By BRUNO J. NAVARRO, Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK - Fiona Apple (news) fans wondering when the artist's third CD would see the light of day might want to keep an eye on one enthusiast's online petition.


Dave Muscato, a Missouri musician and Apple afficionado, founded the Web site www.freefiona.com last month in an effort to pressure her record label to release "Extraordinary Machine." Apple's follow-up to "Tidal" and "When the Pawn ..." reportedly has been finished since May 2003.

"They didn't think it had enough commercial appeal to justify the cost of promoting it and distributing it," Muscato recently told AP Radio. "So even though it was already recorded, they'd already spent the money to record it, they basically decided to just cut their losses and stick it on a shelf."

A message left at Epic Records, Apple's label, was not immediately returned Monday.

For every signature on Muscato's petition, the Free Fiona! campaign plans to send a fake apple to Andrew Lack, the CEO of parent company Sony BMG, "as a symbol of protest and support for Fiona Apple," he said. A demonstration outside Sony headquarters in New York is also planned on Jan. 28.

As of Monday, the Web site has gathered more than 2,600 signatures. It also raised nearly $1,000 from donations and sales of T-shirts and bumper stickers, Muscato said.

"It's really taken off faster than I thought," he said.

Muscato, 20, says he had heard a couple of tracks from the unreleased album that were leaked on the Internet, so he's not worried he's going through all this trouble for an album that might not be worth it.

"Even if it's no good, which I'm sure isn't the case, I would at least like to buy it and decide that for myself," he said.

On the Web:


Free Fiona!, http://www.freefiona.com/


Fiona Apple, http://www.fiona-apple.com/


Epic Records, http://www.epicrecords.com/

Only heard her cover versions of Jimi's "Angel" and The Beatles'
"Across the universe" , pretty cool

Too bad the album is stuck on the shelf
I hope she gets signed to another record company , or they decide to
release it after all
[Edited 12/23/04 18:32pm]

I've heard the song "Extraordinary Machine" and one other, and I loved them both. They really need to release this album already!

Someone remind me to send an apple Jan 24. I'm in the mood to protest something. AND I WANT TO HEAR THIS CD!

I signed it, maybe when it gets to 10,000 they'll actually do something. I wanna hear the album already

...and so the hype machine begins.

CalhounSq said:

It's up to 9700 now! I hope it does make a difference. I know if you sell 10,000 cds independently, record companies start to take notice of you, so 10,000 signatures might to the trick!

I'm not a huge Fiona fan but I am thrilled that the fans are putting preassure on the record company. Power the record buying public!

Hell, I just signed it!

This is fucking crazy for the record company to shelve this album.

RELEASE IT!

I think its so funny that they are sending apples to the CEO. When I first heard about that, I thought people were sending real apples.

How do you like them apples?

:apple:
[Edited 12/24/04 11:41am]

man that petition things pretty cool..bout 2 go sign it..but why doesnt fiona juist say screw the lable and release it herself?

Moonwalkbjrain said:

Well does SHE own it or do THEY?

VinaBlue said:

I really hope so

CalhounSq said:

Well... if they paid for the recording of it, then they do. I think that's usually how it works. I think the same thing happened to Aimee Mann and she ended up re-recording her album and releasing it herself independently.

VinaBlue said:

Otherwise I'm SURE she'd love to say "screw you" & do it herself but she'd have to kiss that particular album/batch of songs goodbye

Damn, it's up to over 14,000 signatures now! http://www.petitiononline...cgi?Fiona9

SWEEEEET!

Signed it!

REMINDER: Yesterday was Apple day. I sent mine out today. If you didn't yet, just print out a picture of an apple, write Free Fiona on it and send it to-

Andrew Lack
550 Madison Avenue
32nd Floor
New York, NY 10022

It only takes a minute.

TheJourney4all7 said:

I'm gonna do it!

Just signed it. They've got over 21,000 signatures already



She's got more fans than Prince man.