A Mazeldiker Yid - Di Naye Kapelye

Advantages: Some good tracks...
Disadvantages: A lot of it is very samey...

...Arcan, but this could be because it is one of only three non-English songs here. It stands out because of the change in language and I happen to prefer her singing in her natural tongue. Although it has the same kind of beat and feel to it, it sounds somehow more complete and less derivative than most of the album. The other Ukrainian songs - Kolomyika and Hutsul Girl - are good tracks too and some of the best on the album. The former has a lovely haunting slow opening to it, but doesn't sound as fresh as Arcan, perhaps suffering from its placing on the CD. By the twelfth track, even my enthusiasm is waning. Kolomyika does have a few interesting musical accompaniments going on and some angry shouting from Olexander Ksenofontov, which is very effective, but the shi-ga-di-na-donna bits are very reminiscent of Wild Dances (which provided... Read review

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Advantages: Powerful, honest, dedicated effort by an up-and-coming musician.
Disadvantages: Some may not like the bold approaches to controversial topics.

...In 1990, New York-based folk musician Ani DiFranco launched Righteous Babe Records, an independent record label designed to share "unorthodox" music with a culture engrossed in MTV and VH1 pop and rap trends. Along with this successful label, Ani also released her self-titled debut album - an outstanding mix of folk rock and slight country with faint influences of jazz, blues, and a tiny shred of funk here and there to keep things interesting. DiFranco grabs your ear from the first track: "Both Hands," a very simple acoustic guitar piece that cuts right to the heart of the matter. In this song, Ani's slightly-lilting, raw-edged voice pleads with her lover to touch her with both hands. "I am writing graffiti on your body / I am drawing the story of how hard we tried..." It's an emotional, tense ballad that keeps listeners glued... Read review

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Advantages: As with the others I've reviewed, this record is original, thought provoking, honest, and introspective - with plenty of varied musical styles to keep the listener hooked.
Disadvantages: There are a couple of tracks that seem a bit "out of place" though they are still more than worth listening to.

...As you all know good and well, Ani DiFranco is my all-time, never-beaten, most-favorite musician. Ever. To me, she’s even better than legendary Stevie Ray Vaughan who, here in Texas, is worshiped as the godlike figure that he really was. She’s even cooler than Melissa Etheridge, way more talented than Courtney Love, and – simply put – one of the most honest musicians in today’s wild recording industry. I love her music, and while I don’t completely agree with each and every message she sends to her listeners, I can still enjoy hearing her point of view through song and spoken word. She founded Righteous Babe Records in 1990. It is an independent record label based in Buffalo, New York that still utilizes business from local artists, copy shops, et cetera in order to help her produce, design... Read review

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