Extraordinary Machine
by Fiona Apple
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Oct 4, 2005
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 221 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 197 out of 221
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 221
  3. Negative: 12 out of 221

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  1. AlexisB.
    May 18, 2007
    10
    LITERALLY my all time favourite album, im not here to talk abt which version is better but to talk abt fiona's work and evolvement as an artist, she broke every line with EM. Jon Brion did an amazing work with Not About Love, Red Red Red and Used to Love Him while Elizondo did an amazing work for get Him Back, O sailor (2 thumbs up!) and Window...but i must say that, to me, some LITERALLY my all time favourite album, im not here to talk abt which version is better but to talk abt fiona's work and evolvement as an artist, she broke every line with EM. Jon Brion did an amazing work with Not About Love, Red Red Red and Used to Love Him while Elizondo did an amazing work for get Him Back, O sailor (2 thumbs up!) and Window...but i must say that, to me, some Brion tracks were totally unhearable (get Him back) and cold (Oh Sailor) while Elizondo did his best to make a world out of every song and indeed, he succeeded...amazing album, one of those that u just listen to but cant quite figure out how to criticize it… Expand
  2. MinhN
    Nov 21, 2005
    2
    I am a huge fan of Fiona Apple and I found this album not even remotely as good as her previous works (tidal, when the pawn...) I've listened to it a half dozen times and have found nothing memorable about it. Sterile, lukewarm, and very very overrated.
  3. kyle
    Nov 24, 2005
    10
    great cd, better than id ever expected.
  4. jim
    Nov 26, 2005
    0
    yawn.
  5. jyo_tirmaya
    Mar 12, 2012
    8
    I found this album/CD at the record shop in brand new condition. I didn't buy it originally for certain reasons, but now that I have it, I can't stop playing it. I enjoy this album much more than Fiona Apple's previous albums - although those are very good also. There's something about this album that makes for good listening. The overall sound is lighter than her older material, but itI found this album/CD at the record shop in brand new condition. I didn't buy it originally for certain reasons, but now that I have it, I can't stop playing it. I enjoy this album much more than Fiona Apple's previous albums - although those are very good also. There's something about this album that makes for good listening. The overall sound is lighter than her older material, but it has an easy flow which is very enjoyable. Pitchfork needs to loosen up a little. They are so anal - this album is much better than a 6.2 rating. I give it an "8" which stands for almost excellent. I am so sorry I didn't look for this album when it first came out.… Expand
  6. Vampire25
    Jul 10, 2012
    10
    I've always known about Fiona Apple, but never gave her the light of day. Hype is an evil thing. The hype surrounding this album however is 100% accurate, it's a fantastic album. Every track is sung with such beautiful honesty from Apple that you really can understand what she's feeling and what she's been through. I love this album with a such a passion. A
  7. Ricko
    Jul 17, 2020
    7
    More often than not, when an album is made and then shelved, it is with good reason. I haven't heard the first, unreleased version of "Extraordinary Machine" but having listened to the official version many times, I wonder was the issue genuinely with the production etc or was the problem essentially down to the material. This is a fine fine album for sure but in comparison to her otherMore often than not, when an album is made and then shelved, it is with good reason. I haven't heard the first, unreleased version of "Extraordinary Machine" but having listened to the official version many times, I wonder was the issue genuinely with the production etc or was the problem essentially down to the material. This is a fine fine album for sure but in comparison to her other work, this is my least favourite album. There is something a bit too straightforward about too much of it if you get me. For a follow up that took 6 years, it sounds dry and lacking in real flavour. It exists, is enjoyable and then is gone whereas much of the rest of her work leaves me obsessively revisiting. Most people would give a limb to write something as good as this but when you've set a standard as high as she has it doesn't quite measure up. Then again, what do I know?… Expand
  8. thegetaway
    Apr 15, 2021
    10
    Extraordinary Machine stands as a powerful piece of work by Ms. Fiona Apple and there really is no need to compare it to her other work. The writing and performances still sound as passionate, creative, strikingly beautiful, magical and unleashed as ever, and in my humble opinion, the album is, truly extraordinary.
  9. ultipop19
    Mar 11, 2018
    10
    This was the record that made Kanye West want to be the hip-hop Fiona Apple. Yet during the three years Apple labored over this ambitiously ornate song cycle, fans wondered if the album would ever see the light of day. After recording with producer Jon Brion, she scrapped the results and rerecorded most of the album from scratch. But with the pained, confessional balladry of "O' Sailor"This was the record that made Kanye West want to be the hip-hop Fiona Apple. Yet during the three years Apple labored over this ambitiously ornate song cycle, fans wondered if the album would ever see the light of day. After recording with producer Jon Brion, she scrapped the results and rerecorded most of the album from scratch. But with the pained, confessional balladry of "O' Sailor" and "Red Red Red," Apple sings with enough emotion to make Machine worth every day of the wait.Extraordinary Machine is the #49 best album of the 00s

    HOT TRACKS:

    *Extraordinay Machine
    *Oh Well
    *Tymps
    *Parting Gift
    *Not About Love
    *Get Him Back
    *Watz    … Expand
  10. All_ButTrU4
    Feb 11, 2022
    5
    solid set of passionate, angry, marvelously produced songs delivered by a singular voice, and it succeeds by following a muse that doesn't just ignore genre distinctions and pop delineations—it doesn't know they exist.
  11. Predy17
    Mar 11, 2020
    10
    This album it's so underrated that hurts!... This work has many amazing compositions... Extraordinary Machine it's one of the most underrated gems of the 2000's!
  12. panzcoolg
    Nov 20, 2020
    9
    Extraordinary Machine is an understated, excellent album in its own right, but the effects of the record label upon this album can be felt today. Apple's genius, however, manages to shine through despite corporate meddling.
  13. After_peep08
    Mar 4, 2023
    10
    she's such an icon and this is perfect. fiona apple will always be the music industry
  14. custodiotiago86
    Sep 4, 2023
    9
    Extraordinary Machine" stands as a pivotal milestone in Fiona Apple's career, marking her most exceptional work to date. This album displays a heightened sense of maturity and musical exploration, showcasing her evolution as an artist. With its intricate melodies and profound lyrical depth, it serves as a testament to her artistic growth and innovation. Undoubtedly, it's a remarkableExtraordinary Machine" stands as a pivotal milestone in Fiona Apple's career, marking her most exceptional work to date. This album displays a heightened sense of maturity and musical exploration, showcasing her evolution as an artist. With its intricate melodies and profound lyrical depth, it serves as a testament to her artistic growth and innovation. Undoubtedly, it's a remarkable accomplishment deserving of a well-deserved 9.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Best Album of 2005
26
#26 Most Discussed Album of 2005
46
#46 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    100
    The cleaner take on Extraordinary Machine is like a trip to a less cluttered haunted house, and Apple's more nuanced delivery sticks the knife in, but slowly. It's both charming and devastating. [7 Oct 2005, p.72]
  2. The New York Times
    90
    There's a new layer of perspective on her magnificent third album. [3 Oct 2005]
  3. Billboard
    80
    With a less confessional and more confrontational attitude, this long-gestating album has lost the tenderness found on "Tidal" and some of "When the Pawn . . .," but her execution still commands attention. [8 Oct 2005]
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