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Who here grew up in the ‘90s? Raise your hands up high where I can see them. Care to share some ‘90s nostalgia? Feel free to respond below.

 

When I think of the ‘90s, I’m reminded of the TGIF lineup on ABC, Saturday morning cartoons, Hocus Pocus, “The Power Rangers” (and how I used to be teased for having the same name as the villain, Rita Repulsa), VHS and cassette tapes, rice krispy treats cereal, pizza lunchables, skip-it, the talkboy, overalls, Doc Martens, gel pens, Hot Uncle Jesse, blind man’s buff, boy bands, girl bands, and so. much. more.

 

I know, quite a lengthy list, but it’s missing something. How about iconic ‘90s music? I can honestly say that the most haunting (verging on disturbing) piece of musical nostalgia from the ‘90s was the video for “Criminal” by Fiona Apple. Do you remember the lyrics to this song and the waif-like images of the almost-bare Fiona in this video?! I remember it like it was yesterday.

 

Each decade is marked by a brilliant artist who defies the odds and pushes the boundaries. Fiona Apple owned that title in the ‘90s with her provocative “bad, bad girl” image. Singer-songwriter Apple emerged onto the scene in 1996 and received much critical acclaim for her debut album, Tidal, which went triple-platinum and earned her a Grammy Award for the single “Criminal”. The controversial music video, directed by Mark Romanek, was her claim to fame and became a guilty pleasure among teenagers around the world. Fans were instantly drawn to Apple’s husky singing voice and bluesy tone, raw and edgy lyrics, and spellbinding performances. Her subsequent albums, When The Pawn... (1999), Extraordinary Machine (2005), and The Idler Wheel... (2012) were also met with positive reviews from fans.

 

Apple represented the anti-pop princess. Her brutal honesty and vulnerability made her a rock icon. Apple was not a puppet of the entertainment business, and this is what fans admire about her. She channels her dark emotions, passion, and intensity into her work and moves fans with her music. In return, fans give her the love and validation she needs, which she realized later on. Apple garnered her fair share of media attention with her songs, videos, weight, and attire. However, she became a tabloid sensation after her notorious MTV Award Acceptance Speech in 1997. It’s no secret that Apple had a traumatic childhood and a troubled past, but I think focusing her energy on her music allowed for a cathartic experience.

 

In The Idler Wheel..., Apple’s latest album, you can hear her transformation and newfound sense of peace and maturity. After 15+ years in the music business and a few hiatuses here and there, we’re all looking forward to Fiona Apple’s big comeback with her new album and headlining tour. If you’d like to download her album, you can visit iTunes and tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster. Now, let’s wish Ms. Fiona Apple (our high school crush) a very happy birthday! How about a walk down memory lane?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Rita Korkounian, YH Staff