She's been a bad, bad girl.
With debut album "Tidal," Fiona Apple's throaty vocals and sultry lyrics gained her widespread recognition. Now, after a few years of releasing nothing but a cover of the Beatles' "Across the Universe" for "Pleasantville," Apple is back with an equally embittered new album.
With an irritatingly long album title, "When the Pawn ..." (only the first three words are used to describe a title of 90), Apple's newest release may induce a roll of the eyes in even the most loyal of fans. But beneath its stale exterior, "When the Pawn ..." demonstrates Apple's versatility.
The album is a definite departure from the mellower sounding "Tidal," but differences between the two discs are subtle and listeners may have difficulty pinpointing them. "Tidal"'s lounge-singer mood does not continue in "When the Pawn...," although lyrical similarities still resonate. Instead, Apple's second album is harder and relies less on melodic piano backgrounds to create a distinct ambience.
Making up for, at times, dull and predictable lyrics, "When the Pawn ..." redeems itself through unexpected musical elements and strong, heartfelt delivery. Unique rhythm and syncopation dominate the album as Apple consistently surprises with twists and turns in tone, dynamics and key changes.
Whereas "Tidal" mainly demonstrated smooth and flowing sounds, "When the Pawn ..." is jerkier and more abrupt. The first track on the disc, "On the Bound," begins with a sudden, techno-inspired entrance into what later sounds like a more repetitive, Portishead-like rhythm. After settling into a more defined tone, the song exhibits a jazzy transition into a chorus of unsettling moaning.
Continuing the trend of a more drum-based and synthesized background in contrast with piano melody, "To Your Love" blends harsh vocals with a fast-paced and unbroken chorus. However, in "Limp," the third track on the disc, the minor chords of a gradual piano progression provide a sinister mood followed by another wrathful shouting session. "Limp" embodies the stark contrast between the two albums. Compared to disturbing lyrics such as, "You wanna make me sick / You wanna lick my wounds" and "You fondle my trigger, then you blame my gun / And when I think of it, my fingers turn to fists," "Tidal" is relatively relaxed.
"Fast as You Can," the album's first single, is just that - fast and frenetic. Providing a tense mood, the track expresses a pleasant anxiety. Apple's creativity and flexibility as a soloist become apparent with the tune's collage of different tones and the track proves to be one of the most interesting songs on the album.
"A Mistake" and "The Way Things Are" also reveal Apple's unusual song-writing abilities. "A Mistake" offers a soothing shuffling beat with a not-so-soothing message as Apple croons, "Do I really wanna feel I'm forced to / Answer you, hell no / I've acquired quite a taste for a well-made mistake." "The Way Things Are" has a similar swaying feel to it and although the songs are two of the best on the album, their similarities show that Apple's knack for change from album to album is not as apparent within the second disc.
Even with songs that seem to run together a little too often, "When the Pawn ..." is by no means a sophomore slump album. Apple's continued experimentation and rare innovation is evidence of her staying power. Fiona fans will most likely embrace her new sound, enjoying the same emotionally intense lyrics in a different form.
Grade: B+
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