To the Teeth

Ani DiFranco

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 16, 1999)
• Original Release Date: November 16, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Righteous Babe
• ASIN: B00002DDNE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (143 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #50,045 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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

  #31 in	Music > Indie Music > Folk > Contemporary Folk
  #34 in	Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Singer Songwriters
  #41 in	Music > Alternative Rock > New Wave & Post-Punk > Urban Folk

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The follow-up to the ambitious Up Up Up Up Up Up finds the prolific Ani DiFranco striving to expand the range of her brand of do-it-yourself folk. Here she incorporates organ, clarinet, megaphone, and even an ill-advised rap courtesy of Corey Parker, whose father, former James Brown sideman Maceo, contributes saxophone to a few tracks. DiFranco, meanwhile, handles her usual array of instruments, taking on bass, drums, guitar, and, of course, vocals. That voice has changed since her 1990 debut. A smoky quality adds a layer of expression and maturity to still-angry protestations such as the title track and its whispery counterpoint, "Back Back Back." There's even an appearance here from the Unpronounceable One, a.k.a. the Artist, who lends his distinctive voice to the alternately dense and quiet "Providence." Regardless of guest appearances and new vocal and instrumental colors, however, DiFranco's ace remains the quiet, confessional tone she brings to introspective songs such as "I Know This Bar." The sound of her fingers sliding from one warm chord to the next is DiFranco at her strongest. Matthew Cooke

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ani rocks on, November 28, 1999

By	Abbigail Frelich "snowangel" (Newark, DE USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

i've been a fan of ani's for a few years now, and i, like many "old school" fans, love her early work. it was gritty, controversial, and intimate. what i don't understand is the amount of flack she has been receiving for allowing herself to mature and grow... her voice, her lyrics, her music as a whole have long been a reflection of herself and the world as seen through ani's eyes. to the teeth is quite possibly my favorite ani production to date. from the scolding, honest tone of the title track to the funky sounds of maceo parker to the influence of "the artist" on providence, i was captivated by the album. i hate to point out the obvious, but times change, the world still turns, and life goes on. i'm honored to have the pleasure of hearing ani's music grow with it.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She never fails, December 1, 1999

By	"sarafina_j" (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

Ani D. never ceases to amaze with her talent. "to the teeth", the second album ani has released in 1999, once again demonstrates ani's ability to grow as an artist. This album is on the same track as "up up up up up up"; full of new style and amazing sounds. She does include some of her trademark styles: her political lyrics, percussionistic guitar, and her wide range of vocals, but "to the teeth" also introduces multiple instruments into the songs and a very special guest appearance by the artist formerly known as prince. This album is joy to listen to and definitely worth investing in. Ani has a unique and characteristic style that continues to get better and better as she explores new genres of her talent.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Products of Evolution, February 6, 2002

By	William Krischke (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A lot of people complained when Ani Difranco released Little Plastic Castles. What is this? Where's teh fiery fast finger-picking and passionate political lyrics that we know and love? Admittedly, I was one of the ones complaining. Happily, I was not one of the ones who stopped listening. To The Teeth is the payoff for that perseverance.

This is the album that Up and Castles wanted to be, tried to be. Or maybe that I wanted them to be. This is the album that has been coming ever since the evolution began, since the queen of folk/punk started playing with jazz/funk arrangements, since she toned down the lyrics (in volume and tone, not in content. I'm learning nowadays that when Ani's being quiet, that's when to watch for flying objects.) This is the culmination, or maturation, of the (r)evolution.

Simply put, this album is excellent. From track one to I Know This Bar, there's hardly a forgettable track on the whole piece of plastic. That's freaking amazing. Personal favorites -- ones I play over and over and over again -- are Wish I May (perhaps the most despairing song ever), Freak Show, and Swing.

All of Ani's albums are good -- meaning better than the average folk/rock album -- but this is one of her best. And that's saying plenty.

-wk...