The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw And Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do
by Fiona Apple

In my book, one of the most underappreciated albums ever recorded. The minimalist, chromatic piano arrangements are a perfect match Apple's ferocious vocals. Lyrically, very personal and vivid. Songs like "Werewolf" and "Valentine" are subtle melodies with lyrics that gets under your skin, while tracks such as "Jonathan", "Left Alone", and "Regret" perfectly capture Fiona's fluttering state of mind. "Every Single Night" is a perfect opener that draws you in with the verses, then slaps you across the face with the chorus. The peppy "Anything We Want" is the only happy song on the album, acting as a nice relief to the distress. The closer "Hot Knife" starts with a simple timpani rhythm, then builds layer upon layer of vocals that speak conflicting thought about whether Fiona is above the man she loves or if he's above her. The entire album almost feels like you're inside her head, hearing her tortured thoughts as she barely manages to hold onto her sanity during a break-up. It's a modern classic.

This album sounds like it was made by a irrational, childish girl on her first period after breaking up with her fiance. And It is fucking awesome.
This is the only non-African album I can think of that's completely hellbent on percussion besides Reich's Drumming.
Almost every chorus has a built in one-liner of badassery.

Take a quick survey of these motherfuckin' lines:
"Every single night I endure the flight of little white flame, butterflies in my brain... every single night's a fight with my brain"
"Seek me out! Look at, look at, look at, look at me! I'm all the fishes in the sea"
"Anything and anyone that you have done has got to be alright with me. If she's part of the reason you are how you are she's alright with me. Just tolerate my little fist tugging at your forest chest."
"I don't cry when I'm sad anymore"
"I could liken you to a werewolf the way you left me for dead, but I admit that I provided a full moon"
"Nothing wrong when a song ends in a minor key"
"All that loving must have been lacking something if I got bored trying to figure you out"
"My cheeks were reflecting the longest wavelength"
"And I kept touching my neck to guide your eye to where I wanted you to kiss me when we find some time alone"
"If I'm butter, then he's a hot knife"

AOTY 2012 ya'll

From pearljammer13 TOP 100 COMMENTER 12/28/2014 13:22 | #130268 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Two years later and this has only gotten better, one of my all time favorites now. I just love how she's so in control of her instrument, while at the same time she seems on the edge of insanity both lyrically and vocally. And how good is the percussion? Truly unique all around.

From sophialeviev 05/21/2018 03:03 | #215327 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Should be rated higher. This album is ridiculously slept on. Incredible vocals, experimental singing and instrumentation, soulful lyrics. There are lines here that just make me cry because they're so good. If you rate this lower than a 8.5/9/10, I strongly recommend you revisit it.

I think this is a grower - heard it twice and the second time I thought much more of it.
Could grow to become my favourite album of 2012.
Brilliant album ending, very original.