Ani DiFranco

Ani DiFranco

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 26, 1994)
• Original Release Date: September 1990
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Righteous Babe
• ASIN: B0000058ME
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,733 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #11 in	Music > Indie Music > Folk > Contemporary Folk
  #16 in	Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Singer Songwriters
  #20 in	Music > Alternative Rock > New Wave & Post-Punk > Urban Folk

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Ani DiFranco was a star from the get-go. It just took the world a little while to catch on to that fact. In 1990, folksingers didn't shave their heads, wear nose rings, or sing about the feelings in their jeans, but DiFranco did. Her bracing, punky stance hit just as hard on her debut as it does now--perhaps even more so, due to its freshness and DiFranco's uncompromising solo acoustic attack. These songs, all delivered with an absorbing passion and a palpable conviction, are the bedrock of her soaring career. Some, like the fantastic and challenging "Both Hands," still pop up in concert. --Michael Ruby

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple and beautiful, May 26, 2000

By	Christine (NH) - See all my reviews

I was cautious about getting this album because I was pretty new to Ani's stuff, just having Dilate and Little Plastic Castle before it. I loved those two albums, but had heard that this one is very different, and since it was her first album, I wondered if it would be as polished as her later ones.

I had no reason to worry. This is an absolutely gorgeous album, worth it for anyone who likes Ani or anyone who is genuinely interested in the music of a young woman whose perfectly structured lyrics just about any female who is at least 16 can identify with. The entire album features only Ani and her guitar. The melodies are addictive and Ani's voice is pure and does not yet have the gruff and often sarcastic quality that it does now, and she sings very clearly, so the lyrics are easy to understand.

The lyrics.. Ani writes some of the best lyrics I have ever seen. This album is no exception, and has some of my very favorites. It has songs about love and its disappointments ("Both Hands", "Letting the Telephone Ring", "Fire Door", "Every Angle", "Work Your Way Out", "Rush Hour"), women in society ("The Story", "Dog Coffee", "Pale Purple", "Talk to Me Now"), abortion ("Lost Woman Song"), exhaustion ("Out of Habit"). Every song on the album is a gem, even though I don't identify with all of them.

So, now I have this along with Dilate, Little Plastic Castle, Puddle Dive, Living in Clip, Not a Pretty Girl, and To the Teeth. This album is my favorite of those.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Ani's very best, March 30, 2000

By	Nicole (Ashland, OR) - See all my reviews

'Not a pretty girl' was my first Ani album, and it took awhile to grow on me, but not I own 10 of Ani's albums and I love every one. This album (her first) is definitely one of my favorites (along with '...Pretty girl', 'Dilate', and 'Imperfectly'). If you're looking to buy your first Ani album, I highly reccommend either this one or 'not a pretty girl'. "Rush hour", "fire door", and "out of habit" are my favorite tracks. No other contemporary songwriter comes close to matching Ani's amazing lyrics and melodies. She sings everything that you've ever wanted to say, but couldn't find the right words. I love Ani, she's amazing, I don't know where I'd be if I'd never stumbled across her music. Essential listening for any feminist, beautiful music that anyone can appreciate. She's awesome! If you like Ani, make sure you check out Sleater-Kinney, The Smiths, Tori Amos, and Elliot Smith.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars i'm listening to this cd right now, July 31, 1999

By A Customer

i try to listen to it at least once a day, if not more... because each time i hear this cd, i hear something new. every one of her songs speaks to me- i bought this cd after being an ani fan for quite a while, and when i put this in my stereo, i nearly started to cry. this album is the reason why we ani fans are so loyal- because she is real. her reality isn't censored or compromised... it's straight up, and it speaks the truth. this album is personal... like your best friend came over with her guitar, sat down, and decided to tell you exactly who she is. an amazing beginning....