30 Years Ago, This Young Star Amazed Critics With Her Debut, but the Industry Bristled at Her Unmarketable Image

On July 23, 1996, Fiona Apple released her debut album, Tidal. The album kick-started a wildly successful yet overwhelming career for the 18-year-old. Tracks like “Criminal”, “Shadowboxer”, and “Sleep to Dream” put her on the map, alongside contemporaries like Alanis Morissette, Liz Phair, and Tori Amos. But Apple was one of the youngest of this…