What I absolutely love and appreciate for any artist is being a songwriter, not just a performer. One of my favourite alternative rock, jazz, art pop vocalist and songwriter is the beautiful and gorgeous Fiona Apple! An american singer-songwriter,record producer and a pianist. She is a true inspiration for the humanity. Extraordinary talent, amazing creativity, unique and beautiful voice and all that packed in one package! For Fiona Apple I would say that her perfectionism is based on her imperfections! A unique and original in her style.
Let me share with you the album I decided to write about: - The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do (2012)
Even on the first sight, when we see the title of the album we can conclude that we are talking for a unique piece of art! The name of her fourth album is actually from a poem that she has written. Interesting fact is that she started working on this album secretly (without any pressures) and later on, Apple opted to produce the album with her touring drummer Charley Drayton.
In one Magazine interview Fiona explained:For years now, in many of my notebooks, there would always be something about an idler wheel. I like the idea of the idler wheel—it just sits in between things, but it makes such a big difference in the way that the machine is working.That concept has always been something that has interested me, but I didn’t really know why. Now I feel like it connects with feeling everything because I’ve gone through a lot of attacking things in my life—like, “There’s a problem here, I have to do something about this,” or “I’m not useful unless I’m doing some kind of job.” It’s to the point where I feel like I’m not really a full human. I used to feel like, “I’m not a functional person because I don’t go on lunch dates with friends. I hear about people having dinner parties but I never do that. I’m not really human.” But if I were to imagine myself as an idler wheel inside some big mix of gears, then I would be connected to everything.
This acoustic album in the first plan is including her voice and words, the Piano and specific rhythm for every song that is achieved by using different instruments,sounds and effects. She is also using different instruments like Marimba, celesta, hand drums etc. I find also very interesting that the piano is often used as a rhythmic percussive instrument. Other thing that I find fascinating about this album is the way she create her phrases. It is actually a mix of a speaking, yelling and singing, which builds a stronger relationship between the listener and the artist. I kind of feel like she is telling me all the lyrics directly to me.
For the end my favorite track from this album is the last "Hot Knife" that closes the album. About this track I can say that is the closest song that can be released as a single. I experience the story of this song as a passion and sensuality towards “him” and she cannot hide how much he attracted her, and in a some way he is forbidden for her.
