How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
Value for Money
Advantages:
Powerful, honest, dedicated effort by an up - and - coming musician .
Disadvantages:
Some may not like the bold approaches to controversial topics .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
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 to their speakers - and keeps us begging for more.
The creative powers that vested themselves inside Ani's brilliant mind did not pause or fall short with the production of this record. Ani also penned and recorded "Lost Woman Song" which is featured toward the middle of this full-length album. It is a softer, highly-influential and poignant look at a woman having an abortion. Yes, it is a controversial topic, but Ani handles it with a skill and grace that is so beautiful it made me cry the first time I heard it. She also does not specifically state that abortion is the topic: Rather, she discusses it candidly, making strong references but never giving it away. It is creative and powerful: Enough so that I had to listen to the song several times before I captured the FULL range of messages that she is sending out.
Another memorable track would be "Talk To Me Now," one of my favorite DiFranco songs. This medium-paced acoustic guitar medley is thoroughly saturated with Ani's emotions, her personal experiences in a strange new city scattered throughout the composition. She is raw and bold, capturing her determination on record and exposing it for the entire world to partake of. "Yeah, and when I'm approached in a dark alley I don't lift up my skirt / In this city self-preservation is a full-time occupation / I'm determined to survive on this shore, you know I don't avert my eyes anymore / In a man's world I am a woman by birth and after nineteen times around I have found that they will stop at nothing once they know what you are worth, talk to me now"
This folk musician is one of the most influential artists I have ever heard. Out of all the CDs in my collection (almost 300, to be exact), this record is the one that I play the most. I have owned it for several years, but find something new to enjoy about it every time I put it into my stereo. It is witty, charming, and gritty - with a very honest tone that Ani makes sure to keep on the front line. If you're looking for something melodic, slightly depressing, and thought-provoking from a musician that isn't on the top of the charts, pick up this CD. You'll not be disappointed!
Unfortunately, I cannot tell you anything about the cover art, inlays, or other packaging, as I only have a CD-R copy of this disc (and no, I DID NOT steal it off the Internet - I got it long before I started pirating software and I oh...nevermind.) However, if you look on the Internet (righteousbabe.com or CDNow.com) you will see JPEG images of her various cover artwork. While most are simply photographs of herself in different stages (shaved head/nose ring/dreads/purple hair/etc.) you will also find interesting backdrops for some of the covers, such as a psychedelic scene or a simple background of shadows, with our favorite folk singer perched on a guitar stool. Whatever the case, she DOES put some thought into the cover art, but it is obviously not her main goal or focus. Rather, she concentrates her attention to more important things such as quality of musi and lyrical content, creating a sublime and thought-provoking hour or so of entertainment for listeners.
If you're interested in music by artists such as the Indigo Girls, Sarah McLachlan, or Shawn Colvin, I definitely suggest that you check out Ani DiFranco's work. You will find a very strong, self-empowered woman behind every song, making bold statements and taking no prisoners as she rises to the top of the empire she has created for herself.
More details
How does it rate alongside the competition
Outstanding
Cover / Inlay Design and Content
Satisfactory
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