After a seven year hiatus from the recording studio, Fiona Apple marks her comeback with the new album “The Idler Wheel.” It’s a cathartic journey through Apple’s mind, love life and tormented past. At times, the album feels like Apple is opening up her diary for all to see. The songs can be a bit disjointed and have a stream-of-consciousness vibe about them. Most of the album features melancholy crooning over heartfelt piano notes, expert drumming and plenty of miscellaneous instruments. However, the album is not all gloom and doom. The tunes “Hot Knife” and “Periphery” are more playful and jaunty than some of the other forlorn tracks. Overall, Apple has matured, both musically and psychologically, during the better part of a decade since her last record, and the progress shows in her latest installment. Grade: B-
____ Contact Taylor Schoen at [email protected]