Ani Difranco - Ani Difranco
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Free Music Notes for Ani Difranco
Free Music Review: The journey of a thousand steps, and albums, at her pace
Hit: 5 Stars
This is the step that started her journey, at least on record. This is one of those types of debut albums where, had Ani been run over by a bus a week after this album was released, just this one audio snapshot of her songs should have been enough to cement her place as one of the greatest minds of her (and my) generation. A young woman and an acoustic guitar = Magic, when that young woman is Ani.
Both Hands: A miracle? This song will never get old. It's pretty incredible to think that this song, these lyrics and this performance, are the first song on the first album by someone who was only 19-years-old at the time.
Over the years, one of the many things that anti-Ani people have given as reasons for not liking her is the affected vocals with which she sometimes sings. She seems to go through stages where it is more and less apparent. If the affected vocals are not for you, then this album is for you. If some of the ways she sings things on Puddle Dive (for instance) drive you nuts, then you should check this album out. I love Puddle Dive, but I realize that is a vocal phase that some people do not like. Here, on the self-title debut, you get what could probably be considered Ani's best album of just purely singing. I mean, if you can't be moved by The Story then you're probably just not an Ani person. =)
Lost Woman Song, Rush Hour, Work Your Way Out, etc... I didn't know of her when this album first came out, but had I been a New Yorker walking out of the late-night Club Fleabag smoke and greeting the chilly nighttime air after just catching this Ani Difranco girl for the first time, I'd have had her name written down on my arm so I could remember it by the time I got home, knowing full well I need to keep my ears and eyes out for more from her. Then again, I was only 14 when she was 19 and she was way beyond me, in every way. Maybe it's better that it happened as it did. =)
Free Music Review: Simple and beautiful
Hit: 5 Stars
I was cautious about getting this album because I was pretty new to Ani's stuff, just having Dilate and Little Plastic Castle before it. I loved those two albums, but had heard that this one is very different, and since it was her first album, I wondered if it would be as polished as her later ones.I had no reason to worry. This is an absolutely gorgeous album, worth it for anyone who likes Ani or anyone who is genuinely interested in the music of a young woman whose perfectly structured lyrics just about any female who is at least 16 can identify with. The entire album features only Ani and her guitar. The melodies are addictive and Ani's voice is pure and does not yet have the gruff and often sarcastic quality that it does now, and she sings very clearly, so the lyrics are easy to understand.
The lyrics.. Ani writes some of the best lyrics I have ever seen. This album is no exception, and has some of my very favorites. It has songs about love and its disappointments ("Both Hands", "Letting the Telephone Ring", "Fire Door", "Every Angle", "Work Your Way Out", "Rush Hour"), women in society ("The Story", "Dog Coffee", "Pale Purple", "Talk to Me Now"), abortion ("Lost Woman Song"), exhaustion ("Out of Habit"). Every song on the album is a gem, even though I don't identify with all of them.
So, now I have this along with Dilate, Little Plastic Castle, Puddle Dive, Living in Clip, Not a Pretty Girl, and To the Teeth. This album is my favorite of those.
Free Music Review: Ani's Roots
Hit: 5 Stars
This was Ani DiFranco's debut album, and it shows exactly what later turned her into a cult-followed superstar. This is Ani at her most basic. Very simple acoustic guitar. Very simple melodies. Only the lyrics are great.
This album happened before she became a passionate, in-your-face folk/rock artist. And long before she became a master in musical experimentation.
This album gives us a chance to see Ani in her simplest form. Singing the lyrics she loves in her most gentle voice.
Even back then, she wasn't afraid to mention her body parts, her political beliefs or her feelings, even when they're not picture-pretty. She was honest right from the start.
And though most fans will say "She gets better later" -- I think most of them still wouldn't want to part with this album.
It has a poetic, plain, urban quality that makes you remember that purple sunset in a crowded city, when you were holding hands with a guy you haven't seen in years.
Free Music Review: Ani says what most people can't find the words to express
Hit: 5 Stars
I received this CD from a friend as I was on the verge of beginning a new phase in my life (I had moved) and even now, two and a half years later I can recall, in vivid detail, the wonderment and the sense of freedom I felt when I listen to this CD. I have a fondness for this music that will break barriers of time and popular culture. I believe that when I am 90 years old I will be listening to "both hands" in my rocker, with my eyes closed and still seeing, as if in reality, the open stretch of road before me, the blue sky above me, and feel the wind in my hair, the sun warm on my face and most importantly...a peace and rest in my heart. Her music takes me to honest places in myself and says some of the most important things that most people can't find the words to express. I have thanked my friend for the gift of this CD so often that she went out and bought me Ani's double live CDs...maybe I should thank her again:-)Free Music Review: One of Ani's very best
Hit: 5 Stars
'Not a pretty girl' was my first Ani album, and it took awhile to grow on me, but not I own 10 of Ani's albums and I love every one. This album (her first) is definitely one of my favorites (along with '...Pretty girl', 'Dilate', and 'Imperfectly'). If you're looking to buy your first Ani album, I highly reccommend either this one or 'not a pretty girl'. "Rush hour", "fire door", and "out of habit" are my favorite tracks. No other contemporary songwriter comes close to matching Ani's amazing lyrics and melodies. She sings everything that you've ever wanted to say, but couldn't find the right words. I love Ani, she's amazing, I don't know where I'd be if I'd never stumbled across her music. Essential listening for any feminist, beautiful music that anyone can appreciate. She's awesome! If you like Ani, make sure you check out Sleater-Kinney, The Smiths, Tori Amos, and Elliot Smith.