User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 221 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 197 out of 221
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Mixed: 12 out of 221
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Negative: 12 out of 221
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Oct 12, 2010Such an amazing album!!!!!! I jknow ever word to every song and can hit all the notes...Fiona apple is such a good singer and deserves to be recognized
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nicolebOct 11, 2005i had to review this cd for my schools paper, and i gave it a very positive review. everyone i know loves this album, or at least likes it. im glad fiona is back in the mainstream.
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RyanOct 11, 2005Wow, a top for the year easy! Apple cooks up Jolie Holland, Be Good Tanyas, Lucinda, Joni, Norah Jones. This album is up there with Sufjan Stevens and Clap Your Hands for Best of Show 2005.
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JimmieMOct 1, 2005I would give the bootleg version of this disc a 10. The new version is great, though, although I still think they ripped the heart out of a couple of the tracks. Fiona Apple really has a style that is all her own, and she's easily the best female lyricist out there. Let's hope it doesn't take six years to get the next one.
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AustinAOct 23, 2005Apparently the turmoil and struggle to release "Extraordinary Machine" was exactly what Fiona needed to make her best album to date.
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MattADec 9, 2005Apple really blew it by ditching the Jon Brion production. This album isn't a complete letdown, but compared to her last album, and compared to scrapped sessions, it is a little weak. Her worst album yet.
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RaymundAOct 4, 2005
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ErwinZOct 4, 2005What a comeback !
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ChrisGOct 4, 200510 for musical brilliance ONLY JB's version stilll remains the best... this version has much of its rollick and soul stripped
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PeterZOct 4, 2005
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StevenSOct 5, 2005
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BrianOct 6, 2005Thus is Fiona's biggest musical accomplishment yet. Don't let anyone tell you different.
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malloryrOct 9, 2005it is obvious that fiona has formed a different perspective.. but ive always been a fiona fan. ive been anticipating this cd for years.. and it is much worth the wait. brilliantly written lyrics and such charm make this album, i believe, her finest yet.
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DBOct 2, 2006
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jonessNov 3, 2005Excellent the original. 6 for the released.
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MichaelOct 1, 2005Just awesome- unlike anything else you'll hear. If you like smart, moving, groovy songs you should love this. Buy it!
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elizabethrNov 8, 2005amazing. astonding. breath taking.... raw, emotional, clever... truthfully and honestly... there are no words... all i know is that my music collection would be severly lacking without this cd... and a great part of my saniety would be lost. thank god for fiona apple.
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RobPOct 2, 2005Fabulous!
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uuDec 4, 2005
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rosstOct 3, 2005astonishing!
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JimmyNOct 4, 2005It's tragic to hear this version of this album after hearing the lush, Jon Brion produced version. Silly choices were made on some of the tracks replacing lush orchestration with boring percussion (Not About Love). This album gets a 8 solely because it echos the astounding original. If this album didn't have two versions, it would have been a 5.
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PhineasPOct 4, 2005
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NickCOct 4, 2005It's still better than most of the stuff out there, but I equate this to DMB lilly white recordings. Both were much better albums, but just didn't have songs that could be singles.
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RoarOct 4, 2005
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BrettOct 4, 2005Jon Brion's version is much better.
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KurtDOct 5, 2005
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SaaibFOct 5, 2005
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LesFOct 6, 2005
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dustinkOct 6, 2005its fionas most varied and mature work to date. every song has its own signature, all fionas. a much different experience from the leaked version, that sounded like fiona, trapped singing in a jon brion fantasy world.
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MikeHBCOct 7, 2005
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RochelleTJan 10, 2006I like a lot of what was changed about this album from Brion's work to Elizondo's...but there are a few elements I miss, which is why I gave the album a 9 instead of 10. Nevertheless, the album is incredible, and I am happy to hear less misery and some lighter feelings in her lyrics. Her voice is amazing and unique. My favorite!
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StephenSFeb 10, 2006My favorite CD of 2005
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brookebFeb 20, 2006Love it! I like to alternate all 3 pf Fiona's cds to gte an unbelievable mix of music. fabulous!
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CoryBApr 29, 2006An amazing musical and emotional journey. The best pop album of 2005.
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JonathanCJun 20, 2006A flawless transition that shows that every one grows up. Fiona Apple's newest album shows that she has matured, but still contains the right amount of edge that makes her a future classic. A upbeat, yet downbeat assortment of songs that contain their own amount of diversity. With her piano and sailor's mouth Fiona Apple proves that six years can be put to very,very good use.
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MikeMar 6, 2007Very good.... But I liked her 2nd album alot more.
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CLiamApr 28, 2007Her every albums are my all time favourite and I give it a 10 too!
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VinApr 8, 2007The leaked version of the album is ten times better than the official release. It was more raw and organic. It had more emotion.
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RaffaellaA.May 8, 2007I'm one of the few who prefer the new version to the baroque one she conceived with Brion - I love it actually! The clean sounds leave room for raw emotions, carried by Fiona's outstanding voice. Obsession (Get Him Back) and wiseness (Better Than Fine) live together well in some of Fiona's best lyrics ever.
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TomJNov 10, 2005I love this album. It superbly written, beautifully performed and full of suprises; each time it's listened too.
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MarcPOct 10, 2005Can't get enough of this album. I work in a music store and I insist on playing it in the store non stop. Many listens makes it quite addictive. My favorite bit of the album is on "Oh Well" where the vocal work is quite intimidating.
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MaxDNov 2, 2005she's the best...
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MR.GoodbarNov 5, 2005Her richest album to date. She's an artist who's really evolving and not repeating herself. I can only wonder what she can do next. Extraordinary Machine is a classic.
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LeonardoFOct 16, 2005brion's version get the 10.
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KevinCOct 18, 2005As lovelorn and contemplative as ever, Fiona Apple makes her long-awaited return with "Extraordinary Machine" and she does make the most of it. Experimenting with dissidence and jumbled melodies, Apple proves that she's not out to win over the pop world. Her smoky, jazz-lounge voice and fiery storytelling just might win it over anyway.
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TqMoneyOct 20, 2005lovely. the original is better and I'm not just saying that because it's cool to say it but still love her.
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gabrielaiDec 2, 2005Rare, mostly beautiful to the ears!
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KatiKOct 22, 2005I love Fiona and this album does not disappoint. It's rich with so many well executed musical experiments. I love that she pushes herself to expand herself.
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LesliePDec 4, 2005
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JanetDDec 5, 2005As I listened to the first song my first thought was "shes grown up". No more angry girl, not mellow but an adult who has constructed a wonderful album on her own terms.
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applefanOct 26, 2005Lyrically, I found "Extraordinary Machine" decidely weaker than both her previous albums ("Not About Love" being the biggest exception). The listening experience of the album, however, is incredible and does not disappoint. I prefer the more organic feel of the Jon Brion sessions and while I bought the released version, I will view his as the 'right' version.
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JLDOct 3, 2005Terrific ! Nice work...
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andoodOct 3, 2005
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EmilyS.Oct 3, 2005I'm split 50/50 on leaked vs. new version. Regardless, both are 10 out of 10s. How can anyone compare this to any of the crap out there today? Fiona dominates.
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BillyLOct 3, 2005The record's title explains it all. If this doesn't end up on every top-ten list this year then there's something seriously and medically wrong with our nation's critics.
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marineroOct 4, 2005Jon Brion's take is the one I'll cherish; Mike Elizondo's I'll happily listen to on the radio
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SteveKOct 4, 2005
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KatWOct 4, 2005I loved the leaked version, and I love this version as well. Elizondo brings some songs to life that I skipped over on the Brion version alltogether. There is still depth and feeling to the songs, this is not Fiona Apple "sold out". I agree with those who say both versions should be heard...they are both masterpieces in their own right.
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blareaOct 9, 2005awesome. horrid compared to brion's
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EddieSSep 29, 2005Fiona Apple´s best lyrics ever!
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SteveDJan 10, 2006A fantastic cd. Nobody writes or sings a song like Fiona.
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JuliaAOct 25, 2006all the waiting time was worth it. brilliant,artsy,and such a relief to hear that Fiona hasn't lost her musical touch at all. all the tracks are good,if not superb.she gave us 'Criminal','Fast As You Can',and theatrical piano driven songs like 'O' Sailor' and 'Tymps'.no more to say but WOW.
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MylisaMJan 29, 2006Fiona Apple is Amazing, her voice is near perfect and she's always a creative lyricist. Beautiful CD.
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vladabJan 7, 2006EM is great,perfect, especially "Red, Red, Red" and "O' sailor"!
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ChrisWJan 8, 2006Amazingly beautiful... The best music I've heard so far... Such a talented personality and such a beautiful spirit...
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ZachPFeb 1, 2006Honestly, the best album of the year by far. The songs are elequently written. "Extraordinary Machine", " Not About Love", and "O'Sailor" are some of the best songs of the year. I Love This CD!!!
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SamDMar 20, 2006i love this album. definately in my top ten of all time, it really reminds me of when aimee mann hit big with "bachelor #2"
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ErazuaAApr 11, 2006It is like the perfect companion to Elvis Costello's 1982 album "Imperial Bedroom". Strings never sounded better and tales of love never as sweet and bitter at the same time. You can't hum any song on this album. They defy such easy lilting. And that is a art to be admired.
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AlexJul 27, 2006Fuckin great. That's all I have to say.
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JeremyFJan 20, 2007
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AlfonsoG.Jun 11, 2007
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MezzanineNov 2, 2005best album of 2005
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desireeNov 24, 2005amazing!
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SvenKNov 24, 2005
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chuckbarrisaNov 29, 2005it took me a while to warm up to it. but after a few listens, i think its better than her other two albums, which are also fantastic. something i listen to over and over again, and one of the best albums i've ever heard. yeah, its that good.
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lucyb.Oct 15, 2005In my opinion, one of the best albums of the year. Beautiful songs, brilliant lyrics... I just love it...
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musicfanOct 16, 2005Simply amazing! However, she should've left the orignal "better version of me" alone.
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GeriBOct 17, 2005The leaked version was better but its still an amazing cd.
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AlanHNov 8, 2005This is a great CD! I had only heard of Fiona Apple, but never really listened to her. I decided to risk it and buy the album. If this is at all like any of her other's it's flawless. The smoky voice, dark and meaningful lyrics, and jazzy piano paint a picture worth watching.
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sMOct 19, 2005I was weary of buying this one because unlike most of her fans, i'm not a fan of "When the Pawn..", but this one is quite nice. One of the best CD's i've bought this year.
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PhilTDec 1, 2005
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KevinMDec 12, 2005Love the EM CD/DVD (Dual Disk), and it gets better with each listen as I notice more elements of each song. I bought all of Fiona's CDs the day after her 11/22/05 Portland show and they've been in heavy rotation in my car, home stereo, and at work since the show....nothing but Fiona. The lyrics, Fiona's piano playing and the rest of it are outstanding.
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JessRDec 13, 2005Fiona's new apple is fan-f-ing tabulous!!!! She rocked in the concert I just saw too. Let's hope she keeps touring!
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LuisGDec 16, 2005Its hard to decide on whos side you are when two of your best friends breakup and well.....alanis morissette has one perspective...beck has another and well tori amos tends to slid away...ex. machine is clearly the album i was waiting for not since these artits before had i felt so connected by hate,neglect and disbelief ....slick production and heavy writing...a maginificant album
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JonHDec 28, 2005
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AndyAug 22, 2006Really damn good.
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AlexisB.May 18, 2007
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kyleNov 24, 2005great cd, better than id ever expected.
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Mar 12, 2012
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Jul 10, 2012I've always known about Fiona Apple, but never gave her the light of day. Hype is an evil thing. The hype surrounding this album however is 100% accurate, it's a fantastic album. Every track is sung with such beautiful honesty from Apple that you really can understand what she's feeling and what she's been through. I love this album with a such a passion. A
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Jul 17, 2020
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Apr 15, 2021Extraordinary Machine stands as a powerful piece of work by Ms. Fiona Apple and there really is no need to compare it to her other work. The writing and performances still sound as passionate, creative, strikingly beautiful, magical and unleashed as ever, and in my humble opinion, the album is, truly extraordinary.
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Mar 11, 2018
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Mar 11, 2020This album it's so underrated that hurts!... This work has many amazing compositions... Extraordinary Machine it's one of the most underrated gems of the 2000's!
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Nov 20, 2020Extraordinary Machine is an understated, excellent album in its own right, but the effects of the record label upon this album can be felt today. Apple's genius, however, manages to shine through despite corporate meddling.
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Mar 4, 2023she's such an icon and this is perfect. fiona apple will always be the music industry
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Sep 4, 2023
Awards & Rankings
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Entertainment WeeklyThe cleaner take on Extraordinary Machine is like a trip to a less cluttered haunted house, and Apple's more nuanced delivery sticks the knife in, but slowly. It's both charming and devastating. [7 Oct 2005, p.72]
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The New York TimesThere's a new layer of perspective on her magnificent third album. [3 Oct 2005]
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With a less confessional and more confrontational attitude, this long-gestating album has lost the tenderness found on "Tidal" and some of "When the Pawn . . .," but her execution still commands attention. [8 Oct 2005]