When The Pawn...

Slight higher deliver time and damaged. (2009-03-21) : 1/5
The CD got in my country within a time of arrival slightly higher than other purchases made also at Amazon. Also, the case came full of unuseful sitcks that damaged the whole case, because i couldn't see the whole art and I had to buy another clean case. VERY, VERY BAD!
Another Work of Perfection from Fiona (2009-03-13) : 5/5
"When the Pawn" is a second nod to Ms Fiona (Apple isn't her "real" last name). Her songs are still heartbreakingly honest, but with a bit more beat to them. These songs are more fun to belt out in the car. "Fast As You Can" is so great, I stumble through the words, feeling the satire anger rush through me as if to say "I know that I'm great, but I'm gonna tear you apart- best to stay away."br /I love this album as much as the first. It still has the poetic lyrics, but with a bit more sound. More bass. I love her ability to mix in piano and the odd rhythms that engross her vocals.br /She is truly an artist. I love her soul that emits through the songs.br /Perfection.
Just gets better... (2009-01-09) : 5/5
With Tidal being such a strong debut, it was hard to imagine what Apple would dish out next. When The Pawn... is everything Tidal was but more refined. Pretty much what one would anticipate but hardly expect. Her lyrics thankfully haven't softened, ie: Limp, and the album as a whole is a well-rounded production. Looking forward to hear what Ms Apple comes up with next...
Her best album, so far... (2008-11-24) : 5/5
Better than her 1st album, if that's possible. She is in constant development in both lyricist and arranger abilities. All songs are great, and Fiona defined the feeling of the late 90s. br /br /On the Bound is a sensational song, with extreme power and depth. The production is high level, and her voice delivers exactly what we expect from the mood of the song.br /br /She is a true artist, label that is given so easily by the media these days, to the so called "talents". But not with Fiona, she deserves all acclamation that she got, and much more. br /br /This is a true masterpiece of modern intelligent music!
Neither memorable nor personal enough (2008-11-22) : 2/5
Along with Tori Amos, Fiona Apple repopularised the piano as a rock instrument in the 1990s amidst a stream of annoying grunge and techno. Influenced by long-forgotten 1970s albums like Turn of the Cards, Tori's first two albums were exceptionally personal and melodic works that for me as a first- and second-year student of Melbourne University, became beacons of hope in a musical landscape that seemed to be deteriorating all the time.br /br /When she first emerged in 1996 with Tidal, I thought (oddly) Fiona Apple was from my native Australia and she seemed interesting enough that I bought "When The Pawn" almost as soon as it came out despite not being pleased with the new direction she seemed to be taking. With hindsight, I feel at present that my judgement has been vindicated. Just as Tori tried some quite silly experiments on her third album, on "When the Pawn" Apple is trying to be a "twisted" rocker. In the process, both her voice and piano lose out. What is undoubtedly meant to be eerie soundscapes on most tracks on "When the Pawn" tend to come off as half-hearted, notably on the opening two tracks. In other parts of the album, Apple simply comes off as tuneless.br /br /With the exception of "Fast As You Can", which really does pull off the trick of being utterly creepy, none of "When The Pawn"'s songs have a really memorable line or lyric: instead, they sound like Alanis Morrisette trying to be an art-rock singer. The lyrics, too, tend to be too much of the angsty, Melissa Etheridge-style "wronged lover" school to really be effective: there is not nearly enough personal reflection or serious storytelling.br /br /All in all, if you want to see a record that is truly "pretentious" whilst not achieving much, you've come to the right place. Stick with Tori's first two albums if you want some really genuine piano rock, though.