Ever since the release of Fiona Apple's first album Tidal, I've wanted her. I mean, I've wanted more music from her--which she finally produced after three years. What I like the most about her debut are the slow emotional, some would say dark, songs that defined her as the moodiest of the new wave of angry female rockers to emerge over the past few years. The bulk of the songs on her new album have a similar feel, but are generally a little more upbeat. They are not, however, any less moody.

She writes all her own material, a quality I highly respect--especially in young singers. She speaks out strongly on veganism, has been hounded by critics and has spoken her share of offensive words in her day, all of which adds to my attraction to her and her music. When her first album was released, she was just nineteen years old and it shocked many listeners with her incredibly personal and insightful lyrics.

I can't say that her style has necessarily matured (as she seemed very mature for her age at the time her first album debuted) but I would say she has progressed. Instead of every song being somber tributes to lost loves and lousy lovers she includes some interestingly jazzy pop numbers, but it does not really include what I would call a radio-friendly single. She also seems to be taking greater risks as an artist; for example, insisting her album title be ninety words long, including some strange instrumental jams in her songs and pushing herself both musically and lyrically.

This album sounds as if it could have been recorded in the same sessions as the first, with the bolder, less mainstream numbers locked up to be released later when the public was ready. If you liked her first album, you'll more than likely like this one just as well. If you didn't, this one is even more forbidden fruit.