2 years ago, Fiona Apple recorded an album called Extraordinary Machine that Epic Records has refused to put it out, deeming it not commercial enough. The songs are out there though in mp3 format on bit Torrent and a small group of fans have been lobbying for the album's release. You can sign a petition if you want at www.freefiona.com.

Slate.com has an article today that suggests that Epic may be right to not risk capital on an album that is not going to sell in big numbers. Apple herself has not made any sort of statement about the album, suggesting that she may not care one way or another whether it gets released. It's also possible that her reputation as a troublemaker and her penchant for speaking her mind might have pissed off the wrong person at Epic, causing them to keep the album in limbo indefinitely.

For now, illegally downloading it, if you can find it, is the only way to hear it. It's an interesting sounding album, from the 5 tracks that I've heard. Nothing too groundbreaking but different enough that, yeah, most of the music buying public wouldn't really give two shits about it.