When the Pawn...

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American album certifications – Fiona Apple – When the Pawn". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved March 29, 2020. Funnily enough, Rolling Stone didn’t get the point of 90-world album title. They thought it was weird for the sake of being weird. Rob Sheffield wrote, “Read it out loud and realize that it doesn't make a damn bit of sense no matter how you slice it.” If only they knew.

Linden, Amy (December 1999). "Fiona Apple - 'When the Pawn...' ". Vibe. 7 (10): 257. ISSN 1070-4701. a b Sheffield, Rob (November 25, 1999). "When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks Like a King..." Rolling Stone . Retrieved January 4, 2023. a b Martin, Piers (March 15, 2000). "Fiona Apple – When The Pawn..." NME. Archived from the original on June 4, 2000 . Retrieved April 6, 2016.It’s February 1998, and Fiona Apple is sitting on her tour bus, a copy of SPIN in hand, eyes wet. Just a few months earlier, the magazine plastered her pouty face on the cover of their “Girl Issue.” The inside spread had Apple curling up on a couch and covering herself with cushions as if she were trying to disappear into the piece of furniture altogether, her attempt at escaping from the now-shunned, once-celebrated photographer Terry Richardson. When it came to the cover story, another man was behind the lens. Writer John Weir painted her as a self-indulgent teenager who traded in her misery for a “dollop of fame.”

Gardner, Elysa (November 9, 1999). "Assured Apple Challenges Her Audience". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 21, 2016 . Retrieved April 6, 2016. a b Browne, David (November 12, 1999). "When the Pawn..." Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 15, 2016 . Retrieved April 6, 2016. Fiona Apple". GRAMMY.com. 2018-05-22. Archived from the original on 2020-05-28 . Retrieved 2018-06-25.

Contributors

The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". Rolling Stone. September 22, 2020. Archived from the original on October 8, 2020 . Retrieved September 24, 2020. Best Albums of the '90s". Slant Magazine. February 14, 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-02-18 . Retrieved 2011-05-06. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks Like a King... – Fiona Apple". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 4, 2016 . Retrieved April 6, 2016. Best Albums of the Past 25 Years". Spin. 15 February 2012. Archived from the original on 29 September 2013 . Retrieved 21 January 2016.

In comparison to Apple's debut album Tidal, Harrington stated, " When the Pawn is a decidedly more mature work that trades in youthful melodrama for somber ruminations on shattered relationships and romantic obsession". [7] In The New Rolling Stone Album Guide, Jenny Eliscu states that Pawn is "more musically complex and melodically advanced" than the previous album, while focusing on Apple's "sultry voice and moody piano playing". [2] Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone gave the album three-and-a-half out of five stars, calling it "richer, deeper and stronger than Tidal, in every way", with "a far more muscular approach to both the songs and the singing". [23] Entertainment Weekly 's David Browne awarded the album an A grade, praising Jon Brion's production as well as Apple's songwriting: "Apple hasn't gained much in psychic confidence following the success of Tidal. On When the Pawn..., Apple presents herself as a mental shambles, and she's more than happy to tell us about it." [17] Pitchfork originally gave the album a score of eight out of ten, with reviewer Chip Chanko praising Apple's lyrics, writing: "[Apple] seems older. Her voice is full of a heartfelt soul that seems almost timeless. While Billie Holiday would never have considered the possibility of lines like, 'It won't be long till you'll be/ Lying limp in your own hand,' Apple executes them flawlessly with a modern passion." [26] Amy Linden of Vibe wrote: " When the Pawn... is full of images that resonate. Apple's a sad, sultry woman with a sense of who she is—even if that person isn't someone she wants to be. Once again, her pain brings us joy." [27] Piers Martin of NME rated it a 5 out of 10, calling it Apple's "second album of Amos-aping MTV-branded Lilith Fair fodder." [19]Chanko, Chip. "Fiona Apple: When the Pawn..." Pitchfork. Archived from the original on June 11, 2007 . Retrieved January 21, 2016. The album was praised for its production, which was described as “uncluttered” and “spare”. Apple’s songwriting and vocal delivery were also praised, with some critics noting her ability to convey a range of emotions. The album also featured a number of guest musicians, such as pianist Jon Brion and bassist Sebastian Steinberg. Upon its release, When the Pawn... broke the record for longest album title at 444 characters (previously held by a volume in The Best... Album in the World...Ever!). [9] [10] Chumbawamba themselves would later hold the record with 2008's The Boy Bands Have Won, whose full title contains 865 characters, nearly twice as many as When the Pawn...'s. In 2019, Apple collaborated with King Princess on a cover of "I Know". The song was released for Spotify's RISE program on January 25. [12] Selected items are only available for delivery via the Royal Mail 48® service and other items are available for delivery using this service for a charge.