Did Fiona Apple Just Release a Perfect Album?
Since 1996, Fiona Apple has only ever had one hit, \u201cCriminal.\u201d Nonetheless, every album she\u2019s released has been nominated for a Grammy. Her newest work, Fetch The Bolt Cutters, has received near universal acclaim. Apple\u2019s songs are simultaneously idiosyncratic and relatable, tackling unusual themes for pop songs: middle school bullies, uncomfortable dinner conversation, toxic masculinity and female friendship. Apple accompanies her idiosyncratic lyrics with homemade percussion and only minimal piano. The final product is on the borderline between crafted composition and impromptu improvisation. It is this duality which makes the work relatable and timeless. Her two song suite \u201cI Want You To Love Me\u201d and \u201cShameika\u201d have connections to Beethoven, Yeats, and Patti Smith, which we break down in the first half. And listeners call in during the second half to share what moved them about the album.\xa0\nSongs Discussed\n\nFiona Apple - Fast As You Can, Criminal, Under The Table, I Want You To Want Me, Shameika, Fetch The Bolt Cutters, Ladies, Heavy Balloon\xa0\n\nBeethoven - Moonlight Sonata\n\nPatti Smith - Gloria: In Excelsis Deo\n\nVan Morrison - Gloria\n\n\nSupport explainer journalism \u2014 all things pop included \u2014 by making a contribution to Vox today: Visit\xa0bit.ly/givepodcasts.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices