Customer Reviews

Knuckle Down

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Although Ani Difranco has been directed away from her usual extensive touring - doctor's orders - and has thus been unable to promote her umpteenth studio album, "Knuckle Down" as heavily as previous releases, that in no way prevents it from being an outstanding achievement, much like the majority of her LPs. Though it does not quite match the sheer, uniform brilliance of its predecessor, 2004's lo-fi "Educated Guess," a triumphant collection of songs that fused the melancholy embers of her recent divorce and current political state of the US, it nevertheless is home to a new host of essential Difranco tunes.

The disc is initiated by the frantic, frothily produced self-exploration of the title track, which Difranco ends by observing, "still that star-struck girl is someone I miss." Then comes lead single "Studying Stones," where she delves as deeply into her personal life, outside of her divorce, as she ever has on record. The song is, simply put, amazing.

"'Course numb is an old hat/Old as my oldest memories/See that one's my mother/And that one's my father/And that one in the hat, that's me/It's a skill I'd hoped to abandon/When I got out on the open road/But any more pent up emotion/And I think I'm gonna explode."

To be sure, she has not finished immersing the subject of her divorce in her music, as the likes of "Seeing Eye Dog," Modulation" and "Manhole" are the furthest thing from subtle, revealing Difranco as the epitome of bitter. All are on the sarcastic side, clearly evident of her newfound sense of freedom and sensible approach to remedying her life's tribulations, while the former tells a story all too accessible to many who have been through similar circumstances.

"I threw myself a little role reversal and followed you home/Just dying to be chewed/The dog was chosen by the bone/Be my seeing eye dog/'Cause I am blind."

She is rather hard on herself in the anthemic "Lag Time," proclaiming with her confidant delivery above hooky guitar chords that she wishes to become far more capable of making sound judgments concerning her relationships with others in her life, and thus "tighten down on the lag time." Further on, in "Parameters" she narrowly talks her way out of getting raped by coaxing an intruder and would-be rapist "off the ledge of a very bad idea."

"New as you are, really, to the idea that/Even after you've long since gotten used to the parameters/They can all change/While you're out one night having a drink with a friend/Some big hand may be turning a big dial/Switching channels on your dreams/Until you find yourself lost in them/And watching your daily life with the sound off."

She also reminisces specifically of the high-maintenance side of her ex-husband in "Callous" and "Minerva," the latter in which she likens herself to the wise, stalwart Roman goddess. The ultimate highlight of the album, however, is "Paradigm," the only track on the disc which finds Difranco dishing up more of her political psyche.

"(I had to) teach myself to see each of us/Through the lens of forgiveness/Like we're stuck with each other (God forbid!)/Teach myself to smile and stop and talk/To a whole other color kid/Teach myself to be new in an instant/Like the truth is accessible at any time/Teach myself it's never really one or the other/There's a paradox in every paradigm."

The album concludes on a high note with "Recoil," where she realizes she has not been held "since I've been his" and that that's "probably all it is" that's made her recoil from her friends in her solitude. She also fondly recalls her father "who time travels mostly now," and ends the song with an invitation.

"To all the people out there tonight/Who are comforting themselves/If you should happen to see my light/You can stop and ring my bell/I'm just sittin' here in this sty/Strewn with half written songs/Taking one breath at a time/Nothin' much going on/Nothin' much going on."

Overall, "Knuckle Down" is a transitional record for Difranco, finding her surfacing between two different phases of her life. Listening to her contemplate her situation and those that surround her is thus all the more absorbing.

I'm sure plenty of Ani fans will disagree, but I, for one, absolutely hated Educated Guess. I was almost disgusted with how she destroyed the song "Educated Guess" with those horiffic background vocals (not to mention every other song as well!) I was definitely unsure if I would buy another of her albums.

I took a chance, put my faith in her abilities, and pre-ordered Knuckle Down. The streams in my digital library seemed good enough that I would end up liking this album more than EG, at least.

After listening to this album for the past few days, I can definitely conclude that it is one of her best. The first five tracks are flawless (from there its a little hit or miss) and about half of the remaining eight are excellent. There are only a couple of songs that I'm "not feeling" yet.

At any rate, if you had lost faith in Ani after Educated Guess, definitely give her a second chance w/ this album - you won't regret it! :)

If you're new to Ani, I'd suggest a handful of other albums before this one, but definitely make sure to purchase this one at some point!

I've read several of the reviews below, and some are very good. My review of this album won't be quite as technical and thorough as those I've read, but I'll give you my honest opinion. This is a great cd. I've been listening to Ani for about 11 years now....I came in around the "Out of Range" and "Not a Pretty Girl" days. I was a very "devoted" fan (read crazed) for much of my late teens and into my early twenties...sometimes driving as long as 10 hours for a concert. I've loved several of her cd's along the way....Dilate, Little Plastic Castle, To the Teeth, Revelling/Reckoning, Evolve. But as life kept on going, and I got older, I became less and less crazed. Not because of her music, but because I had more going on.....more important things to worry about. I didn't even buy Educated Guess (I didn't even *gasp* realize that she had released it!) But after seeing her perform "Studying Stones" on, of all places, the CBS Saturday Early Show, I was intrigued about "Knuckle Down." So I got the cd, and expected to go through my usual Ani routine. Listen to it, think "hmmmm this isn't anything like Little Plastic Castle or To the Teeth or Evolve....I'm not sure I like it," and then a few weeks or months later listen to it and think "OH! I get it, this is awesome!" But I haven't been able to stop listening to it since it arrived in the mail. This cd has snapped me back to that old place. I'm not sure how, and I'm not sure why....but that's what's happened. I absolutely love this disc. It's really hard pick a favorite song (okay, maybe I like "Studying Stones", "Paradigm", and "Sunday Morning" a little more than the rest.) I'm not saying everyone will love this as much as I do. But if you've kept listening to Ani through the years, through all the different bands and styles and personal experiences, I think you'll dig this cd.

I was unimpressed with Educated Guess and Evolve. I'm happy to say Ani has returned full throttle with an album worthy of her Dilate/Revelling/Reckoning days. For the first time since R/R, I *feel* Ani again. Sumptous instruments frame typically gorgeous lyrics, and her singing is amazing, clear and without the annoying extra background vocals that plagued *Educated Guess*. Stand-out track is probably Parameters, because of its eerie instrumentation.

This cd is perfect. I own all of Ani cd but this one is by far my favorite. It is just simply put beautiful and the songs are sonic and lush. The strings add an element that is surreal and incredible, plus the song are just like little stories. Most of her cd take a little getting use to but with this one just let it play and you will be hypnotized! Studying Stones, Sunday Morning, Manhole and Callous are little master pieces and they alone will take your breath away.

The last time we saw Ani DiFranco was in the indulgent, scattered "Educated Guess," which sounded like the aftermath of her divorce and the loss of her dad. But she's tightened things up with "Knuckle Down," adding some guest musicians and smoothing out the discordant kinks in her music.

There's a bluesy note to her folky-punky-poppy music this time around, as if she's almost recovered from her emotional woes, but not quite there yet. The title track is an example of this, with a "cowgirl alter-ego" who laments that, "I think I'm done gunnin' to get closer/To some imagined bliss/I gotta knuckle down/And just be ok with this..." She finishes up wistfully with the self-examinating, "'Course that star struck girl/Is already someone I miss."

For the rest of the album, DiFranco runs the gamut from scathing observations about men in "Manhole" to the aftermath of rape in "Parameters." Most of the songs seem to reflect the stages of recovery, from looking back on her life to trying to move forward, older and wiser.

Expect a fairly mellow sound here. Even in the twangy or strummy songs, there's a newly laid-back feel to her voice and instrumentation, as if reflecting the resignation in the first song. While DiFranco has been criticized for a lack of political songs on "Knuckle Down," it doesn't weaken the album. She's just as good when she's reflecting on relationships, or even just taking a hard look at herself. The odd duck is "Seeing Eye Dog," which is a nice love song, but it frankly doesn't fit in with the others.

DiFranco sticks to what works musically -- she finger-picks acoustic guitar in the middle of each song, whether playing fast poppy melodies or eerie slow strums. The creepy "Minerva" is enough to give you goosebumps. And the songs are blanketed in strings, piano and bass, adding a melodic quality to the softly flowing "Studying Stones."

Without being whiny, these songs give you a look into folk-punk icon Ani DiFranco's mind. Her last album was the pain itself, but "Knuckle Down" is the road to recovery.

I was highly anticipating this release from Ani, because it's just been within this last year that I've become a fan, and I have all of her albums and the EP's too...so I was ready to see where she was headed next.

I am just so blown away by this CD! The fact that she invited other artists to co-produce & play is NOT one you should fear, she (of course) managed to maintain the qualities we all know and love that make her Ani.

The strings and the stand up bass are just gorgeous. The only way I can describe it is like a delicious wine! It's so smooth and sensual, so rich & so relaxing! I know it was dumb to compare it to a beverage...lol, but I couldn't think of another way to say it. The strings and bass are especially beautiful on "Studying Stones," "Sunday Morning," and "Recoil."

The poem "Parameters" is so chilling! I read the lyrics on her site before it was released, and I thought it would prepare me for it. Nope! When I listened to it the first time at home, it was just fine. But then I was listening in my car at night on the back way home and it was just CREEPY! She is such a wonderful story teller, such an effective poet.

As far as the content goes...I know there's gonna be some people who are angry that this isn't an overtly political project. Well, I absolutely love it despite whatever messages it has in it! Besides, Ani says she's writing political songs for her upcoming tours. But personally, I think that some of Ani's best stuff is when she's dealing with relationships; she knows how to say it like it is, without any qualms whatsoever, in a way that, while sometimes shocking, is never arrogant or rude. She just lays it out like she sees it, honestly. But if you think about it, such a big part of who Ani is is politics, that there will never be an absence of those type of subjects in her songs. Some you just have to look harder to find.

I would without a doubt say that this album is one of her best (although EVERY CD is awesome). This one stands out to me as one that I'd use to get my friends into Ani.

If you're hesitating to buy this because you weren't into Evolve or Educated Guess, DON'T HESITATE! It's nothing like them (well, the first song kind of picks up where Educated Guess left off if you ask me). It is a whole new sound for Ani, one that suits her very well. The added instrumentation only complements her already stunning style and sound! BUY IT!

With Knuckle Down, Ani has completely won me back. As for the songs themselves... wow. For me, this is her single best collection of new songs on one disc since before the turn of the century... by far. It's one of her best albums, period. Also, along with maybe the first couple albums, this is the best sounding album Ani has ever made. I couldn't figure out how she managed to make some of the recent albums so dry and lifeless. Knuckle Down is the exact opposite. Warm, rich, natural and full sounding.

Where some of her other recent stuff seemed to be looking outward, and bordering on preachy at times, Knuckle Down is sometimes stark and introspective though each song is its own galaxy. This isn't an album where all the songs sound rather alike. At times it makes me nervous for her, though. This album largely paints a picture of a person who is very much alone right now. There are a few lines throughout this album that truly make me hope she is okay. "But there's no me left for me, no incidental time of day. No wild adventures except in darkness, so dark I'd rather not say." Maybe it's just me, but that line and the mood of the song to which it belongs (Minerva) always makes me think of the personal life of Jerry Garcia in the darkest years of his life. I hope Ani isn't going down that road.

Knuckle Down has everything I could want from one of her albums. Lyrics that will tear your heart out and lyrics that will leave you sitting there in the darkness of your own stunned silence. Parameters for instance is her most haunting spoken-word piece thus far. This disc also has quite a few instances of Ani's best, most emotional singing on record, in my opinion. Puddle Dive is one of my favorite Ani albums but if you don't like her vocal style of that era, this is an album for you.

I've listened to this album more than any other Ani album of the past decade because I can't stop. Studying Stones, Sunday Morning and Recoil are 3 of her best songs of all time. There are great things throughout her albums. Even great songs on some of her worst albums. Knuckle Down though... something special happened here. It all came together. There are no "Oh this one has some great one-liners but the overall song is unengaging". Or "This one has potential in concert, at least". No, it all came together here. Not only are the songs and sound excellent but this band (quartet or larger, for my purposes here) is her finest ever. For as much as I disliked the ever-growing, trite funk-lite band of recent years, Ani put together her perfect band for this album. Secondary to Ani herself, Todd Sickafoose (bass) is the emotional star of this album. How great it must be to spend part of your time creating and playing perfect basslines on songs as fantastic as these, and a chunk of the rest of your time playing with Nels Cline.

It's hard to think that Ani would seem to be in a tough (or at least very lonely) spot in terms of her personal life but if that's the case she certainly morphed her internal struggles into one of her best albums. She even has a lyric contained herein that would seem to illustrate that she's conscious of the fact that maybe emotional pain is her greatest catalyst.

I saw Ani two nights in a row in SF and both sets were pretty mellow. I've since had "Knuckle Down" in a constant loop in the home and in our car. (i have a very tolerant husband and a 3 year old who adores ani's music) A huge difference for me with this record is that it was instantly palatable. I have nearly all of her records and when a new one is released I spend much time hating it since one is always so different from the last, with which, I am usually having an intense love affair. Andrew Bird and Noe Venable lend and ethereal, dreamy sound to her songs and I tend to be somewhat transported yon when listen to "Studying Stones," "Sunday Morning," and "Lag Time." Paradigm is a wonderful song that resonates deeply with me in the first few lines being that I drag my daughter to letter writing campaigns, me writing letters while she vacuums up all the brownies (good mind-altering substance for a 3 year old), and peace rallies.

Todd Sickafoose, while really annoying with that giant bass at Luther Burbank in Santa Rosa was incredible at The Warfield, And, on the album, the upright base is just right. Julie Wolf makes a guest appearance as melodica which I always find refreshing - the two of them have some incredible chemistry and it's always a joy to see/hear them making noise together.

The biggest sign of success for Ani, in my mind, became clear upon seeing the *very* VERY eclectic group of folk who had gathered to see her those two nights. it's clear she has reached far into the corners of musicfanworld and has drawn out some folks who one wouldn't necessarily expect to see at her shows. There was a guy in a 3 piece suit dancing, rather stiffly to her tunes, to the right of me in the pit and to the left a pot smoking 20 something cowgirl-ish punk who jabbed me in the ribs more than I would have liked. Get the album, you'll enjoy it and so will about everyone around you. My husband, while he respects her as an artist, a political voice etc etc is really annoyed by her sound. Funny thing is that he's been walking around the house whistling her tunes...really, get it, you'll not regret it.

I've been an Ani DiFranco fan for sometime now and appreciate all of her music/spoken word. I've never been one to write reviews and/or rant about one particular album by an artist, but Knuckle Down is a different story. I truly think this album is what the culmination of genuine quality and talent sounds like. Knuckle Down has slow lingering tunes like callous, minerva, studying stones, sunday morning, parameters, that resonant through the walls of your soul. While on the other hand it also has slightly more upbeat and sincere tracks like the title track, manhole, modulation, paradigm, and lag time. Ani has grown immensely through the 15+ years she's been making music and in shows in all of her work. Knuckle Down is Ani doing what she does best: telling stories, expressing life as she experiences it, and making beautiful meaningful quality music. This is an album anyone would be proud to own-ani fan or not!