It will change your life. What a record and what an artist. Easy 5/5.
It’s wild that an album this good is a debut from a teenager. I hadn’t actually listened to the whole thing in a row before today so this project is already paying off.
Fantastic fantastic fantastic!
Another one of my faves, and another that I'm lucky enough to have on vinyl. I think it was only pressed once, since it was released in the vinyl dark days of the 90s. The songwriting, performance and production are all perfect on this album. It almost sounds like she's in the room with you. I don't enjoy this one as much as her two later albums with ridiculously long titles. But it's still a solid 9/10 for me.
Great vocals mixed with a great mixing track. Side A has a lot of energy and variety. It gets a little slow towards the end of the album, but the instruments perform CPR to keep it alive to the end.
awesome voice; record holds up very well
Amazing singer and songwriter. Forgot how good this album is.
Fuck yeah Fioana Apple. Love her and love this album.
Very good songs, good beat. Like Tori worked with a blues writer.
didn’t totally finish but will go back to this one. it’s been saved.
queen
Fiona Apple good
This is one of my all-time favourite albums. I am still stunned by the maturity of Fiona Apple's songwriting. She wrote these songs when she was in high school. I was also writing songs in high school. Suffice it to say that they were not like this. When this record came out I listened to it in secret, partly because it was mainstream and popular which I didn't think was cool, but mostly because I was so jealous of her. I didn't understand how this girl (who was my age!) was writing lyrics like "You'll never touch these things that I hold/The skin of my emotions lies beneath my own/You'll never feel the heat of this soul/My fever burns me deeper than I've ever shown/To you" when my lyrics were more like "I'm so alone, no one will ever understand me, I'll write it in a poem, very very sadly". It's been 25 years since this record came out and I still kind of want to be Fiona Apple.
The power at which this album hit me when I first heard it, and again while I listened to it entirely through multiple times. This woman is unparalleled in her lyrics, her voice and range, and rhythms. Just stunningly beautiful.
YES SLAY FIONA I LOVE YOU LET'S GO TIME FOR MY FIONA ERA
Pretty good.
This is a 5-star for me. A little bit of that is sentimental, but I admire the shit out of her songwriting. She's one of those songwriters who goes wherever she wants with a song and never loses me. I remember hearing her first few singles on the radio and feeling like they were lightyears beyond what was getting a lot of play.
Holy cats, she wrote these songs when she was 17?!
I have to be honest, the album didn't start to capture me until 'Criminal.' It was that song which made me start to appreciate Fiona Apple's voice and lyrics. I'd listened to 'Fetch the Bolt Cutters' once before and didn't really feel much, but this album felt like it had more passion and zest behind it. 'Slow Like Honey' showcased a broader range which I appreciated. 'The First Taste' is mystic and... man I'm starting to feel like I'm listening to a masterpiece honestly. She has such a quiet way with words that shines through on a full listen. I wasn't impressed to start, but Apple not only won me over but completely wowed me by the end.
Excellent album. Sultry and melodic. I think I actually own this CD, stored deep in the archives. Would listen again.
Beautiful example of an alto voice in early pop. Incredible vocals.
é inacreditável que esse álbum tenha sido gravado quando a fiona tinha só 19 anos! confesso que nunca parei para prestar atenção nas letras, mas ela carrega tanta emoção na sua voz, uma energia, uma raiva na interpretação, em meio a arranjos tão bem trabalhados que uau. é uma das maiores cantoras em atividade, sem dúvida.
LOVE
What a debut. Such mature singer songwriting from someone so young, powerful voice, powerful mood. It’s really very good indeed.
One of my all time faves. I love Fiona. We were approximately the same age when this album came out. I was a senior in high school. I had always loved music, but I had never related to an album as much as I did this one. I haven't listened in years (other than occasionally catching Criminal on the radio) and I remembered every word. Masterpiece.
4.5/5. Very good and nice and lush and chill
YESSSSS. For both objective and personally subjective reasons, this is easily a 5 star album for me. She is so raw, and in your face, and unafraid to be "imperfect" with her sound, but it all somehow sounds beautiful just the same. "Criminal" was obviously a cornerstone in my early development of musical taste way back in middle school, and this whole album has been revisited several times since then, most recently two weeks ago! Love her, and love her art. Forever a fangirl! <3
Pros: - It's so good. - Her sound checks so many boxes of what I would like for an artist. It's approachable, it has great hooks that are not only catchy but unique, it is confident, it's exploratory, it's memorable. - Her lyrics are so incredible and unique and have a quality that makes them sit in your head long after the song is over. - Amazing for a debut album. It sounds like someone who has been working on their sound for years and years! Cons: Misc:
Love it. Love her.
Absolutely 10/10 for me I remember being 17 and obsessing over Fiona's vocals in Shadowboxer and Criminal, and then in lockdown I came back to this album after years. Not to be dramatic but Sleep to Dream felt like a mantra to me when I was stuck at home trying to plan out my next steps and keep my head above water
I would listen to Fiona Apple’s answering machine and still fully believe that it is High Art. She is just so phenomenal. This isn’t my favourite album of hers however, it is SO GOOD.
talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before
A fantastic album, from a wonderful artist.
Fiona feels like a rawer and rougher Norah Jones, and I absolutely adore that.
Such a beautiful voice
I loved this album for a long time. From the opening drum beat to the last pluck of the hard, this is mellow and subdued and lovely.
i'm literally listening to her right now LMAO and i love tidal ofc
Every song is great. 4.5* therefore 5*.
Really good album. I can’t believe she has such a vocal range at that age, but she was excellent. The music was really well crafted too. Just a great album.
20/10
9/10
2022.01.05
This album is unbelievably brilliant. It's mature and soulful and witty and snarky and just really, really impressive. And... yeah, what's that, Kate? She was 19 when she made this!? I just don't know what to even compare that to. I'm more used to 18-19 year olds singing someone else's lyrics in the poppiest most button-pushing way possible. How was Britney Spears' debut just 2 1/2 years after this? The only thing I can think of that comes anywhere close to what Fiona Apple pulled off would be maybe Lorde, who was a couple years younger when "Pure Heroine" came out, but while it was impressive and refreshing it is nowhere near the level of "Tidal." If you're not blown away by Fiona Apple, you might not like music.
I first heard this album live when she played the Capital Ballroom in Washington, DC. The album had barely been released and Shadowboxer was just starting to get some airplay on the alt-station here. I instantly fell in love with her sound - the growling, alto voice that can soften achingly on a dime, the almost classically-based piano creating the bedrock of the songs, the bass-heavy riffs and lush instrumentations that fill in the gaps. A 19-year-old writing so clearly, so confidently, so movingly about her experiences - some so horrific that might rather forever silence a young woman - elevates the music to another level. Many laud the musical experimentation with which Apple pushed the envelope in her later albums, but this one is stronger to me for being more traditional. There is a counter-point between the sound, reminiscent of adult contemporary artists, and the poeticized angst of her painful youth - and that brings her message and music home with more feeling, more resonance. This album only gets better with repeated listenings, deeper as more time passes. A masterpiece of a debut.
I think I knew at the time (but I had since forgotten) that Fiona Apple was still a teenager when Tidal came out but this album has never sounded like a teenager wrote it. It is emotional, raw, and definitely more musically complex than the standard radio fare of the mid to late 90s. To teenage me, these songs were permission from an older, wiser, much cooler girl to be whatever I wanted to be, whether that was sultry, angry whatever. It's a message I still need to revisit sometimes and this album will forever be in rotation for me.
JA!! ÄLSKLINGEN NU DU
soncially cohesive, even on tracks like slow like honey and never is a promise, where it seems to diverge from the usual 'sleazy' like guitar sounds, it makes its way back from the jazzy piano tunes. I still think the songs with the sleazy guitar sounds with fionas aggressive tone are standouts
Fiona Apple will always gets 5 stars from me. She is one of the most authentic, human, and original artists that I know of. She puts herself out there in a way that can make her vulnerable and I think it's really brave. That she consistently manages to make that vulnerability sound so beautiful and powerful is nothing short of amazing. She is one of those rare artists who I view as having a nearly flawless discography because she only makes an album when she truly has something meaningful to express.
Excellent album. Beautiful vocals and songwriting, great consistency,
A soaring debut!!!!
Había escuchado muy poco de ella, despues de este disco FAN! Todo muy bien, gracias 100001 discos por obligarme a escucharla
Loved it then, loved it now.
I was excited when I got assigned this album as Apple's reputation was high and was not disappointed. A great album for chill vibes, for house duties and walking. Listened to Criminal several times today which says enough for the 5 star rating.
This album is so fucking good. Fiona Apples vocals are unbelievable, she has different delivery on each track its Super impressive. Add in some really good song writing and instrumentation and you really got something special. God the jazz influences on slow like honey are just so good. Incredible.
Wow. One of the most immaculately produced albums I’ve ever heard. Everything is powerful, dark, and sexy. The singing and playing are all too-notch, and lyrically each song has a little bit of fierceness and a lot of mood.
9/10. Was stuck between a 9 and an 8 on this one, but I am feeling generous today, and if something stands out to me as good while I am working, that's a good sign. Shadowboxing was a good track, and I remember liking Sullen Girl as well, but I wasn't paying as much attention to what track I was listening to later on, but everything was pretty solid.
still know all the lyrics. Love her
One of the most influential albums from my youth
Loved it
hell yea fiona apple kicks ass! great debut album. Criminal is awesome. just a banger. The First Taste is also a good one
My favorite album from a female artist yet, makes me feel like crap that an album of this quality was made BY AN 18 YEAR OLD
Really cool album, some very interesting songs and the blend of that kind of typical 90s female alternative with a more jazz based piano sound is just very unique and well done.
beautiful vocals and instrumentals. nodded my head to almost every song
4/5 Favorite Song: Sleep To Dream
Really good. I was pretty unfamiliar. There's some really interesting songwriting here. Some fantastic phrasing. There's a little bit of 90s inflection, kind of Jeff Buckleyish in parts. Doesn't feel dated or suffer from it especially though
Fiona Apple is one of those artists that has one sound and then just makes a bunch of slight variations of off that one sound. Don't get me wrong, it's a good sound - and she definitely deserves her laurels. But she has yet to perfect it in this album. So 4.5 stars, rounded down.
The type of album the critics love and you see the appeal, but can't get any emotional attachment to.
Pretty fun and jammy
What a debut. She just doesn't miss.
i feel as though this album is what the genre alternative was created for. apple took her classically trained roots and created a jazz record with whiny angsty 90s girl boss lyrics over top of it. it’s literally an alternate version of a jazz record. in a world where we’re so used to alternative meaning some vague rock indie poser mashup, i found this refreshing and interesting. while this album does feel juvenile in parts, i’m shocked at how it has a very clear sense of self. she was a true prodigy, who makes this kinda stuff as a teenage girl????? (ok michael also olivia i know) overall this is a very cool and interesting record and I understand why it was so influential and continues to be. also i think she was pretty bad ass for standing up to a guy like Howard Stern when she was only 19
сильний і водночас ніжний голос я певно нігде так за текстом не дивилась оо крімінал моя темна ванесса you'll be remembered година минула як 5 хвилин
Nice album. Beautiful voice and great arrangements. High 3’s low 4’s
Honestly a pretty solid listen. Great vocals and just enough variation in the instrumentals to keep it interesting. Also produced in a way that just feels warm/calming to listen to. The middle of the album is definitely the best but overall nothing on here that's bad. All decent to good.
a little one-note, but damn that does it sound abs gorgeous and soo infectious! L8.
I fluctuated between 3 and 4. I’m going to go with 4.
заслушал fetch the bolt cutters до дыр, к остальному творчеству такой любви не испытываю, но все равно приятно - 4
what a debut
I have to give this a proper re-listen, but I do love how elusive and unconventional the song structures here are, even when she's in a far more traditional pop mode. What initially sounds like a standard 90s tune breaks down once you listen closely. And the fact that she was NINETEEN when this came out just elevates it even further.
This is a perfect 90's album. I did not follow her closely but was a fan of the singles from this album. The first half is near flawless. The second half i pretty good, not my favorite. Biggest Hit - Criminal Biggest Miss (if I had to choose) - Pale September Hidden Gem - Sleep To Dream
"Tidal" is a fine album, and Fiona Apple is an artist whose work I admire immensely. Whilst I often think of her as eccentric, that label does not quite do her justice. What I really mean is that her music is defined by unconventional song structures, highly literate, intricate lyrics, and an unpredictable vocal phrasing that can jump from a delicate whisper to a guttural growl within seconds. Musically, she often rejects standard pop formulas in favour of strange rhythms, percussive experiments, and unusual instruments. "Tidal" is Apple's debut, and within her broader body of work, it is easily her most straightforward album - yet the seeds of all those distinct characteristics are already fully present here. It is music like this that often makes me think I will enjoy jazz; in my mind, this is exactly what the genre sounds like. However, working through the 1001 Albums list has largely taught me that jazz as a whole is not for me. Instead, what I actually respond to is vocal jazz and traditional pop tunes from the 1940s and 50s. Fiona Apple sits firmly within that lineage, drawing beautifully on that specific atmosphere. Four stars. 1 "Sleep to Dream" (4/5) 2 "Sullen Girl" (4/5) 3 "Shadowboxer" (5/5) 4 "Criminal" (5/5) 5 "Slow Like Honey" (4/5) 6 "The First Taste" (4/5) 7 "Never Is a Promise" (4/5) 8 "The Child Is Gone" (4/5) 9 "Pale September" (4/5) 10 "Carrion" (4/5) Total - 42 Average - 4.2 359/1001 191/359 albums reviewed were new to me.