Fiona Apple returned to Minneapolis at the Orpheum Theater for the first time in 6 years on July 16th, 2012, touring for her new album, The Idler Wheel...I (along with many others, I assume) was very curious and in anticipation of Apple's return, as past reviews have not been exactly in her favor. I have been a big fan ever since the beginning of her career, as most of us have, with my personal favorite album being When The Pawn...I gave The Idler Wheel a few listens, and admittedly found it to be a challenging listen. So I approached the performance with mixed feelings, but wiped the slate clean and opened up to the experience.
The following are my thoughts on certain songs that I especially enjoyed.
She started off strong, with a bright version of Fast As You Can. Spinning around in strobe -style lights to the opening drums, with precise articulation of the complicated lyrical structure the song holds, it did the trick to disarm the audience.
She then delved into On the Bound. Belting out "You're all I need" with a desperation greater than what is conveyed in the album version. The neediness and insecurity of the song was raw and ever present in her performance.
Shadowboxer was up next, and it was a lush lament on lost love and abandonment. Soulful and thick.
Paper Bag was a gem. Whimsical and pessimistic all at once, she emphasized phrases with wormy twists and rigid foot stomping, in her eccentric little Fiona way.
Get Gone was next, and was one of my favorite performances of the night. Headstrong, raw and scornful. The part where she sings "fucking go" gave me the chills, which it never has with the album version.
Sleep to Dream was awesome. With guitarist Blake Mills holding the reigns, the song began with it's natural groove, and expanded. The way Fiona sang the song in her classic way, while also adding her new, grown up self to it made the song shiny, but reflective.
Extraordinary Machine was passionate and reflective. The way she sang "I'll make the most of it, I'm an extraordinary machine" was no longer for the sake of being sing-songy and indulgent. She sang it with a self assured tone that made you feel honestly happy for her.
I Know was captivating, mournful, and quietly bittersweet.
Every Single Night is her newest single on rotation here in Minneapolis. While my impression of it at first was difficult, I found it well composed and focused live. "I just wanna feel everything."
Carrion was towards the end of the night, and was incredibly powerful and stunning. It was slightly improvised vocally, primal, and self righteous. Hearing her howl "I've gone away" gave it a crescendo, and Blake broke through every exterior with his awesome guitar.
Criminal was the last song before her encore. I was surprised she chose to play it, and by the end I was pleased she chose to play it (unlike some artists who will never play their big hit live/Thom Yorke\) It was everything your old favorite is not. Comfortable in its own skin, Fiona reclaimed it and made it her own. Because after all, it IS hers, and hers alone....
As you can see, she played many old songs, which I interpret as making up for lost time and greatly appreciate. She played a total of 4 new songs on a 17 song setlist. Regardless of any comments about her appearance, her performance was triumphant. Her voice was often booming, jittery,(love or hate it, it's probably her style now), in tune, and raw in sections. Many times she would stand, wound up tightly and stamping her foot to her words, but eventually she would dance and spiral with fervent unconstraint. Nothing was ever forced, she was mostly confident, passionate, ardent, and reflective. Before her last song (a Conway Twitty song) she announced that it was to be her encore, and we should pretend she went off stage and came back on. A classy end to the night.
Her new songs were well portrayed and focused live. I get a feeling that there is a bit of genius behind these songs, not easily grasped with the naked ear.
One could get the sense that our fragile Fiona is going to be (gasp!)....alright.
Setlist:
Fast As You Can / On the Bound / Shadowboxer / Paper Bag / Anything We Want / Get Gone / Sleep to Dream / Extraordinary Machine / Werewolf / Tymps / Daredevil / I Know / Every Single Night / Not About Love / Carrion / Criminal / It's Only Make Believe (Conway Twitty cover)
