To the record company executive holding on to Fiona Apple's "Extraordinary Machine"

Look, it's not always about safe money, is it?

What you don't seem to comprehend is that it's not actually healthy for everyone to produce exactly the same kind of music, because then we've heard it all before. We get bored. And we don't really have a reason to buy the latest thing, because it sounds exactly the same as what we already have.

Whereas if someone does something that doesn't sound the same, at least some of those bored listeners might sit up and take notice and think there's something worth buying, because it will actually enhance their collection rather than merely expand it.

The lack of an obvious single should be celebrated, not feared. Pick a non-obvious single and emphasise its originality. My suggestion would be to find a slightly quirky film and get the title track inserted into it. Quite possibly over the opening credits, it's that kind of song.

Then release the darn album in time to catch the resulting wave of interest, dammit!!!