The final and least popular of her three debut albums, Extraordinary Machine by Fiona Apple, is one of my favorite albums of all time. After several delays, it was released in 2005 to much excitement and critical acclaim. The title track, “Extraordinary Machine,” was leaked in February 2004, adding to the anticipation created by the delays. Extraordinary Machine had a goal of expanding her sound, and it definitely reached and surpassed that goal.
The album Extraordinary Machine has its own feel that I haven’t heard in any other songs. It is so unique that I can’t think of any genre that it fits into. This was the first Fiona Apple album I bought on vinyl, and I think that was a great decision. This album already sounds good on its own, but when listened to on vinyl, it gives an entirely different experience. Apple wrote this album with the vision of a machine turning pain into music. This is exemplified in the title track, “Extraordinary Machine.”
My review of the songs follow:
“Extraordinary Machine”
This song sounds like a fable made into a song. It has a very curious sound, and the backing tracks sound like a small mouse walking on its tiptoes. Its purpose was to tell people who care about her that she is able to moderate and harness her pain and hardships to turn them into music.
“O’ Sailor”
This is a deeply personal song that I can relate to, and it was the one that made me interested in this album. It is about navigating difficult relationships, self-doubt, and the struggle between staying in a familiar, albeit flawed, situation versus breaking free. From the first listen, “O’ Sailor” spoke to me in a way I didn’t understand until I listened closely to the lyrics. The vocals in this song are very addictive and constantly get stuck in my head.
“Get Him Back”
This is definitely my favorite song of this album, and possibly even my favorite song of hers. The piano, tuba, bassoon, and flute used in this song create a very beautiful euphonic beat. This song is a clear expression of her trauma from past relationships. This trauma shapes her life by making her used to being treated poorly and eventually feeling uncomfortable when the right man comes along.
“Tymps (The Sick in the Head Song)”
“Tymps” was the first song that stood out to me in this album. It is titled “Tymps” because of the timpani drums used throughout the song, which is the first song I have heard use timpani. This song sounds haunting while still keeping an upbeat vibe. I think it’s about being trapped in a cycle of leaving a toxic relationship then being pulled back into it.
Many people claim Fiona Apple is a one-hit wonder because of her song “Criminal;” however, this could not be farther from the truth. Fiona Apple is to millennials as Mitski is to Gen-Z. Her fame has persisted far past her most popular times, and she still maintains a large, loyal following. She has her own unique sound and explores different aspects of it in each album. This album is just one facet of her lyricism and composing skills, and I strongly suggest listening to all of her albums.
