Review
When Fiona Apple set out to create her fourth studio album, she didn’t just push the envelope, she tore it apart and rewrote the rules. Released in 2012, The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do is a mesmerizing work of art that plunges headfirst into the turbulent waters of emotions. Strip away all the fanfare and production wizardry, and what you’re left with is Fiona Apple, raw and bare, with just her piano and percussion as accompaniment.
The album’s spare instrumentation belies a world of complexity and nuance, each song masterfully crafted to capture Apple’s breathtaking range – from raw heartbreak to tender romance – with vocals that conjure up visions of Laura Nyro’s haunting lyrical style. Dubbed “art pop,” the album draws on everything from 19th-century Romantic poetry to therapist’s couch confessions. When critics saluted the album with numerous top picks and accolades, one sensed that The Idler Wheel was anything but idle. It remained haunting with every heart-wrenching phrase sung.
Claiming a spot at #213 on Rolling Stone’s 2020 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, The Idler Wheel cemented Apple’s reputation as a fearless, introspective artist. Even years later, the album resonates deeply with listeners, its emotional intensity and raw honesty standing as a testament to Apple’s unmatched ability to turn vulnerability into profound, lasting art. - Milly
