Word: anis
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...know, Ani DiFranco, the Indigo Girls, Joni Mitchell...
...most part, we have left these straightforward categories behind, but in high school, when we were less sure of ourselves and our identities, you could learn a lot from this question. Certain music provided very helpful associations, some more far-reaching than others. Liking Ani DiFranco was code for liberal politics and perhaps long flowery skirts or overalls. Liking Marilyn Manson meant you wanted to scare people. Liking Dave Matthews meant very little, perhaps on purpose. Bands no one ever heard of had their prestige, and if they had scary names, you were one step ahead of the game...
...Ani DiFranco...
...Fans of Ani DiFranco are never kept hungry for long. The prolific and punky folkster--who has no shortage of attitude or albums (15 in the last ten years)--comes out with her third record this year. To the Teeth is a satisfying helping of the "Righteous Babe" at her best. Poignant protest songs? Check. Gritty self-examination? Check. Groovy giggly-wiggly fun? Check. DiFranco provides her fans with everything that they would expect from her and more...
Only a few songs on To the Teeth fall short of Ani-esque brilliance. "Freakshow" begins its study of the circus with grinding guitars and grating vocals, yet concludes that the Big Top is essentially all about "love and compliance." There seems to be some sort of grand metaphor here, but DiFranco never clues us in. It's easy to skip over a song that squeals "And some of the clowns are happy/And some of the clowns are sad." Whatever you say, Ani. Many listeners may be confused and unsettled by the juxtaposition of extended clown analogies with aching accusations...