This is the first 10 I've give out all year, and the 10 I've been compelled to write about. This magnificent album never ceases to expel beautifully unstable poetry over riveting and compelling songwriting. Fiona has really outdone herself. Waste no more time reading reviews, spend it with this album instead, for it is surely the album of the year (of the apocalypse), if there ever was one.

Surprisingly much better than I thought it would be, deep lyrics with a impressively low and raw production that still manages to get much emotion across. Well worth your money, I doubt anything this year will be this good.

After 7 years of waiting "The Idler Wheel..." released, and when you listened to it you get that it worth seven years of waiting. in her new album she's stronger and fearless than ever. it's more emotional and also her lyrics improved much more than her previous records but as same as her old stuff it's not easy to understand. welcome back Ms. Apple.

"The Idler Wheel" shows what music is in a purely artistic manner. Not written to contain a top 40 hit, or buy another car or house... but to convey an emotional response from the listener. The raw nature of the songs somehow seems to leave less to mask what it is being expressed in each song. It's not something I would consider "accessible" to the pop community, but any musician or really any true artist should be able to appreciate what this album is and what it brings to the table.… Expand

All I can say is that Fiona Apple has been gone for a long time but her comeback is untouchable, for an album to be this good and have very little promotion is not heard off. Album of the Year contender for sure.

everyone who's familiar with the music of Fiona's, knows what she's able to deliver. She is definitely back , - with a more intimate and tricky album. Fiona is one of those artists you'd wait for no matter how long it takes for her to come up with a piece of art. "The Idler Wheel.." is a story of hers - therefore it isn't an album about you - for once, a record that's about the artist herself. " An artistic, sarcastic & strong biography of Apple you can say". The album is a masterpiece. Fiona is very intelligent and talented, and knows when it's times to put up another record. (7 years - and we've got it). The Idler Wheel may be the best album over the past 12 years. You will have to listen to this album more than once. (Be patient with Fiona - she's worth it). I can't pick a favourite on The Idler Wheel because they're all strong and important. 10/10… Expand

This album is a game changer. Most of Fiona's albums feel that way but this one is particularly so. Its brooding and intense and by contrast also whimsical and free spirited. To call this album sparse wouldn't necessarily be a misnomer but upon multiple cursory listens you begin to hear the subtle nuances in the arrangements both vocal and musical tempered by all of the unique found sound samples (children screaming, bottle factory, foot dragging on gravel). Charlie Drayton has proven a perfect music counterpart to Fiona. He adds unique percussive touches without ever drowning out Fiona's voice and piano. As much as I LOVE Jon Brion, he tended to do with with his everything and the kitchen sink production flourishes. This is Fiona's most emotionally naked album yet. Not to mention there are even some vulgarities in the lyrics. They are never there for the sake of being there though. They serve their illustrative purpose. "I ran out of white dove feathers to soak up the hot piss that comes from your mouth every time you address me." Talk about lacerating lyrical venom. The album feels like the purest form Fiona has taken while there are still nods to work past. The discordant piano line running through "Jonathan" is a dead ringer for the equally discordant piano in the Jon Brion version of "Oh Sailor". Its ominous and foreboding while also adding a touch of whimsy. Album closer "Hot Knife" is little else than the rumble of tympani drums and layers upon layers of Fionas vocals with her sister Maude Maggart (cabaret prodigy) on high harmony. The effect is dizzying, confounding and most importantly ecstatic. With this album Fiona has reconciled with her part in every breakup shes had while also touching on the inner workings of a brain that simply refuses to slow down. As a long time fan this album feels like a culmination. Like Fiona has just reached the peak of her Kilimanjaro, but all of her past records felt that way too. Even if it takes another 7 years for the next album, I simply cannot wait to see how she's able to once again raise the bar for herself and her peers.… Expand

O que falar de um álbum como o de Fiona Apple? Genial? Esquizofrênico? Brilhante? Insano? Que tal: tudo isso e mais um pouco.

Desde que foi revelada em 1996 com o aclamado Tidal, Fiona se tornou uma das "rainhas" do mundo indie apesar do sucesso no mundo mainstream. Uma artista complexa em todas as suas características, Fiona ficou sete anos sem lançar um trabalho (o último foi em 2005 com Extraordinary Machine). Esse ano ela resolver sair da toca e lançar The Idler Wheel... (outra característica dela são os nomes gigantescos para os álbuns) que vem recebendo as melhores criticas da impressa especializada no ano até agora. E devo dizer que merece, mesmo não sendo exatamente fã. The Idler Wheel... não é para todos. Fique claro isso, pois quem só curte eletropop e CIA vai achar uma merda a sonoridade minimalista de Fiona. Nisso é que o álbum encontra seu maior brilho na construção impecável de arranjos impressionantes que usam e abusam de sons e instrumentos inusitados para criar uma excepcional, intrigada e poderosa rede de sonoridades. Esse ano vai ser difícil ver um artista tão preocupado em ir além do que se pode ir e chegar um pouco mais além do que a gente imagina. Devo dizer que fiquei boiando um pouco nas complexas composições de Fiona, mas aos poucos as texturas de cada canção vão ganhando forma na minha cabeça. Trabalho provocante e de inteligência refinada. Vocalmente, Fiona não precisa de muita coisa para se encaixar no meio dessa loucura. Dona de uma voz poderosa que poderia ser usada para pop de primeira qualidade, mas Fiona não se entrega nada para o caminho fácil. Performances avassaladoras e cheias de personalidades em cada canção. Não tem com ressaltar faixas como melhores, pois The Idler Wheel... é um trabalho para ser escutado inteiro. Depois você pode escolher qual adjetivo melhor se encaixa para a definição do trabalho de Fiona. Contudo, uma coisa é certa: não é um trabalho para ser esquecido.… Expand

I am floored. This is Fiona's "art" album. Everyone thought it was Extraordinary Machine, which, while good, was kind of a hot mess. I mean, the leaks, the re-workings, the misunderstandings that led to the Free Fiona protests, "Window" and "Please Please Please" sounding so overworked that they were ultimately overwrought, etc. To put simply, that album that everyone freaked out over, and was such a masterpiece, is completely eclipsed by this cohesive, complete, sonically and emotionally jarring piece of work. No one is making records like this any more. No one but Fiona Apple.… Expand

An album made ​​for people who can understand it, their low sales refer to mass culture imposed by the media. Don't sold much because much of the current population is not able to interpret it, to understand what it means and were guided to hearing songs completely different and boring like Nicki Minaj and Rihanna, even the strange Adole. Too bad for those who reject this masterpiece, because they are having a chance to completely change your viewpoint about anything just hearing the ten tracks that make up the best album of the year.… Expand

Great album! She hasn't publishing any CDs for seven years, but "The Idler Wheel..." (what a long title!) is worth the wait! With no exageration, I can easily say this is gonna be the best album of 2012 so far!

Fiona can do no wrong. Every song on this album is absolutely breathtaking. Her emotion, her songwriting, everything is perfectly captured in these songs. The thing that makes this record stand apart from the rest of her work is how stripped-down and focused each song is. This is truly Fiona's masterpiece.

Nevermind the album title; Fiona Apple has delivered one of the best albums to come out of 2012. Simply dripping with raw emotion and gut, you can feel Fiona's pain, heartache and suffering on every song as she pours her heart and soul out onto these masterpieces. Sonically the album is fascinating, as Fiona blends traditional drums, piano and occasionally bass with oddball percussion that will boggle the mind. My only criticism is that Fiona should try to release albums more frequently; 7 years is too long for someone of her caliber!… Expand

I enjoy listening to this album very much. She's doing things she hasn't done before and the results are just wonderful. Genius! So far, best album of the year!!!

I had to really devote a lot of my time to this album but it was completely worth it. Apple almost makes an album that's better than Extraordinary Machine, almost. Each track is beautifully written and sung with raw emotion. All in All, The Idler Wheel... is a fantastic album. A-

A Remarkable album on every single musical level. Last year PJ Harvey brought out 'Let England Shake' where Mike Williams of the NME stated "Francis Ford Coppola can lay claim to the war movie. Ernest Hemingway the war novel. Polly Jean Harvey, a 41-year-old from Dorset, has claimed the war album,"

With this album Fiona Apple captures the greatest break-up album we will ever hear. Every one of this albums 10 tracks is remarkable and each song will leave an indelible imprint in your mind forever.

Its not often that an album with this much hype live's up to all the anticipation, but it most certainly does. Its the album that will remain strong forever. It will never get week. It will always be able to be played and its verver will resonate in your heart whenever you need to feel the love of great music.

I give this album a 10 out of 10 as it will certainly be in my top 10 albums of 2012 list.

My words cannot express enough how worthwhile it is to experience this album right this very second!… Expand

Great musical achievement! For me, this is the second best album of the year after Frank Ocean's "Channel Orange". This is a lot better than anything Fiona has released so far. Try it!

After my first listen to the album, I hate it!!! It was nothing like Fiona Apples previous work. After giving it a chance and listening to it, I started notcing how special this album is! This is her best Album to date! very very deep! The more you listen to it, the more grand it gets! amazing!!! 10 out of 10 stars!!

It's not a easy album to listen and understand. But when it flows inside your head, you feel every and each intention of hers in each music. It's mesmerizing the way she sings, and the songwriting is the best since 'Tidal'. The only low points is the voice tone that is too much changeable. She remains bold and sharp for the (good) music industry. Best ones are "Hot Knife", "Every Single Night" and "Werewolf".… Expand

Honestly, if you are on the fence with Fiona Apple, listen to "Hot Knife". This song showcases all of her talent in one song. I can't express how happy I am that this record is among us and how great it was composed with Fiona's wonderful jazzy pop style and a wide variety of songs that all sound like a new experience. Great job Fiona, definitely worth the wait.

I know that almost everyone said that this is the "Album of the Year" and whatsoever, but honestly I just can't get into this kind of music.
It's like she's just singing (or maybe just screaming or whining) to some random chords and notes with some tingling piano and percussion, and that's all. Nothing really "wow"-es me.

But it still has some interesting sounds, though.

Fiona provides that raw emotion like not many others can. Even within a roller-coaster of songs who do not "play it safe" and various different scenarios. Poetry fusions with powerful voice and grinding sounds from the beautiful voice of a songwriter and truly complete artist.

Fiona is a goddess !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this album is amazing :) not as good as Tidal but better than Extraordinary Machine (even tho its also really good)

Just a perfect and beautiful album! So intense and raw and poetic ! Perfect music, perfect voice, perfect lyrics and also perfect artwork: Fiona Apple is really a complete artist.

I thought I was going to be disappointed by this album, because (1) it's a critical darling (90/100) and (2) her other music has had years and years to change in me from songs to therapeutic relativity. But the critics were right, and I'm eating this album with my ears as if a painkiller. The minimal percussion,piano, and outside noise combined with her voice sometimes levitated, but quick to ease to guttural is a shock to the system. I've never heard someone exist so much.… Expand

"The Idler Wheel..." is a fantastic album, and is probably one of the best albums I have heard in a long time. The most ecletic album of hers, incorporates her soulful voice with the haunting piano chords and those mystical painful lyrics. With every fiber of her being, Apple spews out glorifying remedies needed to mend a broken heart or help you fall in love. After the "Extraordinary Machine" made me believe she wasn't angry anymore and her troubled phase was over, this brought me back to being a mega fan. Please listen to this album. I highly recommend it.… Expand

Most of Fiona's past albums were surrounded with a great deal of controversy, which caused her to take two very long career breaks. With The Idler Wheel, the creation process was kept very secretive, and Fiona was thus able to create an incredibly personal and intimate album without any record label pressures. And the verdict is in: she was successful. Vocally, she takes new leaps, both shouting and borderline screaming certain passages. Among the lighthearted piano-rock segments, these emphases create a shocking contrast that both shock and engage the listener. As the album title would indicate, the lyrical work on this record is masterful. When the vocal parts are so blatantly highlighted, the lyrics truly stand out, showcasing a vast vocabulary, crystal-clear imagery, and (probably) a handful of relationship-themed innuendos. Overall, Fiona's former style remains the central core of The Idler Wheel, but her refinements of all aspects pushes her to near-perfection.… Expand

Sit with this one for a bit, because its a grower. The first few listens may be a bit frustrating or underwhelming. But then you realize it's only because you're looking for a certain type of song. Soon the melodies flow and the lyrics sink in. The stark contrast between her past work and this new collection makes it even better. Fiona Apple is clearly pushing herself, with new vocal harmonies she hasn't sang before over far more minimal instrumentation than ever, and it works. I love this album. The more i listen to it, the better it is. The catchiest numbers for any that are curious are- "Every Single Night," "Periphery," and "Anything We Want." But these aren't even necessarily the best, give the album a few listens as a whole and you'll see what i mean. Amazing work.… Expand

I have been a fan of Fiona Apple from the very beginning back in 1996. The Idler Wheel is easily the LEAST accessible of her four albums, and although there were a couple of tracks that engaged me almost immediately (Valentine and Werewolf in particular), it took at least 20 listens to the full album, uninterrupted, before it finally 'clicked' for me. Now that it has, I can honestly say I think it is her finest work.… Expand

Full of emotion, powerful lyrics, amazing voice (very different than her older albums!! it's still strong, but in a very different way!) I am addicted to this album. Every. Single. Song. I don't understand how anybody could not enjoy this music, it's just too great!

It's quirky and it's not an easy listen but it's nothing short of amazing and it deserves every 10/10 it gets, I can almost guarantee there'll be nothing better to listen to until her next album !

The Idler Wheel is an incredibly mature work of art, taking the few musical resources at hand and using them to absolute perfection. This album must not be missed.

I grew up around the spectacular talent that is Fiona Apple. Her first album came out two years prior to my birth, so from practically day one I've been with her. And I love it. I love her insanity, I love her attitude, I love the sadness and the anger and the feeling that she has. The greatest part of this album is that it's all there and on display for anyone. I very honestly believe the only way you can't like this album is if you haven't experienced real, true to the heart pain, or if you don't like to enter someone's mind as deeply as you do with this album. Apple leads us on a dark, deep, terrifying journey through her inner thoughts and it's something you'll never forget. My Favorite Songs {in order}:

- Werewolf: I don't like to say this, but 'Werewolf' is essentially perfect. It's sad and looming, but her voice is so strong and pained. It's very, very Fiona and very, very wonderful. From the first time I heard it, I fell in love and haven't stopped listening to it since.

- Every Single Night: This song is all about strength and going from just a step above whispering to full force. The lyrics are not only hypnotic, but stunningly beautiful and as poetic as you can get.

- Anything We Want: I adore this song because of it's simplicity. It's Fiona and a little bit of background exactly how I love her. Daredevil: This song is strong and powerful. It has energy and she really goes all out with her insturments in a great, understated way.

- Hot Knife: There isn't much to say about this song except that it's wonderfully sexy, and is far from anything in any genre. It really takes on it's own sound.

- Left Alone: The lyrics are perfect. Absolutely riveting. Not to mention the overall sound of it all it's just wonderful. Everything goes together just as it should.

- Valentine Johnathan Regret: These three songs are all of the same sad, generally deep and painful sound. Fiona cries her heart out to get the sound and it shows that emotion is much, much better raw in music.

- Periphery: Even though this is listed as last, it's still one of very favorite songs of all time. It's strong and gets stuck in your head like you wouldn't believe.

All in all, I personally believe this album will be one of my favorites from the day I bought it to the day I die. It's timless, beautful, striking and painful at times. It's not meant to be smooth and pretty, it's meant to be an emotional ride and damn, that's exactly what it is.… Expand

This album is a masterpiece. It is a work of genius. Though it is more stripped down than her other records, it is more in depth sounding. She holds absolutely nothing back through her voice which shows traces of old time jazz, rock, and just flat out screaming. She matches the incredible diverse vocals with amazing lyricism on every single song that will make you think, laugh, and cry. And then their is the instrumentation which is just brilliant. Her piano playing has become something else. She still plays jazz type chords in her signature thumping blues style but it is so much more of a thing on it's own now.The piano and percussion work brilliantly together and express moods just as well as her insanely intellectual lyrics.Very few artists could pull an album like this off, you'd have to be genius to come up with this and know it would work. She is without a doubt a genius.… Expand