Extraordinary Machine
by Fiona Apple
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Oct 4, 2005
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 221 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 197 out of 221
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 221
  3. Negative: 12 out of 221

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  1. gagaforever
    Oct 12, 2010
    10
    Such 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
  2. nicoleb
    Oct 11, 2005
    10
    i 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.
  3. Ryan
    Oct 11, 2005
    9
    Wow, 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.
  4. JimmieM
    Oct 1, 2005
    9
    I 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.
  5. AustinA
    Oct 23, 2005
    10
    Apparently the turmoil and struggle to release "Extraordinary Machine" was exactly what Fiona needed to make her best album to date.
  6. MattA
    Dec 9, 2005
    7
    Apple 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.
  7. RaymundA
    Oct 4, 2005
    10
    Maybe the hiatus is a help for Fiona. Her new album sounds great. I haven't bought the album yet, but I've played it over and over again in a free listening party via Winamp. All I can say is that she is sooooo original, refreshing, and downright talented. She should thank her new producer too. The album's release in the Philippines is not simultaneous in the US, which Maybe the hiatus is a help for Fiona. Her new album sounds great. I haven't bought the album yet, but I've played it over and over again in a free listening party via Winamp. All I can say is that she is sooooo original, refreshing, and downright talented. She should thank her new producer too. The album's release in the Philippines is not simultaneous in the US, which I'll have to wait for 2 weeks or so to buy it.… Expand
  8. ErwinZ
    Oct 4, 2005
    10
    What a comeback !
  9. ChrisG
    Oct 4, 2005
    10
    10 for musical brilliance ONLY JB's version stilll remains the best... this version has much of its rollick and soul stripped
  10. PeterZ
    Oct 4, 2005
    10
    The Jon Brion version of this album was very interesting- it seemed an exacerbation of Fiona's already sometimes odd musical choices- the different instrumentations, changing time signatures, and chromatic chord progressions. However, with the new Mike Elizondo version of the album, Fiona and Mike really reined in a lot of the eccentricity which in fact detracted from bringing forth The Jon Brion version of this album was very interesting- it seemed an exacerbation of Fiona's already sometimes odd musical choices- the different instrumentations, changing time signatures, and chromatic chord progressions. However, with the new Mike Elizondo version of the album, Fiona and Mike really reined in a lot of the eccentricity which in fact detracted from bringing forth a lot of what the album tries to say. A few songs suffered from the tampering of a new producer, mainly "Tymps (The Sick In The Head Song)," which was afore named "Used to Love Him." The previous version wasn't backed by a hip-hop drum track, but rather had an inviting and gripping rolling piano line. However, on the whole, the fact that Fiona followed her gut and continued to work these songs has proved quite effective, as seen on such gems as "Red Red Red" and "Get Him Back." The addition of "Parting Gift" is also well suited for the album, despite its solo nature. There is a coherence to this album that was lacking before, and it is one of the finest musical outings in a long while.… Expand
  11. StevenS
    Oct 5, 2005
    8
    A few songs have benefitted from more time and effort, but the notable exceptions are "Please, Please, Pleas", "Get Him Back" and "Not About Love", which suffer greatly from Elizondo's irrelevant production. "Please..." has all the life wrung out of it, while the baseline of "Get Him Back" has been hammered into a dull suggestion of the original. And "Not About Love" loses the A few songs have benefitted from more time and effort, but the notable exceptions are "Please, Please, Pleas", "Get Him Back" and "Not About Love", which suffer greatly from Elizondo's irrelevant production. "Please..." has all the life wrung out of it, while the baseline of "Get Him Back" has been hammered into a dull suggestion of the original. And "Not About Love" loses the strings and it's impact. Great songs filter through mediocrity. Thank goodness for the leaked version.… Expand
  12. Brian
    Oct 6, 2005
    9
    Thus is Fiona's biggest musical accomplishment yet. Don't let anyone tell you different.
  13. malloryr
    Oct 9, 2005
    10
    it 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.
  14. DB
    Oct 2, 2006
    8
    One can't help wishing most of the tracks were as creative, original and infectious as the title song. It sets the listener up for something different, and when the cliched rock and roll drums kick in on the second track, its more than a little dissapointing. The fact that this is still an excellent album doesn't change the fact that it is frustrating in its unused potential. One can't help wishing most of the tracks were as creative, original and infectious as the title song. It sets the listener up for something different, and when the cliched rock and roll drums kick in on the second track, its more than a little dissapointing. The fact that this is still an excellent album doesn't change the fact that it is frustrating in its unused potential. Mike whatever his name is (the new producer) is obviously an incompetent label slave, and if the songwriter wasn't as talented as Fiona, this could have been a wreck. If you can stand the injustice, the album is rewarding. If not, download "Extraordinary Machine" and save your money.… Expand
  15. joness
    Nov 3, 2005
    9
    Excellent the original. 6 for the released.
  16. Michael
    Oct 1, 2005
    10
    Just awesome- unlike anything else you'll hear. If you like smart, moving, groovy songs you should love this. Buy it!
  17. elizabethr
    Nov 8, 2005
    10
    amazing. 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.
  18. RobP
    Oct 2, 2005
    10
    Fabulous!
  19. uu
    Dec 4, 2005
    10
    Uncomfortably vaudevillian, tenaciously angry, and with tension built between how many different music forces, fiona's new stuff is bizarrely stunning. Hardly a sad, touching moment, it's not like tidal, but certainly a natural progression from pawn. Her maturity seems to come upon strength and attitude from humble and modest, not the usual progression. She does whatever she Uncomfortably vaudevillian, tenaciously angry, and with tension built between how many different music forces, fiona's new stuff is bizarrely stunning. Hardly a sad, touching moment, it's not like tidal, but certainly a natural progression from pawn. Her maturity seems to come upon strength and attitude from humble and modest, not the usual progression. She does whatever she wants, and it cannot go wrong. While I can imagine some may not get what she's doing here, her artistic bravado is undisputed. The intensity and ingenuity of the album is incredible, and her intent- genuine and moving.… Expand
  20. rosst
    Oct 3, 2005
    10
    astonishing!
  21. JimmyN
    Oct 4, 2005
    8
    It'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.
  22. PhineasP
    Oct 4, 2005
    10
    I believe that a work of art has to create polemic and interesting discussions, because a work of art ultimately is extremely complex and exceeds itself. Fiona has done such a thing this time around, and I couldn't be happier of the result. Like a reviewer said, I hope one day both versions of this cd are released together, because they are two different "readings" of Fiona's I believe that a work of art has to create polemic and interesting discussions, because a work of art ultimately is extremely complex and exceeds itself. Fiona has done such a thing this time around, and I couldn't be happier of the result. Like a reviewer said, I hope one day both versions of this cd are released together, because they are two different "readings" of Fiona's most captivating work.… Expand
  23. NickC
    Oct 4, 2005
    7
    It'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.
  24. Roar
    Oct 4, 2005
    9
    The first and last songs on this album are worth the price of the whole. No surprise they are the two Jon Brion productions. The rest of the album often sounds cheap and not because there are synths and drum machines. It sounds cheap because these elements are mixed with piano and "rock" drums. When its straight electronic or hip hop, it sounds great (like the dreamy "Red Red Red" or the The first and last songs on this album are worth the price of the whole. No surprise they are the two Jon Brion productions. The rest of the album often sounds cheap and not because there are synths and drum machines. It sounds cheap because these elements are mixed with piano and "rock" drums. When its straight electronic or hip hop, it sounds great (like the dreamy "Red Red Red" or the Eminemesque "Tymps"). Other tracks sound lame and early ninetiesish. Nonetheless this is a fun album! Buy it and find the original as well.… Expand
  25. Brett
    Oct 4, 2005
    7
    Jon Brion's version is much better.
  26. KurtD
    Oct 5, 2005
    10
    This is her best CD yet (which is really saying something). Though some songs are not quite improvements (perhaps better version of me and not about love), all of the songs are at least as good as the Brion version, and mane are extaordinarily better (red red red, window). Keeping Waltz as the Jon Brion version was a great idea, and the LP as a whole is very effective. I haven't This is her best CD yet (which is really saying something). Though some songs are not quite improvements (perhaps better version of me and not about love), all of the songs are at least as good as the Brion version, and mane are extaordinarily better (red red red, window). Keeping Waltz as the Jon Brion version was a great idea, and the LP as a whole is very effective. I haven't heard chord progressions like these in all of my days.… Expand
  27. SaaibF
    Oct 5, 2005
    9
    As much as i waited for this album i have to say its not what i expected...but its still a good work, she's an incredible songwriter, the way she bends her singing...so fresh and playful..but in ocassions it lacks the raw, mercurial emotion of her previous work.I give her props for trying a new direction than getting stuck with her partner John Brion...do i think it was for As much as i waited for this album i have to say its not what i expected...but its still a good work, she's an incredible songwriter, the way she bends her singing...so fresh and playful..but in ocassions it lacks the raw, mercurial emotion of her previous work.I give her props for trying a new direction than getting stuck with her partner John Brion...do i think it was for better?...dont know...time will tell… Expand
  28. LesF
    Oct 6, 2005
    9
    Though Elizondo destroys Brion's interpretations of 'Better Version of Me' and 'Please, Please, Please,' the rest of the new versions are surprisingly decent alternative interpretations of Fiona's marvelous songwriting. The new 'Tymps,' 'Red Red Red,' and 'Not About Love' are all standout tracks, and should eliminate any worries Though Elizondo destroys Brion's interpretations of 'Better Version of Me' and 'Please, Please, Please,' the rest of the new versions are surprisingly decent alternative interpretations of Fiona's marvelous songwriting. The new 'Tymps,' 'Red Red Red,' and 'Not About Love' are all standout tracks, and should eliminate any worries about Fiona "selling out."… Expand
  29. dustink
    Oct 6, 2005
    10
    its 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.
  30. MikeHBC
    Oct 7, 2005
    9
    I have to say that I am a pretty big Fiona Apple fan, but became a much, much, much bigger fan thanks to the bootleg version of "Extraordinary Machine." Both that version and the released version are getting a 9 from me, but are this close to getting a 10. The released version is nothing short of incredible, and the production of both Mike Elizondo and Jon Brion shine through. A lot of I have to say that I am a pretty big Fiona Apple fan, but became a much, much, much bigger fan thanks to the bootleg version of "Extraordinary Machine." Both that version and the released version are getting a 9 from me, but are this close to getting a 10. The released version is nothing short of incredible, and the production of both Mike Elizondo and Jon Brion shine through. A lot of the tracks, mainly the title track (which is probably my favorite Fiona song ever), "Not About Love," "Get Him Back," "Waltz," and "Tymps" (previously known as "Used To Love Him"), would be standouts on any album by any singer-songwriter since Joni Mitchell. Honestly, if you like anything that could remotely be compared to Fiona, you will absolutely love "Extraordinary Machine." And by the way, if you're a fan, it's definitely worth it to pick up the DualDisc version of "Extraordinary Machine." The music video for "Not About Love" with Zach Galifianakis is amazing, and her live performances (which cover songs on the album, past Fiona hits, and rarities) are not to be missed.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Best Album of 2005
26
#26 Most Discussed Album of 2005
46
#46 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    The 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]
  2. The New York Times
    90
    There's a new layer of perspective on her magnificent third album. [3 Oct 2005]
  3. Billboard
    80
    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]
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