Tidal

This was a throwback to my 90's CD collection. It's aged really well---feels like it could've been released yesterday. Would I listen to again? Definitely.

Yea I like this one. Id heard it before but not a lot. I’d listen again.

Amazing debut album. Criminal is such a great song. The others are good too, even if I don’t like this album as much as her others.

Opening tone and ending tone of this album are distinctly different, was not enjoying the vocals at the beginning loved them by the end

Really good, almost a 5.

Yesterday I got Joni Mitchell’s Court and Spark, and after the album ended Spotify played “Shadowboxer”. I guess Spotify and 1001AG had the same idea as I’m being “forced” to listen to this album today. So let’s pretend like I didn’t listen to it yesterday (or several times a few weeks ago) and talk about it. In her own words, Apple says this album "was more for the sake of proving myself; telling people from my past something. And to also try to get friends for the future." Which are things she doesn't seem to concern herself with in later records. You can hear her trying a little too hard in some parts, but I know enough about the late 90s record industry to guess that likely wasn't all her fault. The machine needed things that sounded like Alanis Morrisette's juggernaut album, Jagged Little Pill (1995), so there's no way this record was shipping without a few songs that leaned more alt-rock madgirl than jazz-pop sadgirl. To satisfy the former we get "Shadowboxer" and "Criminal", and those are followed by "Slow Like Honey" and "The First Taste" which are prime examples of the latter. If you only have twenty minutes for this record, those four tracks are #3-6. [insert several winking emojis]

The album suffered for listening to it after catching up with the previous day's album, and I'm factoring that in here because I was leaning more to a three than a four on first listen. On my first listen I was disappointed that none of the songs hit as hard as Criminal. (I still sort of feel that way.) The second listen made me realize that Criminal was the star of the show in visible, obvious ways but there were parts of other songs that hit me just as hard in subtler ways. added to collection

Fiona Apple's Spotify bio says "Her roots lay in jazz, show tunes, and classic '70s singer/songwriters" and well, this is where you certainly hear that the most!

Trip down memory lane, and throw back to when I was in Montana! "Criminal" is the standout for many reasons but other notable mentions include The album is very much of its time and I feel she improved with subsequent albums.

even in hs, I thought this album has really high highs and then some parts I really struggle to get through the song.

You could tell me that Fiona Apple was a singer in a seedy 1930’s nightclub, with a voice like cigarettes, or a contemporary of Adele, and either way I’d believe you. Coupled with instrumentation you don’t hear much anymore, this was a great album

Enjoyed it.

Favorite song is the first taste. Very weird album, genre wise.

I have been meaning to listen to Fiona Apple for quite a while, so it's good this popped up. Requires a specific mood, but I like her mix of melancholy and rage.

Why did she stop doing this and start doing the bolt cutters bullshit

Al inicio un poco lento, como todo álbum, se tiene que disfrutar en calma y con la mente fría para enfocar atención en las letras, así como los ritmos. Fuera de todo, un buen álbum.

This is a good one Fiona 4/5

I’m a fan of Fiona Apple. This album has her vocal style, themes and aesthetic represented with the vocal jazz-inflected pop, torch singing, etc. I think she has two better albums - When the Pawn… and Idler Wheel - and that’s probably why I’m having trouble adding another star because I’m unlikely to spend a ton of time with this one despite a fair amount of really good songs like Shadowboxer, Criminal, Pale September and Carrion.

This is great! Reminds me of Tori Amos.

Love my Fiona and this is a killer debut (the poetry!!), but it’s not something I revisit in full frequently the way I do her other records. Rating this as a standalone even though my bias wants to give it a 5

Actually pretty surprised by this one. Never knew much aside from a few hits. Beautiful voice and she’s got some soul.

Another one I own on vinyl. Still a great album - I can't believe she was *19*. So raw and powerful.

Surprised how much I liked this.

Great voice and some great songs

Never heard of this artist and was pleasantly surprised , a very nice blend of soft female vocals and some very quirky songs which is enjoyed a lot . As the album progressed I engaged with it more and more and will as a result listen to more of her content

Pretty good

I had previously heard of Fiona Apple but was not really familiar with her music. From this album, I recognized Criminal. While Criminal is definitely the strongest track from this album, the rest of the album is good as well. She has a nice voice, and the songs on here suit her well. I enjoyed this and would listen again.

Amazing album, it requires careful listening to get the lyrics, it's a statement and it makes itself known by the songs. Always recommended this one.

I enjoyed the jazz influence and the deeper voice. I enjoy the darker lyrics though, knowing that they come from real trauma is sad.

An excellent addition to the woman confessional album. Great tunes. 4/5

I've actually listened to a good amount of later Fiona Apple and I think that's working against this album a little. If I'd heard this first I think it might be a 5! Also the second half of this worked a lot better than the first for me - I think I needed some time to sink into it. This feels like an album I have to be in the appropriate mood for. Criminal is still one of the greatest songs ever written though. It's crazy that they released two singles from this album before that, it's clearly the one. Is it good? For sure Do I like it? Yes Is it essential? Yes Would I purchase it? Maybe Will I ever listen to it again? Definitely! I think this is gonna be better on a relisten 3/1089

The album started off sounding like 5 to me: incredibly modern right off the bat, and taking into account Apple was only 18 when this came out, already makes this pretty incredible. But the second half of the album is noticeably weaker. There are some great songs, Fiona Apple is obviously a very talented musician who knows how to channel her emotions to effective musical output, and I love her voice, but I feel this album is stretched a bit with a few songs that should've been cut.

i listened to it for the first time and i think i like it. I've heard "criminal" before, thats a good one. I really love jazz music so obviously i like this album for that, and i like that songs are not the same, i definitely should listen to it one more time, now i think thats 9/10

day 19: one of my favourite voices in music i love ms apple. i adore when the pawn and bolt cutters, and this is real close to those in quality. never has she been as ANGRY as on this one, but it comes as a gentle catharsis and a necessary evil. the music is super varied, drawing from jazz and soft rock like all of her albums, but also touching on dreampop, reggae and classical. as expected the melodies are the highlight. the hits are hits and everything else sounds great too. especially a nice touch on many of the songs finishing with 2+ min instrumentals, fantastic atmosphere.

Loved this album

Fiona Apple is a great artist and this is an amazingly composed debut album. It is so easy to listen to and she invokes each song with such character it maintains your attention throughout

I only knew Criminal from this record, which I do like a lot, and we'd previously been given Fetch The Bolt Cutters by the generator, which I gave a 3 but really thought was a 3.5. I really love her voice, but on top of that I think the instrumentation is also really interesting and beautiful in places. This sounds incredibly accomplished for a debut album (later reading that in 2022 Rolling Stone put it at number 25 on the top 100 debut albums of all time, wasn't a surprise... and made me want to check the list to see what albums didn't make it onto the generator). On the more negative side, which is very much a personal preference for sub 5 minute songs (ideally sub 4 minutes), the tracks are often a little too long. It might be a little too samey in the middle section too. Overall though, I really liked this. And slightly more than Fetch The Bolt Cutters, so 4/5

Somehow had never given any of Fiona Apple's albums a proper listen. Really loved this. Great songwriting and her voice is just stunning.

Classy sadness is the best way to describe this album. The songs are jazz or soiree in nature and invoke a sadness but feel somewhat fancy while doing it

Very soulful. Not something I would have listened to normally but I definitely appreciate the talent.

I’m going to try to ignore the fact that the music video for “criminal” awakened some new feelings for teenage me. Fiona Apple is so cool, the epic sound, the attitude. All of it. Imagine being her parent when she started writing these songs at 8 years old. Mind blowing.

Damn good voice, great sound, lyrics a little dark but no doubt a reflection of her age and upbringing. Solid all around and a pleasant change for this list.

What a great album, i loved the angsty alt sound that this album had. Can't believe Fiona Apple is not in the conversation more, especially with her songwriting skills. Will definitely be listening to her more

More balanced album. Still has her anger mixed with some good lyrics.

This album has some really soulful tunes. Fiona does a good job vocally controlling the pain and anger her lyrics express. Some of the beats and bass lines hit sad and sinister. I wouldn’t look to this album on a sunny day but in the right headspace she can cater to powerful emotion.

Great debut. She has only improved since this, but this is her assessable and a good introduction.

This smth new, m8xed genres

I think this is a very good album overall. It may just be overexposure, but I really cannot stand Criminal.

Album like this reminds me that not all pop music is bad. Songwriting is good and so is Fiona's voice. A bit too long, but doesn't get worse near the end, actually liked Carrion more than the other songs on the album

Fiona has her own signature vibe. The 90s angst at the piano is well-earned and lyrics match. Probably her most famous tracks on this album and I found myself stopping to mull lyrics a a few times. Great album to finish a drive home.

Still really enjoy this album and have it iny library. Ilit isn't too to bottom bangers but I can easily listen to this while album and not skip a song. Cover 4/5 it's good and simple.

The mood of this was perfect for the vibe of the day I listened. I truly like nearly everything about this album from the piano and the lyrics, to the structure of each song melodically. The only downside is this isn’t an album I can listen to at anytime or any day, I have to be in the mood for the moodiness.

A soulful, loungy album with amazing vocals, passionate lyrics, and moody arrangements. It loses steam in the back half but an incredible debut album. Too bad the industry ran her off and we didn't get to see her mature. Cover is also a 4/5, basic but well matched to the album itself.

Wow - I had never listened to Fiona Apple apart from a few hits and cover songs. Big mistake - I love this. Her voice is incredible

Good one. She's got some range. There are a variety of styles here, and I was just expecting more like "Criminal". I LOVED "Slow Like Honey". My rating: 4/5

Красиво круто! Во второй половине правда загрустила что-то, медленные меланхоличные песни пошли, а начала то прям бодро злобно ух

This album is really surprising. I loved how subtle yet beautiful and wonderful it feels. This album is so well done, with so much softness and care. It is, definitely, such a pleasant and interesting listening. Some songs, however, feel less powerful as they don't contribute sonically much to the album, feeling a bit bland. But the overall is splendid. So, even if I don't care about some songs, I can't deny this album is actually good.

Amazing for a 19y old

Listening to the whole album helps me appreciate her soulfulness and creativity as a songwriter beyond the radio hits. This is something I could have gotten really into in college had I encountered it.

Studio executives seemed to not be able to see past her sexual appeal in 1996 (her video for "Criminal" caused my parents to call and have MTV blocked from our cable subscription.) Her experience over that first year of skyrocketed fame is gnarly and heartbreaking, and I'm so grateful that it didn't break her because she has certainly become my favorite female artist of all time. There are artists with a half dozen albums on this list that I reactively raise a stink about, but if all five of Fiona Apple's extraordinary albums were represented on this list, I would stamp it with my full approval. Sadly, only two are, and since each successive album after Tidal got more daring, more sharp, and more gorgeous, I find myself wanting to review Tidal as a stand-in, especially "When the Pawn Hits…" and "The Idler Wheel…." Sticking only to Tidal, so much of what makes her special is already here, some of it fully formed: her deep, soulful voice filled with lived pain; her deeply emotional piano; her ear for lush arrangements and propulsive percussion. There's a urgency to her music and her lyrics that demand attention. She’s an absolute fireball. The front half of Tidal is stronger than the back half, carried by her breakthrough singles, though its the closing track, "Carrion," that most points to what’s ahead: moments that raise the hair on my arms (about a minute in here) evolving into a cacophonous symphony that evokes John, Paul, and George at the end of Abbey Road by way of Patti Smith. If you like anything on this one and haven't spent time with her full catalog, you are in for a hell of a treat. That lull in the back half here knocks a star off. Do I add it back on as a sort of protest star at the absence of three of the next four albums? That's not usually how I approach my thinking through these ratings, but Fiona makes me do strange things.

Haven’t given Fiona a real listen before but this is a well made album. She’s angry and has a lot to say. Can’t believe she made this at 18ish? So much depth to the composition and her beautiful voice. I quite liked this album. Maybe I also needed it today? Is it strange to compare her to Amy winehouse?

really really really good. 4.5

8/10

Tää oli kiva! Hyvää groovea, taitavaa laulamista ja hienoja biisejä ylipäätään!

Alt rock of the 90s? I'm in!

Vibe

Wasn't expecting to like this after bouncing off "Fetch the Bolt Cutters" hard, but I really enjoyed this!

She never quite got there again but this album holds up.

Schön zu hörende Songs, angenehme Stimme. 4/5

This album is so moody and angry. I initially was a little biased against it because I tend to like music I can dance and bob my head to, but I understand why Fiona has been part of the conversation for decades.

Haven't listened to it in years but it holds up.

I loved this album! I’ve tried to give Fiona Apple a shot in the past and her music never quite managed to draw me in. This listen through of Tidal hit just right though. Her voice is incredible, the lyricism is fantastic, and I love the weird blend of influences and sounds which includes everything from jazz to grunge to show tunes. This is an album I’ll be returning to pretty frequently!

I get the hype

i like fiona apple a lot! have never listened to this album in its entirety, but had a couple songs saved. largely liked it! and the succeeding album's mix afterwards.

No private session used for Spotify. I like Fiona's work a lot, mellow, lots of a piano and then there is her low sultry voice..let's just say it works for me and leave it that.

Hard to believe she was only 19 making this album. Pretty good sounds and themes.

Cool!

a very intriguing and engaging pop fusion album. heard a lot about fiona apple so was excited to finally listen to her stuff. was very pleased with what i heard - i though the long songs worked very well and i loved the colour and dissonance that the piano chords were full of in almost every track. i think if i listened to album another one or two times i would've given it 5*, but based on a first listen it gets a strong 4*.

Coming just over a week after the algorithm gave me her latest album, I’ve been given her debut. It’s not the first time I’ve heard it, I’ve been well aware of the hype around her ever since she released the video for _Criminal_ but for some reason, the music never did much for me before. Well… it’s finally landed, perhaps thanks to listening to and loving _Fetch the Bolt Cutters_… I now get it! Incredible talent and to think she wasn’t even 20 when this was released. A dark chamber/alt pop album featuring jazzy piano arrangements underpinned with a blues that belies her years. Her voice expressive, and sultry; it’s a fantastic debut!

Better than Coldplay

Mi è piaciuto. Un po’ romantico bello il sound le melodie e i brani dove risalta il pianoforte

alcuni pezzi mi sono piaciuti, ma altri erano troppo lenti

Fiona Apple's debut showcases an artist mature way beyond her 19 years of age. The jazzier stylings of these tracks make the record stand out in the sea of 90's female singer-songwriters, even Apple's closest-sound peer, Tori Amos, didn't foray into jazz this much, opting for a more Alt Rock approach. We can already hear some of Apple's signature musical elements here, such as her confrontational lyricism or her great use of the lower keys of the piano, which my brother once described as "villain music". Later albums would refine her aesthethic and add more and more strange instrumentation and sounds to the music, but the essence is already here. Key tracks: Sleep to Dream Sullen Girl Shadowboxer Criminal The First Taste Never Is a Promise

Really enjoyed this one (4.5⭐️)

Oh that voice. Hard to believe Fiona Apple was just a teen when she made this album. The first roughly half the album is absolutely masterful… vocally, lyrically, and musically. That sultry rich soulful voice just pierces right through you. The second half of the album starts to drag a bit and I found myself getting a little bored with the music… although her voice is still amazing. If the second half had matched the first, this would’ve easily been a 5.

Good apples

Very forward thinking album and sound. Couple of bangers but liked the whole album feel. She was only 19 in 96 so very very impressive for her age. Got Radiohead vibes from something released in 96 & that doesn't happen much. I think "Tidal" directly influenced Billie's "When we all fall asleep where do Go" & Rihanna's ANTI.

Fiona Apple keeps proving to me that she's one of the best female singers. Favourite Songs: Sleep to Dream, Shadowboxer, Criminal, Never Is a Promise. Least Favourite Songs: Slow Like Honey, Pale September.

Very good, sinister etc.

Fiona Apple has an excellent voice and a wonderful production underneath it - the (flattering) Bjork comparisons have been made many times before but it's hard not to taste it even in her debut work. While it's not a life-changer for me I can see how listening to this album a couple times as a depressed teen would make it somebody's lifelong favourite (it has that 'it' quality about it). fav tracks: The First Taste, Criminal, Never Is a Promise

Her debut album. Pop / Indie. For a young woman of nineteen at the time the lyrics and melodies throughout are incredibly mature. I like her vocals. Shadowboxer is a good example. Slow Like Honey is a beautiful, smokey track. Lovely lyrics and vocals again. I liked her authenticity. I believe her. Very solid album.

Joli, ca me rappelle un peu Joni Mitchell mais sans l'aspect folk.

About what i expected from fionas debut but thats not to say its bad there is some really good songs here that make the album worth a listen 8/10 Favourite: Shadowboxer Least Favourite: Pale September

I liked the second half of the album more than the first half.

Tidal indeed washes over you immediately as a tidal wave would - the no-compromises confidence of Apple’s songwriting is nothing short of exquisite - from the first note of Sleep to Dream to the last of Carrion. My first thought upon finishing was the question of which track was my favourite, and this couldn’t immediately be answered, the hallmark of a truly brilliant album. I feel this way still with When the Pawn, Apple’s second outing and one of my most listened albums ever. So why did it take me this long to listen to her first? The simple answer is that I was afraid it wouldn’t live up to the high bar (albeit in reverse) set by When the Pawn. In reality this fear became completely shattered on first listen. It’ll take more than a few relistens, but Tidal could be every bit as good as what followed. There’s perhaps no immediate hooks as with e.g. Limp and Fast as You Can, except for Criminal, understandably her most famous track. But that needn’t matter, I suppose. Especially when approaching the end I am inclined to hit play all over again.

Fiona Apple was impossible to avoid in the 90s. Of all of the angry woman songwriters, there seemed to be something very unique about her. There's something kind of sexy but equally disturbing about her. Her youth implied a bit more innocence like the 90s pop starlets who took up most of the spotlight at the time. But she felt more corrupted and overly mature in a way that cut deep and took everyone by surprise. The top songs of this album still feel fresh today, and a bit shocking. Half of the album's 10 songs are excellent, especially the three stunning singles. The rest is a bit forgettable but the strong tracks are well worth revisiting.

Thought this album was beautiful. Voice and instruments really made this a great moody album.

Well, she’s got an amazing voice and I’m afraid a long line of breathy singers wanted to be her. I won’t remember a single song and I think that may be my lack of sophistication because it’s clear she’s thoughtful and talented and nonetheless it would be background music for me.

Kind of beautiful, kind of scary. I like it.

Brilliant for 18. It gets a bit ponderous in the back half so isn't a subjective five for me, but there are some great songs here and she's obviously a talent.

Moody, broody, spooky, snooty. Wonderful.

Glad I finally got to dive into Ms Apple's work. I've loved every collaboration I've heard of hers and dig this era of singer songwriters. There's some rough edges to this debut both for good and for bad. The songs are a bit samey but we'll focused in a unified sound at least. I liked it. Great album.

Originally a 3 but her attitude at the VMAs (??? Mtv??) and the last track bumps it to a 4. SO vulnerably unapologetic. So 90s. Not to mention incredible technically. Cool vibraphone(marimba?) on one of those later tracka. FOUR!

One of the most impressive things about this album is that Fiona Apple was only 18 when it came out. If she really did write her own lyrics based on personal experiences, then she was pretty mature for her age. What I enjoyed most about the album, though, is the music itself. I love the piano and the drumming on this album. The beats have a strong driving force, but they don’t overshadow the piano, which really drives the album. The combination of the two works very well together, and the production behind it is pretty solid too.

started off well, got a little bit like Alanis Morrissetti in the middle, then had a really good song - slow like honey. A very lyrically emotional album. Never is a promise and the child is gone are very real emotional songs, although i find the voice a little bit strained maybe. the last song, Carrion is also excellent. That and slow like honey are the standout songs. Definitely warrants another listen. 4 stars

Everytime I listen to Fiona Apple, I think "holy shit, this is good music". And that's exactly what I thought this time. The top songs sound better and the deep cuts are still solid.

Alanis Morrisette - should be listening to this album on repeat. Easy listening jazzy

I like the vibe. I am not really into this type of music, but I see the appeal.

goat

Surprised at how good this was. Singer songwriter in piano vibes but with a clearly dark ish, grunge feel to it. Makes it sound of the time, but refreshing compared to the bubblegum pop that comes after this

Soulful vocals and lyrics. Less aggressive and subversive than I expected from Fiona Apple, but in a good way.

78/100 incredible to be fair, always loved my jazz and recently due to artists like quadeca i've loved modern art pop, so to see some of its roots are incredible, inspiring me to listen to more from her in the future 1000%

I know of Fiona, I know how legendary she is in her own right. Not much of a fan of her music, too slow for me. I definitely know a track of hers but haven't really heard much of her stuff. These are good songs too. The first half of the album better than I thought.

Criminal is SUCH a 90s song. Love it. Not sure the rest of the album is my bag.

this was leaps and bounds better than the other Fiona Apple album i listened to from this list. this album came out 24 years earlier than the other one and it makes sense i liked this one more. i think the “songwriter” cares more and more about the lyrics and less about the music over time (see the tortured poets department) and im just so heavily a music-first listener. and the music here was so much better than the other album imo. dark and deep and haunting and just worked so well throughout

musica para garotas tristes nascidas na década de 90!! algumas sao meia bomba, mas sempre teve um aspecto que me surpreendeu. um instrumento, uma letra, qualquer coisinha. achei legal demais

Great album: beautiful voice, rich harmonies, sensitive lyrics… nothing negative to say, apart from maybe a tiny lack of diversity… Favorites : - Sullen girl - Shadowboxer (a surprising jazz sound married with beautiful lyrics and a devastating voice: already one of my favorite songs…) - Never is a promise

Brought me back. Love the tracks I love and meh on the tracks I don't. 3.5/5. I'll round to 4 for nostalgia.

So, so good. Holds up well. Unique voice and songs. Lots of great tracks.

#44 Tidal ~ Fiona Apple There is a world of pop music outside the orthodox definitions of 'pop music' that manifested in the 80s-90s. This microcosm of many sounds mostly developed out of a variety of influences where one would not expect from pop, such as jazz, classical, rock, nascent hip hop or punk: bits and pieces of not-so-commercial sounds or forgotten antiqued genres meshed together by however a musician sees fit. Although slow to get going, out-of-leftfield pop projects only really got a shine outside artist and critic circles and into the public limelight deep into the internet era, where you had a variety of firebrand personalities emerging with their own takes on pop: Lana Del Rey, Marina and the Diamonds, Crystal Castles, Grimes, The 1975, Sky Ferraria, Lorde, etc. Another big result of these sort of artists getting the spotlight is their earlier influences getting more attention. Fiona Apple's Tidal is one such example. Tidal, like most Fiona Apple stuff, is slow burn stuff. It's not instantly gratifying like other albums, but instead smoulders over time, catching by the middle of the album before pulling its most slow burners all the way to the end. As a result, it may take a bit of an open and forgiving ear to get used to Tidal's Broadwayesque numbers and sweeps, but once you catch on, you will find some incredibly luxurious sounding and sweetly enjoyable songs. Much of Tidal's songs are drawn back in instrumentation, mimicking the sound of chamber jazz standards, a love of Apple's. This minimalism serves to highlight Apple's piano playing and her smoky, nearly husky vocals which propel her introspective lyrics of vulnerability concerning past experiences of love. Interestingly enough, much of these lyrics were written long before Apple reached her late teens, which makes her use of metaphors incredibly impressive but also explains a dangerous lean into indulging into sentimentality and angst. In fact, how much she leans into her brutal mix of honesty and drama is the one defining characteristic that characterises the different songs of Tidal, since the instrumentation of each song remains more or les the same, especially towards the second half of the album. Although it comes as a strength in showing the glimpses of her range, from the pounding jazzy stomps of Sleep to Dream and Criminal through honeyed bittersweetness of Never Is a Promise to the misery of Carrion. Tidal is probably the easiest way to approach Fiona Apple's repertoire of not-so-safe pop albums, a showcase of her talent in verbalising complicated emotions of love and pain, and a unique ear for hearty showtunes. Despite not being the most-out-there album to indulge in its variety, nor the most quick-paced to catch on easily, nor the most mature album to tackle broken love, what it is is incredibly solid and sweet tasting honey. And the best way to enjoy this album is how it sounds: sitting by yourself in a comfy spot near something warm and simply relax into the album. Also Kanye West really loves this album, funny that.

Le temps m’a manqué je devrai réécouter. Mais j’ai vraiment aimé le jeu de piano et sa voix. A revisiter dans un contexte plus calme.

This is just a fantastic album. Fiona Apple's voice is fantastic. The band behind her is so strong. The songs are diverse and so much fun. This is just great. The guitar tones/solo in "Carrion" are GREAT! Probably a 4.25 Liked Songs: "Sleep to Dream" , "Shadowboxer" , "Criminal" , "Slow Like Honey" , "The First Taste" , "Never Is a Promise" , "The Child Is Gone" , "Carrion"

Really loved the 2nd half, even though I did fall asleep to it at one point.

A very impressive debut album. Great songs, singing, and arrangement. I’m not the target audience of the character who’s singing these songs (seems to be a tough-as-nails, world weary, late-20’s mid 30’s woman, who’s cynical about love), so the lyrics all run together after a while. I wish there was a little more variance in the character. It’s a 4.

Very cool album. Fiona Apple is a cool singer-songwriter.

Fantastic debut album, but not her best — that would be EXTRAORDINARY MACHINE in my opinion.

*4.5 Favorites: Criminal and Sleep to Dream. I really enjoyed every song. This reminded me of a calmer and less rock influenced Alanis

The talent and potential Fiona Apple had at such a young age is on full show here, even if the album does feel a bit repetitive towards the end. However, Apple’s performance accompanied with lush instrumentation make this an impressive debut. Rating - 7.6 Top Three Tracks: Sleep to Dream, Criminal, Carrion Least Favourite Track: Pale September

Never heard of Fiona Apple before - really enjoyed the album though

Liked it! Aged well.

Astounding voice. Incredible talent. A travesty this is her only album on the list. A 4 star album by a 5 star artist.

This was way better than I expected/remembered.

Song to cull: The Child is Gone I got this album when it first came out and listened to it constantly. I know all the lyrics. It's one of my favorite albums from when I was younger. "When the Pawn Hits..." is a better more mature album but I still like this one.

First listen to this one, although I was familiar with 'Extraordinary Machine' and of course the single 'Criminal'. What a terrific debut, a surprisingly great and mature jazz pop for an 18 year old, with some terrifically vulnerable and honest lyrics. I understand how she got lumped in with all the 90s alt-rock ladies despite sounding nothing like them.

8/10… art pop / piano rock

good

"Sleep to Dream" and "Criminal" come on and I sing them. It's partly familiarity and nostalgia - radio singles from a time when I listened to the radio - but I love both those and I think they're a step above the rest of the album. There's a nice variety to Tidal but I kind of wish she carried the "Sleep to Dream" aggro spoken word jazz fusion style through more songs. "Never Is a Promise" started to catch my ear on relistens though. Bonus round, from a couple years after Tidal: Every now and then I queue up the music video for Apple's cover of "Across the Universe" from the Pleasantville soundtrack. One-two punch of a really great video and a really great cover.

Sultry and good piano songs

Ik ben fan van Fiona's sound, die op dit album al duidelijk te horen is. Grappig om te horen hoeveel "The First Taste" dan ineens van dit geluid afwijkt. Klinkt meer als een poging om als Sade te klinken.

Oh I loved this so much!

This surprised one surprised me. I remember when this sound came out. I didn't want to like, but I was because I thought she got famous through an industry connection, which was both ignorant and unfair. Listening to this record all the way through, it's impressive. It's not really my thing, but I believe it's really a unique record and probably paved the away / inspired a lot of others.

Highlights: Sleep To Dream, Shadowboxer, Slow Like Honey, Never Is A Promise In a nutshell: “I’ve got my own hell to raise” The comparisons to Tori Amos and Alanis Morrisette are fair but Fiona holds her own on Tidal. Self-penned songs, skilled piano, alternative orchestral pop meets jazz. It was great to revisit this album. Overall: 7/10

Excellent for the most part

really good very emotional! like ldr but a little more interesting

Sultry, bluesy, wonderful.

I liked this! Fiona has a really beautiful voice and a good range.

This just extraordinary great songwriting. And sort of timeless. Sixties singer songwriting or indie who cares. Four plus

Great voice. Building to better albums.

Great lyrics. Cool album. Can't believe I've never listened to it before

It's a beautiful album, perhaps buried among other piano pop songwriting in the late 90s. That's a shame if listeners not familiar with Fiona Apple missed this one.

3.5

was quite a nice listen

Interesting and emotional debut album

Decent, listenable, but not mind-blowing in my opinion. Love Fiona apple but I'm not so sure about this album. Halfway through it feels like I've been on the same song. The First Taste has a whole different vibe, nice and seems catchy def why i voted the album higher. The last songs are more diverse, love it.

I like how this album feels both a bit angry and with lot of attitude (like in 'Sleep to Dream' or 'Carrion') and very relaxing at the same time (like in 'The Child is Gone' or 'Pale September'), while everything also sounds fantastic and very alternative. A great experience.

Interesting, rich, and still fresh sounding in many ways.

My opinion has largely remained the same on this album over the 10ish years I have been listening to it. First half is really good, second half slows down a bit too much, then ends on a high with Carrion. Lana Del Rey for girls who have more good days than bad. Post by Björk is a great follow up after listening to this. At least for me.

Very enjoyable listen. Must confess I was not aware of the artist before this was served up so a good example of why this exercise is a useful process. Not exactly in my wheelhouse, but I’m fully able to appreciate the artistry behind it and there’s some very nice ballads including on the album.

i like fiona apple

I was pleasantly surprised, the first side had a lot of tracks I knew and the back half was a chill listen.

so random bc i so close to listening to this album yesterday, really liked it, will have to listen to more

W sumie takie całkiem fajne jak na popik. Smutne... 4/5

First real dive into Fiona Apple. She has a great voice and style. I know she's a beloved figure in the art pop/ singer songwriter world but I never really went down that road. I'm compelled.

4.5

Absolutely fantastic album, just not quite in 5 star territory though

Favourite songs: Sullen Girl, Shadowboxer, Carrion* Doesn’t blow your mind by any means, definitely an album intended for a female audience so didn’t much resonate with me… Okay I’ve listened to those three songs a few times now and I’m a much bigger fan after a couple listens, moving my score up from a 6.4.. 7.2/10

Caught me off guard, very good soothing album, gives me Sade vibes

Loved listening to this album. I knew the song Criminal.

As far as singer songwriters go, one of the GOATs

ethereal experience

Fantastic

Solid album. Criminal is a banger of course. Orders of magnitude better than Fetch the Bolt Cutters imo.

Stunning debut album. Fiona Apple has a voice that lulls you into a cozy comfort like you know her then all of the sudden she will sing some of the most biting words you’ve ever heard string together. Hearing this and knowing where she goes from here was very interesting. If I have any criticism, it would be that the album is a bit front loaded with all the catchiest songs.

Flott plet

I was late discovering Fiona Apple. Her album Fetch The Bolt Cutters floored me and went back for a listen to the whole catalogue. Tidal is a great debut that hints at directions she would explore later. Not fully cohesive but such a joy to hear again

I just fucking love Fiona Apple, and this album is an undeniable masterpiece. Her vocals are entrancing and the lyrics are both deeply personal and deeply poetic.

I guess I like a gal with a deep voice and a piano. ‘Criminal’ is probably one of the weaker songs on here tbh.

Cool music that makes me feel cool. I love her voice and inflections.

ughh her mind

Gefällt mir sehr gut. Ich mag die Jazzigen Züge und den Instrumentalischen Hintergrund

Excelente álbum. Solo conocía a Fiona Apple de nombre, pero no había escuchado su música. Percibí varias influencias en su voz como Bjork y Sade. Algunas de las canciones me parecieron bastante adelantadas a su época. Me gustó el uso de la armonía que por momentos sorprende. Un disco que seguramente escuche otra vez

Fiona is an underappreciated genius. She’s still very young here and finding her voice, but she manages to put a handful of perfect tracks down. Sleep to Dream, Sullen Girl, Shadowboxer, and Criminal are just a stellar start to a record by a teenager. If this pace kept up it’d be 5 stars from me. Unfortunately it drags a little mid-record but comes back strong with Carrion. When the Pawn… is where she become a full-fledged classic singer and songwriter in my book.

I tried listening to this in 2021 and I believe I fell asleep. I was tired, it was a 16 hour road trip. I've always liked two of the songs on this: Sleep To Dream and Criminal. The rest, I'm not as familiar with. Sullen Girl took me by surprise and I believe that the slow atmosphere is something that I can understand better at this age. Shadowboxer puts her voice front and center. For her young age, she definitely had a voice that could move mountains. I'm not saying that to be cliche or some shit, I do mean that. What I recognize about these outro sections so far is that they bring in moments of solos from these instruments with "quirks" to their sound before fading out. Just as this album begins to make more sense to me, Criminal comes in and steals the show. This is a good sign. Slow Like Honey is probably the first skip but it's a natural comedown from Criminal. The First Taste brings it back up. It's one along with Criminal where Fiona shows this more ferociously naive attractive side of her rather than just pure anger and piano. I may not even know what I'm saying. Never Is A Promise has excellent lyricism, straight up. This girl can sing, damn. It's such an engaging song that the next two songs don't matter as much to me. There's about 3 skips on this album. That doesn't discredit how impressive this is for a debut at this age, it's just that some of the songs I don't vibe with as much. At the very least, this album has a strong closer in Carrion. Why isn't When The Pawn on this list? 7/10 (but 3 stars here as I feel I enjoyed the MMLP more) (Update: It's a 4, Phil, are you insane?) (7/10, 4/5 on this scale)

I've heard of her but was not familiar with her work. She's compared to Tori Amos and the likes (and I really like Amos or O'Connor for example) but it feels like a more "pop" version of the aforementioned artists. It's good, but I wasn't blown away as I hoped I would be.

Definitely a lot better than I went in expecting

Incredible debut! Took me right back to my college days where that incredibly sexy video for 'Criminal' played endlessly on MTV's TRL every afternoon. If Tidal has a downfall it's that the back half of the album doesn't quite stand up to the energy of the front half. This a record made for headphones. The production is so vibrant with it's strings and instruments, that's it's easy to not see (or hear) what's right in front of you. Seriously...for those saying this sounds the same, go back and intently listen. You'll be rewarded.

Enjoyed it more than I thought I would, soulful.

I really liked this! Lovely, dreamy, emotional. "Crminal", "Slow Like Honey" and "Shadowboxer" are highlights. Four stars

Not the kinda stuff i usually listen to but the highs Were really high. Slower songs didn't really hit as hard since its not my cup of tea.

"Criminal" and "Shadowboxer" are fantastic. The rest of this, for me, is forgettable.

I enjoyed this enough to rate it higher than 3 but something was missing for me and I can’t quite put my finger on it. Shadowboxer is a really great record!

Pretty good album. not sure why she wasn't more popular 4/5

shrek orange

OH HELL YEAH. Love Fiona Apple. Oh wow, her voice is capable of being so so buttery, or so so gritty, and you can tell she’s truly a master of control. (Also a master of songwriting). Her lyrics are very poetic and the style of the songs suits it—jazzier than I expected, perhaps, and much more akin to Norah Jones than you’d think. I do love the variation between the songs. Each one is its own unique being, and most are marvelous. In perhaps a rare occurrence, I prefer the second side and find it to be overall stronger. The last two or three songs are just fantastic, somehow even more so than the rest of the album (a feat that seems near impossible!!).

I was in my early 20s when this album came out, but somehow it flew under my radar. I remember the video for Criminal but that's about it. Anyway, this was a pleasant surprise. Fiona is definitely a talented singer and songwriter. Pretty amazing she was 18 when recording these songs. 3.5/5 Album 57/1001

Fiona Apple has been on my list so this was fun to finally check out! "Slow Like Honey," "Criminal," "The First Taste," and "Carrion" were my highlights. This was a great top to bottom atmosphere with unique instrumentations.

Solid album. Better than what I remembered 30 years ago.

Really really good if you are in a melancholy mood

Really nice. Buttery singing. Smooth. A little jazzy piano. Very satisfying. A little haunting.

Moody. Have listened twice. Very good

Apple's debut album starts with a dark tone, very intriguing, and that's the mood for the album. It's brooding and introspective. It's full of self loathing and spite at ex-lovers. Makes sense with some of the events that occurred prior to her recording this album, and you can tell Apple is pouring some of those thoughts and feelings into her work. She is a great pianist. Her vocals are not perfect, often raspy and rough, but that's what makes each track intriguing and I like that. There's also some really cool synth under some of the tracks (e.g. "Criminal") and nice guitar parts on others ("Carrion") and I'm all about that. I want to sit in a dark bar and have a whiskey and listen to "Slow Like Honey." "The First Taste" is very exotic and a nice departure from the previous mood. There are a few songs that are forgettable on the second half of the album. Highlights for me were: "Sullen Girl," "Slow Like Honey," "The First Taste," and "Carrion." I actually really liked this album. It's dark and gritty and would be great to put on when you're kinda down on the world but want something approachable and smokey and smooth to seethe along with. Pretty strong 4/5 for me. If the album hadn't let up a little down the homestretch and had veered a tad away from being a bit one dimensional, I'd be really tempted to put it at a 5.

Fiona Apple kind of passed me by until I listened to Fetch the Bolt Cutters a lot during the covid lockdown (it was released in 2020, but it also suited my mood). I've been meaning to go back and listen to her earlier stuff so it was good to get this one - it's less distinctive than Bolt Cutters but it's still a great debut. I should have got on the Apple train a lot earlier.

Love this album! Still stands up after nearly 30 years.

Fiona Apple - Tidal Probably a light to medium 4, already a fan of hers and I like all of this but I could go for a couple more tunes as good as Carrion to make me surer of my rating (Idler Wheel and When the Prawn are both more consistent albums for me). ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Minus pop main Streamlinie, plus Jazzy!

Oh, she sang _that_ song (Criminal). Incredible voice. Both the rock-ish and somehow the jazz tracks sound quintessentially 90s, but in a good way. Favorite track: Pale September

Good at what she does.

Very Joni Mitchell, but a good listen.

Would listen again. I loved some of these songs so much - sleep to Dream is just one of the best, and criminal and shadowboxer are great too. Overall, there are some parts that drag for me, but Fiona has such a cool voice. I give it a strong 4. Fave songs are the singles and carrion.

Enjoyed it. Surprised I had never come across it.

Partially listened before Fav tracks: Sleep to Dream, Criminal, Shadowboxer

Good voice!

Great album! Takes me back to my youth. 4/5

Super cool album, love the instrumentation, Fiona Apple has a great voice and style, always kind of dismissed this as a "chick" album when I was younger but appreciate it much more with older perspective. Will def be busting it out on fall/winter Saturday mornings. 4 - will definitely listen again

Oh this ate down real bad. It just had such a melancholic yet edgy feel to it I can't explain. The instrumentals and the lyrics were so good and perfect for each other. Kinda slow at times but I might just not be in a sad mood today idk.

Bloody lovely

I was 12 when the video for "criminal" came out. I didn't exactly know what was going on but I was very interested. This album is absolutely solid and I find myself listening to her more and more over the years.

I listened to this album I think twice before, the first time it floored me how good it was but the second time I felt kind of underwhelmed by it, both when I was still in my teens so that makes it kind of fuzzy to remember what even went on this album, so having a chance to listen again is great as always, even more when the album is still just as good as I figured it would be. I guess mainly the fact that it's not simple piano rock with very strong vocals (but it is mostly that), but the additional instrumentals, beats and ideas that are brought which elevates the album into something even more interesting and enjoyable than I imagined. it's also that Fiona is such a charismatic vocalist that it's hard not to feel something at simply the *way* she sings and enunciates things. All around, wonderful album and I hope I can get more from her sooner rather than later

Remarkable. This is the 2nd album by Fiona Apple in this list. I had bad memories of the first - newer - one. So I wasn't expecting much. But I was surprised. I liked the album, quite a lot in fact. Did I perhaps do Fiona an injustice with her previous album? I'm listening to it now. No. I don't like the new album, but I do like this one. 4/5

First timer for me here, this is sick. Kinda assumed it would be based on reputation. Lives up to it.

sleep to dream isch jo huuuere geill de wummrig bass. ihri bluesige vocals d chords d produktion wo easy busy isch. booah s klavier wo sochli inefadet. geili bridge. wow. hammer afang. sullen girl viel zruckhaltender, ruhiger aber super schön produziert au sehr geil. sie isch 18ni uf dem?? unglaublich riifs songwriting und stimm. slow like honey maaad cool. ich find mit de ziit ischs biitz easy listening für mich aber s isch alles uf uhuere höchem niveau. never is a promise zb suuper schöni strings und d chords mached saache. suuuper song. the child is gone au pedal steeel gitiii. ui carrion au suuuper, giti druf uuuhuere geil ide mitti. wowooo. he sehr guets vieri, ide mitti hets mi biiitz verlore aber es isxh scho huuuere guet

Good album. But the second half of it clears the first half

Really pleasant listen, a lot of really good songs and not really any bad ones. Nothing that blew me away though

Fiona Apple is a fantastic artist, really good debut album

Heard it before. It seems like her most recent album became THE Fiona album for lots of people but to me nothing beats her first two records 4/5

very nice album. i was very impressed with the production and the range of sounds. this album has a combination of catchy pop melodies, powerful lyrics, and beautiful vocals throughout. fav song: the first taste

“Her voice is annoying.” Are y’all high?

This was nice. I can see why Fiona Apple is so highly regarded. This was fantastic. Will be listening to more

Awesome debut!!

Great old school indie vibe

e num é que a menina é boa mesmo? letras belissimas e a voz da querida é forte e bem expressiva. já é madrinha aqui em casa!!!

All the teenage feels!

Great first album! I enjoyed all of it.

7/10 fave: the first taste

3.5

One of my all time artist... Though I do absolutely love this album, I still feel When The Pawn... would have been a better selection over this. I'm glad Fetch The Bolt Cutters is still to come. (9.1) ★★★★½

Lovely piano

One of the first albums to genuinely surprise me - not that she hasn't given me reason to be skeptical, but I went into this album with something in mind that was different to the actual product. This album is far more reigned in and 'radio-friendly' than I would have expected considering Fiona Apple's other releases. I'm happy she's expanding into a field that is more uniquely hers, but I was pleasantly surprised by this album.

Never listened to fiona apple before and was suprised in a good way. The lyrics were heartfelt and clever whilst the sound patterns were unique and well constructed. Overall impressive stuff, looking forward to seeing more in the future. Favorite track: shadowboxer. Overall score: 7.9/10

I find this quite enjoyable. Nice indie music and a nice voice.

Very good

Powerful….

Pretty good album. Has a definite 90s vibe.

One wonders how Camille Paglia would feel about this record, not to mention one's theory of this (along with Alanis M's records) being female fantasy – full empowerment and open sexuality (one's all for that) and owning the mensfolk (which is some [perhaps most] circumstances is totally fine). It feels a little overdone in this direction and not as good as Tori Amos, say, or the criminally underrated Toni Childs even though the full-on commitment that FA shows is mostly to be lauded. "First Taste" and "Never Is a Promise" are strong. Slightly begrudging 4 here.

Man, I remember when this album came out. It was all over the radio everywhere and rightfully so. I think it also holds up today as a really well written, performed and produced album. Some of it is a little dated sounding. For example, the jazzy groove of The First Taste is very mid 90s. I could say Criminal is also very mid 90s sounding, but that's because it was THE song of the mid 90s from my memory.

fiona apple good at music

not my favourite fiona record but still SOLID. her writing is great and how young she was when she wrote this makes me feel bad about myself

Wow. What a swell re-listen. She’s a poet.

Good album, but it should be played when raining.

Incredible. Tear jerking and passionate. Can’t believe she was 19 when she made this. 9/10

The first depressed woman in music (4)

This is really good. I love how diverse the instruments can get, every outro and instrumental moment has interesting details.

mostly great, pianos as the main instrument in rock/pop often comes off very cheesy (meat loaf) but I think this does it well. I think this is better than the bolt cutters one by a little, but probably a little worse than the pawn one, as I think I like the more experimental stuff on there. Some of the more pop ones I like less though. Favourite songs: sullen girl, shadowboxer, criminal, slow like honey, the first taste, the child is gone. Overall around 7/10

Probably our parents' dream girl

I like her style. Most songs are cool and soulful. Some are fragile and beautiful.

i don't really like fiona apple but i really liked this. mostly cause it got a lil bjorky

Y'all, Fiona Apple was 19 when she wrote this. This woman lived a life through song that no body twice her age has lived. This is such a powerful album that I forgot about because this poor child was being pushed around by the media when she first broke, it's amazing she's sane today. 4.5/5

I spent a lot of time with this album in the early 2000s and still like it a lot. I never found Fiona Apple to be particularly relatable but her voice is so good and the album has a good amount of variety of production to keep it moving. Listening now, there is maybe a tighter 40 minute album within this. 3.5 rounded up.

Pretty good, liked a bunch of the songs

Strong voice, sad I’ve avoided her. Perfect for the 90’s lovey, heart broken, free and independent feel. What a great time for music really. She cemented herself amongst the top females of the era.

This is nostalgic, and I like her smokey voice. Quite nice.

Strong album with punchy tunes. It's a feminist album without being obvious about it. The entire thing is bubbling with talent, definitely something special. She's the next Kate Bush to me. Not because she copies Bush (her style is completely her own) but because she is authentic and clearly an excellent song writer. Here's a break down of some of the songs: Sleep to dream is a banger. Slow like honey showcases Apple's luscious, haunting vocals. A slow, dark banger of a song. The last two tunes were quite dull to be honest, the album would have been better without them. However, the strong songs make up for it. I love the rarity of finding a genuinely original, talented female song writer baring her soul to her listeners. Real glad I found this!

really enjoyed this. great songwriting, and Apple has a beautiful voice

8/10 She killed this out of the gate. The voice and song writing are masterful. The best songs are classics and the worst are simply listenable. 3-06-2025

ive already listened. 4

She has an amazing voice and great melodies. The lyrics have so much emotion. I didn't love the entire album.

This album was such a pleasure to listen to. It's sultry and jazzy and beautiful and NOT what I expected at all from what I've heard about Fiona as a person over the years. I tried listening to fetch the bolt cutters when it came out and I really didn't like it but this album is a lot more accessible. I really enjoyed it.

I'm a big Fiona Apple fan, and on balance this album does hold up, but I wouldn't say it was her best. It does have a tendency towards morose teenage angst and some lyrics which could have been improved - but seeing as she was a literal teenager when she wrote it, I think that can be excused. Also, you get the feeling that some of the low notes are a little out of her natural range. That said, I think every song has something to offer, and several are top tier. Shadowboxer, Never is a promise, Carrion, Criminal, Sleep to Dream - I loved them as a teen and I love them now. A low 4, but still a 4.

-ahh tidal… this was my intro to Fiona Apple last year, i got into a bunch of songs from it but never listened to the full record until now -it’s really beautiful and well-done especially for a debut album. a perfect showcase of her talent with so many standouts… god i love Sleep To Dream -Favorites are Sleep To Dream, Criminal, and The First Taste

Love this album. Late to this album, but blew me away that its the blueprint for a lot of music I enjoyed growing up like Regina Spektor. Love the production as well; i wish I could make my piano sound as good as fiona's. I think she would go on to do even better work with Pawn, especially with the inclusion of Jon Brion, but this is still an INSANE debut.

like it best so far vibing with a few of these

Finde es gibt noch bessere von Fiona Apple, aber sie ist einfach toll ♥️

sleep to dream banger

An album of contrasts. Some of the most important songs written in that era in the first part of the album, followed by less good stuff in the back end.

I'm a big fan of a few of Ms. Apple's songs like "Fast as You Can" and "I Want You to Love Me" but those aren't on this album. Cool to give her debut a listen. At age 18/19 she's clearly writing poetry with emotional depth and complexity well beyond her years. I had to give this several listens and really put my jazz ears on to appreciate the artistry. Favorites: Sleep to Dream, Shadowboxer, Criminal (no matter how many times I hear this one it's still so good), The First Taste, The Child is Gone. Great instrumentation and love how her voice and piano flow together over some great beats.

I hadn't heard this before. She has a lovely smooth voice and it's an accomplished debut, I'll be seeking out more of her work.

A sultry mix of soul, jazz, and rock. The personal tales are riveting

To jest female rage w najczystszej postaci. Ulubiony przeze mnie gatunek Pani z gitarą/fortepianem w nieco odważniejszej wersji. Idealne na dni, kiedy świat daje ci kopa. Fiona jest wybitną tekściarką i tak, jej płyty zmieniały muzykę. 8/10

Good album

A fuller voice than many, with good and varied music around it. Quite the piano player as well.

Nice music. Sometimes like Joan Baez. Mellow and peaceful.

Can’t imagine too many mellotrons were used in 1996

Heavy jazz influence. Some songs are faster in beat but the piano is the focal point in a lot of songs and brings a sense of intimacy.

I became a Fiona Apple fan later and was a bit lukewarm on her stuff in the 90s. I really enjoyed the re-listen and it's a great album--almost a 4.5, but going with a:

9/10 Favorite Tracks: All of them Least Favorite Tracks: None

Pre listen: Hell yeah. I've been meaning to listen to more Fiona Apple and going into this Criminal is a banger! Post: Big fan but not as good as other work I've heard before from her. Feels like a less extravagant Regina Spektor style singing even if the music style is heavier. Highlight: Never Is a Promise

I have one or two Fiona Apple track in my favorites (from earlier albums), but I had heard good things about her 2020 album Fetch the Boltcutters, so I was excited to hear a full album from her. I wasn't disappointed. She has a fantastic ear for melody and her vocal range is excellent. I hadn't heard Criminal in years, and it brought me back. Fav Tracks: Shadowboxer, Criminal

I liked this. Not usually a piano-focused music guy, but this has some very interesting songwriting/structure and beautiful vocals. This would certainly a be mood-inspired relisten, but I could see it happening.

Very nice. For you, for me and my squirrel. Very nice.

Much of this album feels like a soundtrack for a deep, dark, menacing piece of baroque film noir. At times, it sprawls. And then, it's right in your ear and your ear alone. I'm a sucker for a 6/8 swing, and this album has a few. The rhythm sections, including drums, base, and often, Apple's piano, is sublime. So many brilliant musicians on this album. String arrangements are pristine. This album is an achievement and, while the three hits are perfectly rated, perhaps the album, as a whole, is actually underrated.

I love Fiona Apple, especially after regular plays of Bolt Cutters, but never to listened to Tidal in full. I understand why she was frustrated by Criminal overshadowing a lot of solid songs. It’s a good listen.

So great and a sign or even better things to come.

This was a great discovery. There's a risk of over-reacting after a run of slightly disappointing albums, and from the joy of discovering something new, so I'll only give it 4* to be safe.

3.5

Slow like honey...

Quite liked it

Kedvenc/Favourite: Shadowboxer Valamiért nem vártam ettől az albumtól sokat, de pozitívan csalódtam. Zeneileg nem volt szerintem kiemelkedő, de vannak benne érdekes részek és végig szépek a dallamok. Jól kísérik a szöveget, ami néha pozitív értelemben szíven ütött. Egy-két kivétellel elég hasonlóak a számok, és a legtöbb rövidebben is ugyanilyen jó lenne (azért nem voltak zavaróan hosszúak). Nem elképzelhetetlen hogy több track is a szívemhez fog nőni. For some reason I didn't expect much from this album, but I was pleasantly surprised. Musically, I don't think it was outstanding, but there are interesting parts and the melodies are nice throughout. They accompany the lyrics well, which at times hit me in the heart in a positive way. With one or two exceptions, the songs are quite similar, and most would be just as good if they were shorter (they weren't frustratingly long, though). It's not unlikely that several of the tracks will grow on me.

So dramatic. So many memories.

Here’s one of those albums I’ve been meaning to listen to for a long time and just never made the time. I like it a lot. Shadowboxer and Carrion are a couple of favorites, but I loved Never is a Promise the most.

Would listen again