Fiona Apple: Today

Fiona Apple's Tidal: VMP's 45 RPM Vinyl Pressing Delivers the Sonic Goods

Vinyl Me, Please, in collaboration with Sony Music Group, released Fiona Apple's critically acclaimed debut album "Tidal" as part of their Essentials series in 2020. This pressing follows their 2017 Record of the Month edition, which marked the album's first-ever vinyl release.

The Album's Legacy
"Tidal" established Apple as a formidable musical force upon its 1996 release. The album spawned three charting singles: "Shadowboxer," "Sleep to Dream," and most notably "Criminal," which earned Apple the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. Its cultural impact has only grown with time—"Tidal" is featured in the book "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die," and in 2022, Rolling Stone magazine ranked it among the "100 Best Debut Albums of All Time."

Technical Specifications
This VMP edition received special treatment as a two-record set pressed on 180-gram vinyl at 45 RPM—a format typically reserved for audiophile releases. Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound handled the remastering from the original analog tapes, promising superior sound quality compared to standard pressings.

Sound Quality Assessment
The 45 RPM format delivers on its promise of enhanced audio fidelity. Despite being pressed at Memphis Record Pressing—a facility with a somewhat inconsistent reputation—this release offers impressive sound quality. The bass response is particularly noteworthy, providing substantial impact without overwhelming the mix. Apple's distinctive vocals come through with remarkable clarity, though occasionally they get slightly buried in more complex passages.

The overall presentation features excellent detail retrieval and instrumental separation, creating an engaging and immersive listening experience that does justice to Apple's emotional performances and the album's sophisticated arrangements.

Manufacturing Notes
While sonically impressive, some manufacturing inconsistencies are evident. The review copy features unfinished, slightly sharp edges—a quality control issue that occasionally plagues Memphis Record Pressing's output. However, the records themselves are commendably flat and relatively quiet during playback, which are more critical factors for sound quality.

The Vinyl Verdict
VMP's 45 RPM release of "Tidal" stands as the definitive vinyl version of this important album currently available. The combination of Ted Jensen's remastering and the audiophile-oriented 45 RPM format results in a presentation that surpasses any previous release of this material.

For those unable or unwilling to pay the aftermarket prices that VMP exclusives often command, there's good news: the 2023 release by Clean Slate/Epic Records utilizes essentially the same mastering, making it a worthy alternative at a more accessible price point.

Either way, experiencing Apple's raw, emotional debut album with this level of sonic clarity adds new dimensions to an already powerful musical statement—a fitting treatment for one of the most impressive debut albums of the 1990s.💰


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