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By Jackie Klein
She had her brilliant breakthrough in 1996, at the age of 19, with Tidal. The world expected great things from the somewhat moody, but incredibly talented, artist. She provided interesting commentary upon accepting an MTV award in 1997 and more or less had an attitude about everything. But she was an artist, and aren't artists supposed to be a little angry sometimes?
Three years later came her sophomore album, its 90-word title a tantrum in itself, generally referred to as When the Pawn... Reviews were mixed, but Apple seemed to have matured. The album was more creative and paid tribute to then-boyfriend Paul Thomas Anderson.
Then she freaked out. It was sometime early in 2000 at Roseland, when Apple was touring for Pawn. She had some sort of breakdown, left the stage, and not long after essentially disappeared for a few years.
Late last year, Extraordinary Machine was released after some record company strife. On Machine, Apple sounds mature, calm, playful - nowhere near the girl who threw tantrums on stage and cursed at awards shows. She had split with Anderson and the lyrics seem to reflect that, but it all sounds a little tongue-in-cheek. I gave her major credit as I'm still not over Paul Thomas Anderson and I've never even met him.
The themes of lost love, mistakes and insanity are made lighthearted and fun. She made that fun little lip-sync video with Zach Galifianakis and hit a ton of top-ten lists for 2005. Extraordinary Machine was soulful, fun and beautifully crafted. Perhaps at 29 Apple was finally ready to deal with the pressures of fame and put herself on the line, maybe even make fun of herself a little. Her three-week 2005 tour was well received and it was exciting to see the mature, calm Apple when she hit New York again on her more expansive summer tour.
Unfortunately, watching Fiona at Jones Beach on July 22 was somewhat akin to watching your roommate drink too much and begin reciting poetry she had written in middle school to a bar full of captivated strangers. You want to take her home, hold her hair while she pukes, tuck her in and let her forget it ever happened. The audience was actually laughing at her (in that bad, nervous way) at times, making that hug seem even more urgent.
Apple thrashed around the large, open stage uncomfortably, crouching down and seeking refuge behind the piano. When she spoke it was often incoherent, sometimes too personal. She reprimanded her self with a "Christ, Fiona, always have to justify everything! Just stop it!" Too much therapy speaking, or perhaps not enough.
She introduced the audience to her former stepfather and followed the introduction with Slow Like Honey. You know, "You moved like honey in my dream last night / Yeah, some old fires were burning / You came near to me and you endeared to me / But you couldn't quite discern me." Not necessarily appropriate, but the rumor is that Apple finds set lists too stressful and just plays whatever the band tells her to. Were they playing a sick joke, or was it purely coincidental? Was she even attached to the lyrics, understanding the connections she was making?
All things aside, the 90-minute set was undoubtedly excellent. She played a nice mixture of the old and the new, yet almost every song seemed to make some reference to insanity (but maybe I was looking for it). She began with her early hit Shadowboxer, and ended with a very predictable encore of Extraordinary Machine and Criminal.
She attempted to charm the audience, commending us on coming out in the rain, but her comments were awkward and poorly received. Poor Fiona. The audience left feeling sorry for her, and maybe a little freaked out by her presence, but when all is said and done, she is just an amazing, if somewhat disturbed, artist in need of a hug.
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Perpetual Toxins © 2006-2007 - All Rights Reserved |
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iona Apple needs a hug. A hard core, drop everything, no reservations hug from someone with some sincere interest in her well being.
