Fetch The Bolt Cutters

⭐⭐⭐/5

What a curious choice for this collection. When I got "Tidal" much earlier, I noted that most Fiona Apple fans seemed to think "Fetch the Bolt Cutters" and "When the Pawn..." were her best albums, so I guess I imagined that this album would be like "Tidal" but more polished and catchy. Or something. That is *not* what this album is, clearly. I really enjoyed "Shameika" (in part because of the entrancing video), as well as "Relay" (the first half reminded me of a song set to those guys outside subway stations playing 5-gallon buckets as drums) and "Heavy Balloons", but overall it feels like the sort of album that *really* appeals to Fiona Apple fans, but leaves everyone else on the outside looking in. (But given the acclaim over this album, I don't think this is an opinion shared by many...) Full props to her that she not only composed all of the songs, but also recorded pretty much every sound on the album in her home. I do wish she'd had a little more restraint in either the number and/or length of the songs (or maybe became more proficient with GarageBand before recording tracks), as an hour is a bit much for a non-fan to listen to her largely successful musical experiments.

I have only heard a track or two from her. Was not expecting her this to be a more recent album. First couple tracks are good. Not my style.

1 1/2 listens of this album might not be enough to fully get into the vibe. Might work as background noise for a rainy sunday afternoon. meh

While I can appreciate the artsy style, I just don't warm to the music. A cut above the usual copycat bands you've heard over and over again, who also do little wrong, and rarely annoying, but no track in sight that I want to listen to more often.

Pretty enjoyable, wasn't all the way on board but good style

Fiona Apple, I liked it! Eclectic mix of style and pace. It was a good change of pace for me.

Interesting album. I'd never heard of her. Nice piano work on some of the tracks.

shameika under the table rack of his ladies for her drumset

Better than I'd expected. She has the self-absorption of Gen Z, but she channels it well.

Interesting

I had to listen to this album a second time to find some appreciation for it. Fiona Apple definitely put her heart and soul into the vocals. As for the music, it’s experimental but still structured in a pop format. The album is piano-driven with percussion that doesn’t follow typical beat patterns. She recorded the album in her home studio with minimal production equipment, creating most of her beats and percussion with random found objects she had lying around. Overall, I’m not a big fan of her voice, but her experimental approach to the music production actually turned out pretty good.

Interesting avant-garde pop! There are very few instances where I listen to this stuff, but I do like it

First listen to Apple Not bad

I love Fiona Apple and I'm glad that she was able to score such a well-beloved album so late into her career, but I've just never cared for this album era of hers. I never liked the singles from it when they were new, so I never listened to the album, and I can't say that the overall vibe of the album has warmed up to me too much over the last few years. I like Heavy Balloon though.

Very sparse instrument-wise, original. there's something there but it's not for me

It's okay. Doesn't have my favorite of her songs on it.

3/5

i don't know much of Fiona Apple past her song, 'Criminal', which is an absolute banger. that said, this album is an interesting one. Fiona's voice is incredible, but you can tell that this album is her really exploring a ton of different styles and mechanics. its bold, and it feels like a real F-U to someone in particular, where she writes the music that she wants and then just smashes it. there were a few songs that I think could sneak its way into rotation, but i respect the artistry and avant-garde-ness of this album

Interesting album, Fiona has a really good voice. May have to revisit again and see If I like it more.

- Fands irgendwie ganz cool - Mochte ihre Stimme sehr gern - Das Pianospiel hat mir über weite Strecken suupeer gut gefallen - I Want You To Love Me ist richtig geil - Leider war mir aber auch vieles ein bisschen zu artsy und hält mich davon ab, das Album höher zu bewerten Rating: 3,25-3,5

Weird but fairly enjoyable. Would.

I think another I like the person more than their music. Definitely an interesting listen and I hope to get some of her other albums but prob not a revisit. I hope Shameika thinks I have potential too…

Cool alternative sound

Ok

Not for me. Not horrible though, just very different.

It was a cool listen and I like her name

Not even her best one. No idea why this is in the list.

This was a bit better than what I remembered it being!! I still don't love it but can definitely appreciate several songs and Fiona a lot more. Fav songs: - I want you to love me - Shameika - Rack of His

This was a fun 2020 album when it came out though I think I liked it better back then. I would say this and the dual T-Swift Albums encapsulated the pandemic in many ways. Fiona records most of this at home during the pandemic and a bit before it sounds like but I remember when it came out I got excited to hear music someone made in their house that way. It works! I'm not a huge Apple fan, some songs of hers I really like and the rest kind of just flows on by like a stream. This album was similar but some of these songs get stuck in my head like Fetch the Bolt Cutters and Under The Table. It was also during this time that I lost a key to a lock on my fence and had to buy bolt cutters to break it. I made some picture in regards to that, and shortly after cutting I found the key. Really happy to see albums like this on here.

2.5

01) I Want You To Love Me - 7,0 02) Shameika - 7,0 03) Fetch The Bolt Cutters - 7,0 04) Under The Table - 7,5 05) Relay - 6,0 06) Rack of His - 6,5 07) Newspaper - 6,5 08) Ladies - 7,0 09) Heavy Balloon - 7,0 10) Cosmonauts - 7,5 11) For Her - 7,0 12) Drumset - 7,0 13) On I Go - 7,0 TOTAL: 6,92 (69/100) There's nothing wrong with this album, but I can't see nothing that would attract me to it either. I like the sound of dogs barking, it adds the real home recording atmosphere to it. Songs are interesting, lyrics are fine, her voice is great and still I can't remember a single melody after I'm done.

Lovely vibes but only a few songs stuck with me

Having listened to this album, I might have been a little too harsh on the debut album Tidal. I still think the vocals on that album sound a bit off, but I can appreciate the music much more now. Fetch The Bolt Cutters is a much more interesting album, though, even if it is not entirely my cup of tea.

I mean, I really dig this. Just super experimental pop I think? Pretty serious lyrics and mismatched beats. I fell like anyone would be on the fence of this typically though I thought it was good. 3.2

Beautifully emotional well written album. Sounds beautiful the poetry is amazing. Everything about this is impressive.

General thoughts: Weird, has its lows and highs though I generally prefer her less experimental songs. She has a good voice, though I feel generally she doesnt makes the most out of it as in "Heavy Ballon". Favorite songs: I want you to love me Shameika - Nice transition from previous track Drumset Cover: Reading the page summary I would assume she herself made the cover art, its pretty silly heh not a compliment. Real rating: 2.92

i can see someone liking this a lot but it’s not for me, we’re ships passing in the night, Godspeed ms apple!

I was pleasantly intrigued

Only ever liked one of her songs and never gave her a proper listen before. This feels kinda like Broadway tribute to Tori Amos. It’s not bad, but I wouldn’t call this good exactly. There’s real music and strong vocals. But I don’t enjoy listening to it, cause it feels like it needs to be watched, if that makes sense. There are a lot of ideas here. If this was a stage show, it would work. But as a record, it demands too much attention. It *needs* attention. And, essentially, that’s my problem with her music. She’s got lots of talent but I don’t like spending time with her.

Some fun songs on here

I like here voice and style. Has some great songs. A bit experimental at times

listened to again slam poetry type beat

super creative, a little too weird for me at parts but pretty solid for the most part 3/5

It's not a good sign when the Spotify algorithm follows an album with a song that a) trying to do accomplish the same things as the "1001 Albums" artist, b) as a relative unknown, and c) much better. Sorry Fiona. The Magnetic Fields are now occupying your corner.

3.5

Not heard of this. One of the more modern suggestions, album from 2020. 3 so far.

varför är 2020 slagverk så dåliga??? få en trummispojke att slå dem och när du är mätt, fyll på lite mer, inte en krasch och 0,5 pumpande sparkar där var tionde sekund påuits. . . . . pam...... pumj-....... pam...... och du kan inte vara en kosmonaut dum som är rysk du är inte du är en västerländsk tjej västerländsk tjej. Tja, det kommer åtminstone att finnas en liten bock till snittet för 2020-talet heavy balloon

Gillade denna mer än Tidal - här har hon ett mer eget uttryck. Sen är det här ju rätt svårsmält och skulle behövas ett gäng genomlyssningar för att bedöma (vilket jag inte haft tid med).

I feel like it was trying too hard to make a statement and be bold or different that it took all the fun out of it. The writing was great and so was the production. It was even almost exciting at some points. However, I just can’t get behind an album that isn’t fun. 3/5

Special, authentic and great in the melodic moments. Original!

This is an extremely personal album and while it's not something I would listen to on a regular basis or maybe ever again, I appreciate it for what it is. Especially later on when I decided to look up who this artist is and what the album is about and tried to pick up on the different meanings of the songs. In the end it still has too much reparation for my taste and ultimately comes off to me closer to poetry. I did musically like For Her even though that is about a really tough subject. I liked the message of Ladies even though musically I hated it. 3/5

I'm afraid this didn't vibe with me very much. I found it a bit aggravating tbh. Some songs reminded me of Regina Spektor / Bjork and I didn't mind so much. Some of the heavier ones towards the end I got into. But I won't be listening again

Hier is zo eng veel moeite in gestoken. De recensies zijn ook eng, dit album zou de muziek helemaal veranderen. Ik ben niet heel erg fan. Misschien moet je dit eerst tien keer luisteren maar daar heb ik geen zin in

i want you to love me- um i like the piano. she has a nice voice. its nice but if its a whole album of this ive not sure ill make it. 5 shameika- alright kinda jazzy. alright im swaying to it. 6. some of these lyrics are a little........ but some are ok and to be honest even the bads one flow together sooo. fetch the bolt cutters- :/. idk about this one dog. im bored dude. this was over hyped. 4. under the table- meghan trainor type shit not gonna lie. bored. 3. relay- um . i kinda hate it. its like disney channel to me... 4 rack of his- enough. its kinda funny. and it kinda has a groove. 4 or 5ish newspaper- dog. what. my wrist started hurting. also disney channel. the background singing is kinda like that. idgaf. 3. ladies- the bass is nice. um its nice. it kinda starts to drag it doesnt have to be 4 minutes but overall its good. 5 heavy balloon- what is she talking about. um. she does have a lovely singing voice. but its kinda wack. 4 cosmonauts- boring ass . 2 or 3 for her- what. stop. stop it. 2. enough. drumset- um yeah its whatever. 4 on i go- i dont care that much. 3 or 4 its kind of a lot favorite track was ladies

Emotion is the main requirement in music for me. Fiona Apple does not lack emotion on Fetch The Bolt Cutters. It’s one of the most powerfully raw records I’ve ever heard. The problem is, it’s so dissonant it’s bordering into Yoko Ono territory. Avant-garde for the sake of being an avant-garde. It takes 7 songs for the first melody to appear. The second half of the album strikes the right balance of melody, dissonance, raw emotion. Cosmonauts is incredible 7.1/10

Buena voz femenina. Con estilo pop un tanto guitarrero. Melodías variadas. Sin destacar especialmente. Un poco del montón.

This reminds me of some of Lou Reed's albums I can appreciate what is being done I can enjoy parts of it I can be impressed with the inventiveness of it I can't imagine particularly ever wanting to listen to it again

Sonically it’s very experimental and interesting. Lots of layering. Sometimes it felt a little messy to me. But I appreciate and love Fiona’s passion. I can feel her emotions so clearly. She’s powerful

Onbekend maar zal ik enkele denk ik wel van blijven luisteren.

This album is brilliant and infuriating in equal measure. There are portions of it that are quite wonderful, but other bits that I find quite annoying. Giving this a three, but unlike most threes, it's not because it's "pleasant but unmemorable", but rather that that's the only way to average out the fact that this albums is both 5 and 1.

Dommage pour The Weeknd et son album After Hours, mais 2020 est bien l'année de Fiona Apple. C'est bien simple, le nom de Fiona Apple était sur toutes les lèvres. Fiona Apple par-ci, FIona Apple par-là... Dernier avertissement, Robert.

Sympa mais globalement on s'en branle complétement.

I can appreciate it for a single listen, but I'm not sure I'd ever want to listen to most of it again. I wouldn't say I really enjoyed any of the album, but I can understand its significance.

It was pretty good. Might not listen to it again but was a good album. Will I listen to again: 10%

Ah, I’m so conflicted on this album. The highs are so high and then there are just some frustrating songs. I love love want you to love me, Shameika, fetch, cosmonauts and heavy balloon. These are perfect songs. I like on I go as well. And for her is just so raw. But then the rest just don’t hit. The production is great but they sort of wander and feel disjointed at times. I feel like they never reach their potential. Relay just goes nowhere, I like the elements but they never progress to something substantial. I feel the same way for rack of his, newspaper and ladies. I really really like half the album and half of it just sort of leaves me wanting more and keeps me frustrated. It’s a strong 3 and on good days a 4.

Interesting music, quite unique sound

I went back and forth on this album. A couple of songs were pretty decent, a few were just ok, and a few didn’t really resonate with me.but none of it was compelling. It also lacked any real sense of coherence, or overriding message. I saw that the album was recorded over a 5 year span, maybe that’s the reason. It felt more like a collection of leftovers from a series of albums, leftovers. Overall 3/5

I don’t know. Tried it before and wasn’t crazy about it. Tried it again when it came up here. Still can’t get into it

Surprised to see such a recent album here. Sadly though, I didn’t really enjoy this one. All the songs sounded the same to me, a very boring listen. But even still, none were particularly bad. 5/10 Top 3: 1. Relay 2. Cosmonauts 3. Newspaper

was aight

I still like Fiona Apple but this album didn't quite do it for me. I've been waiting for a 5 lately and this wasn't it. Could it be a 4? Maybe but I didn't find all the percussion stuff that amazing. It was fine but didn't have me saying wow. Her voice still kicks ass (she does some weird things with it though and I'm not sure I was into it) and her lyrics were good as always (more wry than on her debut which was all serious all the time). The first 5 songs were pretty good even though they sometimes went on a bit too long. I don't know, something just didn't click with me. Maybe I'm missing something.

Another that isnt my bag, but she killed this one. Still solid after all this time. Solid 3.5

I've heard of Fiona Apple before but never dabbled. The timeliness of this album seems like it would've been really cool to listen to on release. Kind of raw and unfiltered, Apple takes a lot of jabs at a lot of things here. Good as a one time listen through to me, but I don't think there's anything on the album I'd come back and bob my head to. Highlight: Under The Table Lowlight: On I Go Surprise Hit: Ladies

Strong 3, actually liked the experimental stuff at the beginning more, end felt kind of samey

Strong 3 - First half has more ups and downs, second half was more consistently good but also forgettable in parts

Definitely outside my taste, but at times I felt like I was listening to a musical, which helped keep me engaged. I also think there was some truly excellent lyricism on this album. I was more drawn to the songs in the middle than the ones at the beginning and end though.

Definitely not something I wanted to hear in the beginning. I liked it much better as it progressed. Good use of percussive elements and recording techniques that were more experimental. Enjoyed song structures.

There were some songs I enjoyed here, mostly near the middle and one near the end. The rest were kind of too eclectic for my taste. I can respect the effort to make an album like this but it doesn't gel for me as much as some folks.

Hmm. As I was listening to this, I was thinking about how I could envision a future version of myself who likes this. I can definitely understand why others like this music. It's an interesting and compelling blend of moods. That said, I don't really care for music where the singing is the main focus. I want to like this and maybe someday I will, but today is not that day.

deep album, but not a big draw for me.

It's pretty cool. She sings like a dolphin in the first track

Kind of reminds me of Kate Bush.

Starts strongly, becomes annoying about midway through. Fiona Apple, when she gets it right, is blissful, but on an album level there's always too much atonal filler. A shame because this should've been better.

Just a bit weird init

Feels like if Arctic Monkeys made and experimental album

Fiona Apple és una artista complicada, però molt interessant. Has de donar temps i paciència als seus discos, als seus temes... però la gran part dels seus treballs són growers en tota regla. Aquest 'Fetch the Bolt Cutters', publicat als albors de la pandèmia del Covid, va ser rebut com un nou triomf d'Apple, i s'ha acabat convertint en poc temps en el seu disc més representatiu. Tenint en compte que els seus 5 discos (fins 2023) són reverenciats per crítica i públic, ja és tot un què...

Alweer Fiona? Best lekker om te luisteren maar niet superleuk dit album

Beetje weird, maar hier en daar best lekker.

Dit was behoorlijk ok! Lekkere weirde vibe, en creatieve zanglijntjes.

Very eccentric. Not at all what I was expecting.

A bit of a challenging listen. It makes me think of spoken poetry with a soundtrack more than a collection of songs. It still occassionally finds a vibe with me (2nd half of ladies, cosmonauts), but overall a bit too much kitchen sink collections of ideas and eclectic production.

I was always a bit intimidated by Fiona Apple. She always felt like an art house boogeyman who was hung over as a threat to little boys and girls who casually said they liked all music. I think the weakest part is her voice which was a bit generic when surrounded by terminal quirk and an instrumental album I might have preferred, certainly for the first couple of tracks but ultimately this was pretty decent.

Interesting for sure, occasionally listenable, intermittently not. Giving an extra star for the effort.

Quirky and weird but not for me.

Rating: 3.2

Worthwhile and well made, just not made for me.

Interesting to listen to Fiona Apple, remembering the pandemic-era hype. She's definitely a singer songwriter. I think a lot of the lyrics were interesting or at least speaking to something true, but other sounded dorky. Everything in the second half is better overall, took my thoughts from a 2 to a hesitant 3.

This is just odd. She's got a good soul/jazz voice, but some of the random noises are just weird.

Someone anyone please get this artist an editor. There are some great songs (Ladies in particular) but they are somewhat buried in too many tracks, too much of the whacky production and generally too much of everything. I have listed to this before, and it did improve this time, so maybe in ten years it willbe a five, but for now its a three - really 2.5.

I like Fiona Apple's first two albums, particularly "When the Pawn...". I like her voice and some of the music on this album but the dog thing is kind of weird and the dolphin sounds at the end of the first track give me secondhand embarrassment.

Favorite song: “Shameika”. I really like Fiona Apple, but I’m not a fan of this album. The sparse-ness is a little too much for me.

Bättre än jag trodde. Lätt oförutsägbar pop.

Some of this was alright, some of it was a bit weird. Arter it finished playing, Spotify played me Faye Webster which I'd also never heard of, but quite liked. So, based on that, have 3 stars Ms Apple.

Good but a bit angsty

Good not my favorite by her

2.5

meh, not really my thing anymore. I love Shadowboxer but thats just a one off I guess

Listenable

Pidän tästä kyllä. Puhelaulua on vähän liikaa, mutta onneksi on myös soul-laulua. Kolinaahan on, mutta se on tehty mielenkiintoisesti

God vokal, rebelsk, pop

Some songs were a bit chaotic that made it difficult to enjoy and some songs we’re good

Being able to look back at this album after the absolute fervor it caused when it dropped mid-pandemic, I can appreciate it a bit more on its own and not be too put-off by the cult of personality. I definitely think this is my favorite Apple album – it's easily the most accessible and melodic, intertwining the artist's penchant for offbeat instrumentation and lyricism with creative sound design and a sense of cynical fun. The sparse back half does wear a bit thin with its overuse of strained vocals and the minimalist, near purely-rhythmic backing tracks, but overall this is a concerted and creative songwriting effort I can see myself returning to again for sure.

Mua harmittaa, etten oikein lämmennyt tälle, kanssafanittajien hehkutuksesta huolimatta. Ehkä se pahin angsti puuttui, en tiedä.

Sopivan vinksahtanut! Täytyy kuunnella uudelleen. 3/5

Haven't listened to much Fiona Apple, this was pretty good though. Fairly experimental at times, but pretty accessible overall. Might come back to this. 3.5 rounded down.

La primera parte del album me costo un monton pero under the table, ladies, cosmonauts y for her mejoraron significativamente la calidad del mismo. Destaco sus percusiones y como se basaba en una mezcla de estas con la vocalista siendo tanto intensa como suave.

A scrappy and unique collection of songs. I enjoyed listening but wouldn't say it's something I'll be reaching for in the future. I hadn't really heard this one before but I could see how it was popular early pandemic and lost some of it's appeal afterwards. Kinda like Bo Burnham Inside. Reading the reviews makes me feel like such an ignorant music fan as I honestly cannot tell that this was produced by at home by an amateur in garageband. Certainly better than I could do

Pas mauvais, mais je m'attendais à un peu plus. Ça se laissait écouté sans plus

I wish I was the type of floaty cottagecore girl who likes Fiona Apple, but I'm just not. There were a couple of good songs, but most of the album was just too random for me.

The anger, which is the heart of the matter, feels considerably less than authentic, more privileged and performative, and nothing like righteous. Does that make her a Karen? One's always struggled to like Fiona Apple for her showiness and her silly expressions of aggression. She's just updated a 30-year-old record with some new sounds and song structures and settings – some pretty inventive – but considerable sameyness (especially of tone).

No está mal, me han gustado canciones como "Under the table", "For her" y "Drumset". Lo volveré a escuchar.

Didnt listen in the correct order, might have influenced my decision

A really interesting, sometimes challenging album.

Quirky yank new york piano nerd. Like Regina Spector but older and probably slightly more exciting. I would listen to this one again but struggle to summon the energy

Really great artist and album.

Not my style

Didn't hate it but its a one and done for me.

Pop

This is the first album I've listened to by Fiona Apple and I've never heard of her before. It's an interesting album and definitely interesting. The songs are unconventional and doesn't stick to the established pop formula on how songs should sound like. I probably won't listen to this again as it wasn't for me but I'm still giving it 3/5 as it's very creative and an impressive piece of work.

1st listen; Well this is weird and of little musical enjoyment. Has Fiona Apple become Tom Waits? (in a bad way) - 1 star. 2nd listen; Hmmm there are some interesting ideas here. Not really rock music, not sure how to classify it ecxactly which always make things difficult. Has Fiona Apple become Tom Waits? (in a more accessible way) - 2.5 stars 3rd listen; OK now we have something here, almost every song has an aspect that is catching my attention and more importantly HOLDING my attention. The arrangements where before were strange and off-putting now are unique and invite further investigation. The lyrics are interesting and obviously intlligent, this was obvious from the first listen but now the arrangements invite me to listen more closely, analyze more deeply. Has Fiona Apple become Tom Waits ? (in a very good way). The answer now seems to be well perhaps but there is so much more there there. I definitely here some PJ Harvey influence now and Fiona's own voice shines through way more clearly. 3.5 stars with a bullit. (Do I wait before posting this rating, I recognize how given more time this could become a 5 star album but this is a one album per day exercise so I'm forced to give today's rating. 3.5 stars

People really love Fiona Apple but another one I can't get into. It's definitely a unique sound, and maybe it's just the hype of new music from her, but not really an album I would care about hearing again.

T3B 1. Newspaper 3. Shameika 3. Cosmonauts Surprisingly really good listen.

the early songs are pretty girl boss the later songs just don't have much energy 3.5

Pretty good. I might go back and listen to more Fiona Apple now. Weird this was chosen as the FA album you need to listen to but sure, whatever.

Feels a bit like a decent into insanity, with a splash of crazy (ex or soon to be ex?) girlfriend and just a touch of untethered mania. Certainly has some creative chord progressions, unusually lengthy notes/phrases, and a small pile of unexpected turns and shouts. Interesting listen, but not one you're going to be clamoring to hear again.

Not a fan of the industrial but the second half of the album was pretty good. Relay was my fave.

I bet I know a dirty California ln hippie type that digs this

meh

The whole experience felt free and quirky, but sometimes those quirkiness are hit or miss for me. I do enjoy some of the songs, and that's the main factor for me. I guess you could get a really creative rock album and it sounds refreshing if you hear it for the first time, but on the other hand, you get this weird singing style, odd beat, and kind of messy. I appreciate the uniqueness, but I don't dig this album much. The last part on Ladies sounds like she was casting a spell lmao.

More innovative than enjoyable. More tedious than her other albums. A great artist but and overhyped work.

thought it was alright. i can totally see the appeal of it but it's not something i found myself enjoying straight away. that being said, i thought Lady was rly good and i also enjoyed both Newspaper and Drumset

Didn't really do much for me. Lots of experimental and arty bouncing around but not much in the way of tunes or melody and it just sounded to sparse to draw me in.

Nice, but slightly formulaic with the lyricism. Has love-breakup vibes and general melancholy vibes. Overall nice but a tad repetitive.

não é ruim, mas não muito meu estilo

Like under the table

An album recorded during covid. Does that qualify for +1? Even with it's hard to rate this one too high.

I listened to this a bit when it was released, since it made many critic's top-ten lists and "Shameika" got a lot of attention. It's a brave album - experimental, quirky with unusual rhythms, heavy lyrics and no attempts to score a hit. I want to give it a higher mark but it's a bit of a challenging listen.

I liked this when it came out but I’m not agreeing with the newest inclusions, I mean where are a Moon Shaped Pool or When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go?

Fiona Apple really isn't my cup of tea.

It was okay but I was hoping for something with a bit more punch to it.

Overhyped but could listen

It's a musical extravaganza with whimsical arrangements and virtuoso vocal performances, even if the songs sometimes become so erratic that they lose their cohesion. One of the highlights is the piano playing, which unfortunately often remains in the background. As it is, it ends up being more about the lyrics than the music, and there are much better poets and novelists out there. (6/10) FT: I Want You to Love Me, Under the Table, Ladies

Very good. 3/5

Fiona Apple is brilliant. But there is just a bit too much spoken word on “Fetch the Bolt Cutters,” and too many songs that Apple is determined to add an overly weird segment just for the sake of being quirky.

I liked the homemade quality of this album. Fiona clearly has enough history in the music game to know how to stay on the good side of the line between homemade-good and homemade-bad. There was a good but cohesive mix of styles on display on this album. I really liked the darker, moodier songs on the album: for example, Newspaper, as well as Heavy Balloon, which turned out to be my favorite album on the track. This album was very percussion-forward, which is a bit experimental for an artist like Fiona, but she made it work. If Fiona ever finds herself failing as a musician, she can easily be a dolphin, because her dolphin chattering at the end of I Want You to Love Me is top notch.

Fiona Apple has a way of making things that have no business sounding good, sound great. That said, this album was a little too weird for my taste but she is a really unique talent and is worth listening to.

Leans into all the interesting idiosyncracies of Fiona Apple's music, maybe up to a point where it might be off-putting. Not great variation of theme but very inventive rhythms, lyrics, harmonies, and vocal delivery. Not everyone's cup of tea but definitely worth a few sips just to see. Shannah - 3 Bill - 3 Jane - 1 conor - 4.5 (2.875/5)

Cool

Que tan interesante 4

Heard of her, but have never listened. Will be interested to see what she's all about... First track (I Want You To Love Me) seems like I'm going to like this album...like her voice, like her style, like the piano...a little concerned about the bat noises at the end. Hopefully that's not a portent of things to come... Not a fan of this ASMR nonsense going on in Shameika The rest of the album had many of the same positive and negative aspects. Like some of it; hate some of it. Overall, a true 3/5.

Bit too grating for me in moments (I don’t need to hear your dogs barking for an extended period of time), but it was alright.

Interesting an album from 2020 made it, this is up and down for me. Overall enjoy me some Fiona

Lyrically superb, but not my sort of music.

Don’t like her vocals. Fine otherwise

a tough listen, need to give it a bit more of a go

I like Fiona Apple, but sometimes she gets a bit too eccentric for me. This was good, but not great. 3 stars.

The whole album is just a but awkward and unconventional.

Very unorthodox album, not sure I'm a fan. Typical three although closer to a 2 than a 4

Not as good as other Fiona Apple albums

This album absolutely embodies the philosophy of not giving a fuck and doing whatever the fuck you want as long as it works for you.

This is not at all my normal genre but I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought. Not something I'll listen to every day but it was a good album.

Not great, not bad. I was very conflicted listening to this because my mood regarding each song could change 14 times within the song, times it sounded so cool, mellow, pretty. And then she’d start yelling at me and I was put off.

Bueno

I listened

As much as I feel like I should, I just can't get into this. It has some interesting and somewhat catchy tunes (Shameika, I Want You to Love Me and Ladies are highlights) but I find this is overall just a trying listen. 2.5/5

Došo do pola i da svida mi se, al nije mi mood

Started off great and original, but the ending was a bit meh. Most of the songs felt the same.

Bom.

I theoretically like Fiona Apple more than I actually enjoy listening to her in general, with some exceptions. I appreciate the style and energy but I’m not always thrilled with the execution, I can see why people like her but it’s not my thing.

Enjoyed this, apart from the avant garde whale song moments. If I knew how to I'd edit all the shite out of this and it'd be even better. Will listen again and try some of her other stuff.

If Shameika said she had potential, then by golly she sure did. This is a more mature album coming from the borderline grunge princess of the 90's. It feels disjointed and all over the place sonically. Lyrically, some of her best writing. 3/5

Interesting...

Not boring. Not great. More than a Tori Amos wannabe hitting a saucepan. Occassionally suprising. Often not.

The found percussion is mildly interesting, the songs are mildly boring. A perfect 2.5 but I'll round up

I had no idea she was still active. No standout hits for me on the play through but she still sounds great. I like the weird rhythms. Hard to say if it’s a “must hear” without some historical perspective on it. But it’s decent.

6/10. I can see why this got so much hype, it’s pretty creative and Fiona Apple is a pretty good storyteller, but this album just wasn’t for me

I liked this a lot less than I was expecting. 5/10

Mir zu unstet…

I started listening to Fiona Apple a few weeks prior to doing this and her music is something. But this album isn't for me.

Interesting, but not really my thing

Overrated p4k music

Pretty unique and interesting

Who? What? Wiki says it's "Rooted in experimentation, the album largely features unconventional percussion." Yeh, hard to put a finger on, interesting and different and not unenjoyable.

I love her voice, piano playing and the lyrics. Really interesting and this could have been a 4 star but some parts are too jazzy for my tastes.

Interesting and imaginative.

Decent and different. Too jazzy in places though

Core blimey

Not my thing. Kooky yet generic… if that’s possible.

Interesting album. Good lyrics and themes. Not my usual thing, but I appreciate the work.

I love Fiona Apple, but I feel like this album is more than a little overrated and the buzz around it overshadows the superior previous album, Idler Wheel. That being said, it's not a bad album at all. For Her is an amazing song.

I felt like I was stuck in the whitest Starbucks imaginable waiting for too big a cup of something I didn't order.

I made it about halfway through. It was terrible but I just never went back to it after being pulled away. A pretty egregious inclusion if we’re all being honest here.

What the hell is the wailing at the end of the first song...? Already a strong start towards the bottom. It wasn't quite that bad after the initial shock, but the songs seemed quite bitchy.

Day999 - tidal is great but fetch the bolt cutters is to deep in the fiona apple catalog for me

Fiona Apple - Fetch the Bolt Cutters Who knew the sound of someone having a breakdown could be kind of listenable. The DIY ethic is endearing but, over 50 minutes, also a little bit trying. Each song tends to just pick up from wherever the last left off, but each does have just enough quirk to hold you to the end. And.....infinitely better than the other Fiona Apple on this list. Best Track - Cosmonauts was lots of fun Worst Track - Under the Table. 5/10

I'm sure it's good if you like Fiona Apple. I never really cared, so I don't really care much here either.

This was listenable but didn’t give me any reason to want to

I just can't get into the vocals and the instrumentation doesn't do enough to keep me engaged.

Umm not for me. Her stuff sounds almost more spoken word than music. And her lyrics I don't really get into or want to follow along with. This was a bit of a stretch to give my attention to

..

I want to like Fiona Apple but she does not make it easy 😐

meh

ero molto curiosa avendo solo sentito parlare positivamente di fiona apple… non riascolterei

Big fan of Fiona Apple. Not a big fan of this album.

something between weird and ok

Not for me

Good album, not sure it’s quite as good as it is hyped up to be. Feels very RYM core, made for a very specific audience or time maybe? That’s good enough.

2.5 stars for me.

I remember her name coming up in the late 90's music scene but not familiar with her music. She's got some interesting vocals going on which can be very rhythmic in flow and repetition. I enjoyed them the most when she got all husky and bluesy in tone. This album feels very personal and would probably make for a good headphones listen while lying in the dark. Seemed very feminist driven in the lyrics which is not really my thing. I can see how people would be fans but this one didn't do much for me.

Not at all like what I was familiar with of Fiona (“Criminal”); this was more avante-grade/experimental with a bit of Tori Amos flow. 2.5/5.

Frenetic - listening made me feel stressed out

I dont like the genre itself

hat mir nicht gefallen, nervige stimme und meldien

Ist mir eindeutig zu alternativ und abgedreht. Zwischenweise nicht schlecht, aber das hat es nicht gerettet.

Not for me

More less.

This was a challenging listen. But in a way I could appreciate. It wasn't like so many other albums on this list which have been challenging because they're either boring or straight up noise - neither of which this album is. I think the lyrics are the strongest point (even though they didn't particularly resonate with me). The repetitive chanting is sorta a double-edged sword, though. On the one hand, it really hammers home the message and gives the listeners a little mantra of sorts to take with them. But on the other hand, monotonously beating the listeners over the head with the same line really blunts the cleverness of the quip. I find one-line zingers in a song much more compelling and effective. I listened to this twice, and I don't think this is something I'd ever revisit because it's less "music" and more "mood". And this isn't really a mood I personally identify with nor one I would want to put myself in for grins. Still, I can respect the art of this and recognize its value - especially Fiona's personal efforts and the underproduction techniques that were used.

I struggled with this. I got what she was doing, it just didn’t land. Too weird and not enough interesting.

44/100

Tidal je od mene isto dobio dvicu ali sad mi se u odnosu na ovo čini kao genijalan album, ovo je jednostavno loše a ono je bilo "samo" monotono.

Oh weird I just did Tidal for this list a few days ago. Wtf wdym 2020 was 6 years ago... I looked up how old she was and was like huh she doesn't look 50. Alright I keep putting this review off, I need to move on. I want to like it and give it time but to be honest I'm kind of annoyed and bored while listening.

I appreciate how fucking weird it is, but after listening to a bit more than half of it I found myself wanting to listen to something that's actually pleasant. Might go back to this someday.

This album's for somebody but it sure ain't me. I want to say it has interesting ideas but they don't go anywhere. Sure it's angry and unashamed, but that energy isn't enough to carry this. And when it gets what I'd call interesting it doesn't seem to do anything with it. I want to like it, it has all these things I like but they all seem to land flat for me. Maybe it' sme.

I get why critics love it, but not my cup of tea at all

This is the second album I have here on this list. The first one, Tidal, I really liked. But this, recorded 24 years later, is nothing like that one. Simply boring.

JL : 2, Newspaper A : 2, Shameika

Eclectic, folky pop?

no sé que pensar de Fiona Apple. otros albumes de ella me habían gustado, pero hasta ahí. prefiero cuando canta a esa cosa rara de medio que cantar hablando. tiene un par de temas que zafan pero en general la verdad no lo escucharía devuelta

no banqué mucho, suena como si mac miller hubiese querido lucrar de su depresion y se haya olvidado de instrumentos.

Fiona, I lived your first few albums. Saw you live and enjoyed it. Good time were had. Not with this album though. The songs all started out strong and ended with weirdness. It's like you had no one in the studio to hold you back when the spirit of Yoko took over and you went off the reservation into weird artist valley. I get it. You've always been the art lady but it seems like you gave up on the rest of us with this one.

Wanted to like it. Didn't.

Couldn't. What she started barking i turned it off

This is #day689 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… here's to crossing out another artist off the list. So you're saying this record ended up here because it marked Fiona Apple's comeback. I see. Well, it's so all over the place and "artsy" that it holds little merit to me. I genuinely don't get the level of acclaim for this artist. I felt relieved (actually pretty annoyed) when this was finally over. This is a 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day690.

fell off after her 1st album (many such cases)

This list pisses me of in the same ways documented by many others. Why am I having to endure another Fiona Apple album when there are so many worthy artists not even included? See also over-representation from some other artists too. Rant over. Like the previous FA album I’ve had on here, there is nothing particularly remarkable about this. It actually sounds like the pandemic album that it is, which I guess is remarkable in itself. It fares slightly better than Tidal, as it seems a little more adventurous and slight less generic. She is obviously talented, but there is nothing particularly amazing here.

An album that has some nice ideas and some weird delivery. The instrumentals are rich but as a whole I found it, mostly forgettable. I can't say that anything really stood out. There are moments in which Fiona's vocals shine but those are surrounded by mostly melodic narration which in that case is a disservice. The album also comes across as quirky, though not in a way that worked for me. I liked "Shanmeika".

Is it me or is this a lackluster production wise album? The vocals seem hollow. I could expand. Lyrically it’s a bit flat as well. Not even close to her powerhouse days. Shes been through a lot, I get it. She’s taking that Tori Amos route of not being seen as anything else but a musician, I get it. This album seems to just be mailed in. I get it, it’s during covid. Without doing my research, she probably recorded it at home. Ok ok. But still. It’s hollow and lacks home run hitters. There are songs that keep this album afloat, if I can say something to keep this serviceable. Under the table Rack of His On I Go All somewhat save face. But still. I’m disappointed

Idt I’m a Fiona guy

Chaotic and abrasive like tom waits

This started out promising but just followed to the next kooky track ad infinitum.

I found this album difficult to like. I can see some value in the open and modern female perspective that is missing in a lot of this list and i appreciate the volume and variety of ideas. However, i just really didnt enjoy listening to it and it lacked any real tunes ir joy.

Not my cup of tea. Some good moments though

Not for me.

This is very meh for me

I know I'm definitely not the target audience but this album was a pretty tough listen. This is music made for women with septum piercings and Subaru drivers. That should explain it

If Portishead - Dummy is Nigella Lawson, Fetch the Boltcutters is a hobo under a bridge with a crack spoon. Can see why this is highly commended and the second half of the album almost pulled it back for me, but sometimes you just need to concede when a record simply isn't your cuppa tea.

Fiona Apple didn't cook here. I like her earlier work, but this does little for me. It's certainly a bit more boundary pushing than her earlier stuff, so I can see why it works well for music nerds. Perhaps just a little too out there for me though, it kind of takes away from my enjoyment here.

It feels like I have to think of a reason why I don't really like this. But I just don't like it. It's not the worst worst, but I don't want to listen to it again now that I've heard it all the way through.

# Album Name: Fetch The Bolt Cutters # Artist: FA # Rating: 2/5 # Comments: Meh. # Top Tunes: # Would I listen to it again? No

Not exactly what I was expecting from Fiona Apple, having only heard the early hits from her debut. From the historical records it seems this album's success was largely due to a subject matter of oppression and isolation timed with the terrifyingly raw new normal of COVID lockdown. Humorous, good melodies, interesting lyricism, with some wacky bits thrown in... I still hear the parallels drawn with Tori Amos.

Wow. An album from during the pandemic? Very different from her other music. But another example of an ugly album cover.

Really expected to love this but it just like a bunch of failed experiments mixed together. Love her other stuff but this wasn't for me

You're telling that in the almost 2 million commercial albums released in the roughly 70 years since the 1st album on this list, Fiona fucking Apple deserves 1 of them, let ALONE 2. Utter madness. 0.2% of the albums I HAVE to listen to before I die are by a woman who can't even write a decent lyric and produces music presumably using recording equipment she found in a bin.

Demasiado alternativo. Letras largas y sin fin. No tiene hilo conductor

Nope, not for me thanks. I found it a struggle and didn't enjoy it. My loss. Fine. Whatever.

Not great. Whiny and annoying tbh. Hard pass.

4/10

This should be brilliant. The music actually is. It’s interesting and layered and experimental. Unfortunately, Fiona is completely and aggressively incapable of writing a lyric. She repeat-chants the same words over and over and over and over and over until it swallows the brilliance below and reduces it to pure turdage. Someone should’ve stopped her. Producers have real jobs. This album is such a waste, it actually made me angry.

What an irritating vocal. Glad that’s over.

Want to like this more expecting an easier listen. Although very clever, a bit experimental and her commentary is decent. Not sure I’ll need to rush back.

I remember trying and failing to get into this one back when people were going bonkers over it during the pandemic. My opinion of it hasn’t changed; I respect the experimentation and I think Fiona Apple has a really great voice, but so much about this album is so off-putting to me that I can’t really enjoy it.

Good addition. Mostly annoys me, personally. Got sick of hearing about it in 2020. Fantano music: minus 1 star. To address a random review: I'm quite sure that more than 3 female artists debuted in the 90s. Liz Phair cooler anyway.

I like something more melodic and with more flow. This didn't work for me.

Sigh.... Just because something is interesting, doesn't make it good. I really like Fiona Apple and her wordsmithing but I don't care for this album. Great musicianship at times but for what? Disjointed and irritating. Like a bad Tom Waits album... what's he doing over there? Complaining and being annoying. If this album spent more time finding a groove instead of trying to be different, you'd have a beauty.

Really good piano on the first couple of tracks, but the vocals are strange and not sure I like it. This is much less melodic than I expected, it feels almost improvised, like someone turned a slam poetry session into an album. The next couple of songs are a little more accessible, although neither must have gotten much radio play. Under The Table is strong with more of the same fey music and good lyrics. She really opts for repetitive elements, unmusical at times, and lyrics seemingly designed to bludgeon. It may be too much for me. The high point by far is Cosmonauts - what a vocal hook in the chorus. Overall, there's good moments here so I am tempted to give it *** but I just can't. A difficult listen.

I respect what went into making this album but the overall experience of listening to it left me feeling cold

The style for this one didn't quite work for me. I know this was big during COVID, but I never really listened to it then so it doesn't have that association for me, whether for good or bad. It probably would have hit harder for me at that time. Favorite track: "Cosmonauts"

Unique use of a bathing dog in an apartment sound

It’s not bad, but eventually it’s too annoying.

If you can get past the initial quirk factor, there are actually some interesting sketches, but they could have greatly benefitted from some editing and arranging ... and developing them into actual good songs, which never happens. Oh, they left a barking dog in the song that the mic picked up accidently ... WHAAA, SO ARTSY AND EXPERIMENTAL. The kick drum sounds really nice, though. Great amount of low end "oomph", but sharp and punchy at the same time, the tail being short enough not too muddy up everything else.

You have to respect that she wasn't complacent between 1996 and 2020. However Tidal is so much better than this.

Ok 2/5

odd new album they gave us from 2020

I don't mind unconventionality in music, but this album did not do it well. Lots of weird sounds coming from her and random things like dogs barking. What's that all about? The lyrics are weird and the production isn't that good either. The album gets worse with each song, but there are times throughout I enjoyed the music. Overall, not my thing.

No me atrapó

a very difficult listen

I really don’t get the hype on this one. It sounds like a bunch of half-finished ideas thrown together instead of actual songs. The whole thing feels messy in a way that isn’t interesting, just annoying. The production drove me nuts. It’s all clanking, stomping, and random noise that never really comes together. Instead of adding character, it just makes everything feel scattered and hard to sit through.

started off so great. 2.5

Huh

The effect of COVID-19 on the human brain will be studied forever…

I have a bit of a soft spot for this album. It came out at the start of Covid and listening to it bored and stoned it felt very unique and profound. But, some of the tracks I saved have been instant skips in the years since. Some albums take a few listens to love, this album is the opposite.

Jag vet att jag försökte mig på den här ett par tre gånger när den kom. Jag återvände aldrig men den hade och har nåt. En uppriktighet kanske? Och nä det är inte särskilt bra men det väcker nån form av nyfikenhet hos mig av nån anledning. "Heavy balloon" är en rätt bra låt annars är det tunt på den fronten. Klarar tvåan tack vare egensinnet och att den öppnar öronen lite grann på en.

Det här är bättre än Tidal som också finns med i boken. Mer experimentell. En del roliga pratsjungna texter. I längden kanske lite störig. Men i alla fall inte meningslös musik som Tidal.

Fiona Apple har alltså två album med i boken. Det här är betydligt bättre än Tidal. Gillar det akustiska men ändå stora soundet på skivan. Texterna uppfattar jag som närmast dagboksanteckningar, men det blir lite amatörteater av det hela, särskilt i Relay och Newspaper. Första halvan är helt klart lyssningsbart, men sen tröttnar jag. Det finns tendenser till att bli en karaoke-version av Janis Joplin.

First song I heard was pretty boring and sounded like banging on pots and pans Couole good songs but mostly songs I didn’t like

Not sure I needed a second album from FA. It’s fine. Not great. No songs really wowed me. 2.5

She has a decent voice. Seems like an album a young person would make. Very surprised she's knocking 50 years old

I couldn't handle that ....

This plays like someone’s senior art project that they’re super proud of. My favorite part is that it ends in 40 minutes.