Fetus - Franco Battiato

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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Advantages: Once again, it is a creative and introspective folk album.
Disadvantages: The cover art really, really blows. We're talking major chunks here.

...1995 was a damned good year for music. Sweetwater, Nirvana, and the like – basically, your typical American grunge scene with a little alternative rock thrown in to keep fans interested. All kinds of popular and up-and-coming acts copyrighted and released new material in ’95, to create a nice blend of music for fans to snap up like bacon bits in a dog food dish. But, as much as I would love to talk about how 1995 is my absolute FAVORITE year for great music, I’m here to discuss the absolute BEST effing album to hit the market that entire year: Ani DiFranco’s “Puddle Dive.” I will start off for once by listing its weak points: The cover art sucks. Ani specializes in using local (Buffalo, NY) talents to assist her in the production, design, and release phases of each recording she... Read review

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