With her rich alto voice, talents on the piano, and poetic lyrics, Apple's 1996 debut album, Tidal, remains her best album yet, in my opinion. Rich in hit singles ("Shadowboxer," "Slow Like Honey," "Sleep to Dream," "The First Taste," "Criminal," and "Never Is a Promise"), the album also resulted in a Tidal-wave of controversary following Apple's fiery comments at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards and 1998 Grammy Awards ceremonies. "Gotta love that Sullen Girl," I thought to myself at the time, and my opinion hasn't changed. There's not a bad Apple in the bunch of album tracks on Tidal:

1. Sleep To Dream
2. Sullen Girl
3. Shadowboxer
4. Criminal
5. Slow Like Honey
6. The First Taste
7. Never Is A Promise
8. The Child Is Gone
9. Pale September
10. Carrion

G. Merritt