Golden Apple shines on ‘Pawn’

BY MIKE MEYER
Pulse Editor

OK, let’s just get it out of the way straight off: the full title of Fiona Apple’s new CD is "When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks like a King What He Knows Throws the Blows When He Goes to the Fight and He’ll Win the Whole Thing ’Fore He Enters the Ring There’s No Body to Batter When Your Mind is Your Might So When You Go Solo, You Hold Your Own Hand and Remember That Depth Is the Greatest of Heights and If You Know Where You Stand, Then You Know Where to Land and If You Fall It Won’t Matter, Cuz You’ll Know That You’re Right."

But we’ll just go with "When the Pawn ...," m’kay?

Seem deep? It is, but it’s not the only thing that’s deep about this album. For a sophomore album, "When the Pawn ..." shows a great deal of maturity, as well as quite a bit of the self-realization displayed in the title.

Apple burst onto the music scene in 1996 with her debut, "Tidal," which featured the hit "Criminal" (you know, the one with the mock Calvin Klein ad video that featured Apple sporting a look that makes Calista Flockhart look like Andre the Giant by comparison). Her brutally honest lyrics earned her a place in critics’ hearts, and her soulful music earned her scores of fans.

But "Tidal" just didn’t have that veneer that separates the upstarts from the true professionals. "When the Pawn ..." does and is an interesting listen even if you can’t really connect with the lyrics (and if you’re like me, sporting a Y-chromosome, you really can’t).

Ah, those lyrics. If you think Apple’s diminutive size dictates a weak, frail personality, you’ve got another thing coming. The album’s title is the first of many self-affirming messages contained herein, which often manifest themselves in very blunt, straightforward terms.

"A Mistake" sees her longing to do something self-destructive, just for the hell of it. "Paper Bag" is a lamentation on the pain of going without love and the proportionate pain of having your heart broken.

"The Way Things Are" and "Fast As You Can" both find Apple musing on how lousy her relationships are and encouraging men to go far, far away.

As for "Limp," well ... just use your imagination.

Her lyrics are bolstered by her inventive music, which is largely piano-based, but not in the way, say, Tori Amos’ music incorporates the instrument. The piano parts (played by Apple herself) are sparse and understated.

Co-producer Jon Brion, who recently has worked on albums by Melissa Etheridge, Elliott Smith, Rufus Wainwright and Macy Gray, plays most of the other instruments. Amos skinsman Matt Chaimberlain and Eels drummer Butch Norton split most of the percussion duties.

Apple finds a distinctive voice in her songwriting, working mostly in expressive minor keys and incorporating a distinctly jazzy feel on a number of tracks — especially the excellent "Fast As You Can," which features a nimble instrumental section to close the song.

Her vocals are some of the most passionate you are likely to hear, and it’s difficult to believe such a powerful voice could come from such a tiny woman. Though it sometimes feels like she’s trying too hard, her singing is excellent overall.

It’s not the most instantly accessible album, and it definitely will take a few listens to get into it, but it’s worth the effort; "When the Pawn ..." gets deeper with every listen.

Though some of the songs are slightly forgettable, and some (read: males) won’t get quite as much out of this as others, the album definitely is more than just another of the many pieces of pre-holiday chaff that has been released recently.

Apple is only a budding songstress, though, and "When the Pawn ..." isn’t quite a masterwork. On the other hand, it is a very compelling album featuring an artist who is becoming comfortable with her talent and who surely has the potential to set the music world on its ear in the near future.

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