Fiona Apple in Photos: The Evolution of an Extraordinary Machine

With Fiona Apple's 'The Idler Wheel...' making a strong debut on the Billboard Album Charts at the No. 3 slot, we're taking a look back on the singer-songwriter's intensely creative career. Although four albums in 16 years isn't exactly prolific, all of them—from 1996's 'Tidal' to her recent June 19 release—are clear-cut classics. Given Fiona's peerless, fearless ability to express her thoughts in a way that is both candid and literary, it's not hard to be in awe of her talents. Above, Fiona Apple poses for a portrait in New York prior to the release of her debut.

When Fiona stepped on the scene in the mid-'90s, she was lumped in with the era's radio-friendly songstress boom. Now we know she's much too strange for that classification.

Fiona Apple performing in December of 1996.

Gwen Stefani and Fiona Apple at the 39th Annual Grammys.

That was a cell phone back in the '90s.

After winning the 1997 VMA for Best New Artist, Apple delivered an ill-received acceptance speech: "This world is bullsh*t, and you shouldn't model your life on what we think is cool, and what we're wearing and what we're saying." She's pictured here with magician David Blaine.

Joanna Newsom was taking notes.

For Thanksgiving 1997, Fiona Apple teamed with PETA for a 1-888-VEG-FOOD hotline that attacked Butterball turkey and advocated vegetarian holiday alternatives. "There's no proper way to kill and cook these beautiful birds," Apple said in a recorded monologue. "Millions of people are learning that a vegetarian diet is the healthy choice for themselves, the earth and animals. And incidentally, they taste a lot better."

Fiona Apple and Bob Dylan at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards in 1998.

Madonna arriving with Fiona Apple at the 70th Annual Academy Awards in 1998.

Fiona Apple during the 1999 KROQ Almost Acoustic X-Mas in Los Angeles.

Nine-time GRAMMY winner Sheryl Crow and one-time Grammy winner Fiona Apple at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2001.

At the Mercedes-Benz Show in 2003.

Fiona Apple and her sister Amber at the EMI post-Grammy party in 2004 at the Los Angeles County Museum.

Jon Brion and Fiona Apple performing at the Benefit Concert for Katrina Relief in 2005. Brion produced the first version of Apple's 'Extraordinary Machine,' although most of the album was re-recorded with different producers, delaying its release by three years.

Fiona Apple at Virgin Records in NYC in 2005.

In-store performance and album signing at Tower Records in West Hollywood, October 7, 2005.

Fiona Apple at the SF Weekly Theatre on November 25, 2005 in San Francisco.

At The 48th Annual Grammy Awards in 2006.

Fiona Apple at L.A.'s Greek Theater in 2006.

At the 2006 Vegoose Music Festival in Las Vegas.

Fiona Apple performing with Nickel Creek in Central Park on August 14, 2007.

Jonathan Ames and Fiona Apple attend the premiere of HBO's "Bored to Death" in 2009. The song "Jonathan" from 'The Idler Wheel...' is about a day they spent at Coney Island.

At the Venice Family Clinic Silver Circle 2011 Gala in Beverly Hills, CA.

At Stubb's in Austin, TX, on March 14, 2012.

Fiona Apple gets viscous onstage.