Extraordinary Machine by Fiona Apple (CD, Oct-2005, Epic USA)

This cd came out of left field and knocked me completely off of my feet. I guess I was expecting another WHEN THE PAWN, but from the very first notes of EXTRAORDINARY MACHINE, I knew this was a completely different, and very special album.

The title track reminds me of a Diana Krall jazz number. In fact a lot of the tracks have a very piano driven jazzy feel to them, with very interesting and thoughtfully included instrumentaion that isn't typically associated with "popular" albums. Marimba's, horns of all kinds, and I even some strings sneaking in from time to time.

Look, I've only owned this album for a day now, but it's already become one of my favorite's. I'm loving exploring the lyrics, listening to Fiona's captivating voice, discovering the nuances of the instrumentation and rhythms.....I am enchanted.

Boo-hiss to the record label that held on to this jem for so long. When are they going to learn that it's the differences that make the music challenging, and that we enjoy? IMHO, the industry would be much stronger if we had more innovators like Fiona Apple creating art like this album! The song PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE say's it all - "Give us something familiar; something similar to what we know already. That will keep us steady, steady going NOWHERE!"

EXTRAORDINARY is the perfect word for this album!