(10-track LP/ 1999/ 'SONY RECORDS')
Fiona, Fiona, what fruit have you been eating?
Having never heard Fiona before I had this album, I was expecting songs similar to Beth Orton's cute folk-pop stock. Instead, this sweet songstress generally opts for a fuller band sound with incredible production values. Less Orton-ish and more angst-ridden and in-keeping with the classic way Tori Amos vents her frustration with life, love and death, once Fiona is all-emotional there's no stopping her as on 'To Your Love' ('Please forgive for my distance, the pain is evident in my existence') But she's no pushover, and she's certainly not just a pretty face.
Despite the track title, 'Limp' is the song that gives this album the leg-up in terms of its catchy appeal, the upbeat front and cool percussive interlude suggesting she's a girl who likes to rock too.
Graced with a wicked way of articulating her skewed sensitivity, this feisty girl of goodness is so extraordinarily emotive it hurts; it really hurts. (STEVE RUDD)
www.fiona-apple.com