User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 148 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 136 out of 148
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Mixed: 0 out of 148
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Negative: 12 out of 148
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Mar 16, 2012
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SRodMar 31, 2009Definitely her best, and possibly one of the best albums by a woman ever! Top notch production, mesmerizing arrangements, beautiful and intimate lyrics. Every little thing about 'When the pawn . . ." is brilliant.
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Jun 9, 2020Subpar work from a tremendous artist.Nostalgia from coming from her first album made it one the fan favourites in its own right though the writing is ok I can’t say much about the production of this album.
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Dec 4, 2015Apple strides unapologetically and fearlessly into womanhood on this album. What her previous effort Tidal lacked in raw emotional delivery, Fiona makes up for with When The Pawn... Her lyrical themes on the album serve as a stark reminder to her incredible wisdom beyond her years.
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RobPepMar 20, 2006You may not see it straight the way, but you will end up realising that this is sheer complete genius....... and if you dont your wrong!
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ViLaMay 10, 2009
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PatrickMJan 12, 2006Incredible. One of the best singer-songwriter albums of all time and definitely the best of the year.
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DDJul 23, 2006Pure genius, easily in my top 10 albums of all time
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JDWilliamsSep 25, 2006Best Fiona album start to finish! Extraordinary is awesome but i still like When A Pawn better!
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sMNov 21, 2005A work of art. My favorite solo female album. Passionate, eccentric, artistic, original....amazing.
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MiKEApr 4, 2005This album is flawless, just amazing! Every track is just perfect. Cant wait till Fiona Apple releases her new CD!
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SamDMar 20, 2006It is a really, really, really good album, but it's still a little short of great...
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CLiamApr 28, 2007I found that she is exactly extraordinary from this album before listen to "Extraordinary Macine"!
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JackieD.Sep 6, 2002My favorite female album in my collection by far.
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PeytonMFeb 24, 2003I love this album. It's the perfect blend of music and emotion. She tells it like it is . If she pissed you know it. It's beautiful ..Tidal was more sorrowful while When the Pawn is a sort of payback.
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katiesJun 24, 2003
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GeorgePApr 13, 2006A very good album. Very strong vocally with interesting musical arrangements and a good balance of slow and more upbeat songs.
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LizRSep 4, 2006Sometimes I put a different CD in my player, and it only makes me realize that there isn't anything better than When the Pawn.
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MikeMar 6, 2007Fiona Apples best album to date! Much better then Extra ordinary machine, which I found to be a disappointment.
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AustinAJul 15, 2005In her sullen world of lyrical genius, she achieves an amazing feat with this stellar album.
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AdamKAug 15, 2005great album all around.
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RobbieCNov 17, 2006The best Fiona album. I think what we all love about this album is Jon Brion, or at least the collaboration between Fiona and Jon Brion. They are absolutely brilliant together. The original Extraordinary Machine was another work of genius and the polished one proved my point.
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HollisMay 28, 2006
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richardNov 15, 2008Norah jones and alicia keyes can't come close to being this magical in writing songs for the piano. Mad props to fiona and especially to her producer Jon Brion for this gem.
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john'kowsDec 24, 2002
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Jul 16, 2020
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Nov 29, 2012A very good work. Her voice, her lyrics and the piano make 'When The Pawn...' to a wonderful work. But I can't pick out an excellent song, or at least something that could work alone as a single. Anyway, this album is totally worth hearing and a great experience!
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Jul 23, 2020
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Feb 17, 2015
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Oct 1, 2020
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May 9, 2020
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Apr 27, 2022Her musical ideas and lyrics have caught up with the ability of her voice. The songs are well varied, and transition smoothly from one to the otherSubpar work from a tremendous artist.Nostalgia from coming from her first album made it one the fan favourites in its own right though the writing is ok I can’t say much about the production of this album.
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Mar 17, 2020Poetical lyrics, Emotional songs and definitely pure talent! She's legendary!!!
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Jun 12, 2020For me this album is the best of it (before tidal).
Fiona Apple was supposed to be an artist recognized by the general public, but most people don't have good taste. -
Nov 20, 2020On When the Pawn..., Apple manages to evolve from her debut while maintaining and even improving upon the quality of it. She manages to strike a balance between catchiness and incredible lyricism not seen in her future works.
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Mar 1, 2022
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Sep 4, 2023This album is truly a musical treasure. Fiona Apple's soulful vocals and profound lyrics combine to craft an emotionally charged odyssey. The production by Jon Brion adds layers of depth, solidifying its status as a timeless masterpiece within the realm of alternative music.
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Sep 8, 2023
Awards & Rankings
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Fiona's brand of heartache is a welcome, dark respite from the avalanche of popcrap.
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Apple's piano trundles, the strings loom, the beats clop; everything, including her throaty voice, has alluring dark circles under it. With their hints of cabaret, tango, and doomed chanteuses, the melodies slither rather than pummel you.
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And for her second album of Amos-aping MTV-branded Lilith Fair fodder, the barmiest, prettiest pretender to Tori's throne of corporate crackpot chic deals unashamedly in that tired and trusted heavyweight heart-tugging currency: relationships.