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4 Stars
With the release of a new album every year since 1991, Ani DiFranco has managed to continuously please her fans. Each CD takes a new musical direction while somehow maintaining the folk-rocker's roots that have made her so popular. Sometimes these projects are hits for all tastes, but recently her albums have only been appreciated by those dedicated fans who've been with her for a while. Last year's Educated Guess was an extreme exploration of the DIY folkie, and it ended up being a miss with mainstream crowds. The songs were politically geared and poetically written, but lacked any sort of music that could actually be enjoyed. Dissonant acoustic sounds overshadowed DiFranco's voice, leaving many listeners wondering what direction she would take on her next project. Ani DiFranco's 15th studio album, Knuckle Down, takes another turn in her stylistic repertoire. For the first time in her career, she collaborates with another artist (Joe Henry) during the production process. DiFranco also invites many artists from her record label to add their own spice to the mix. The result is quite a relief. The album is easier to listen to than some of her previous efforts - some of the songs are almost radio-friendly. But this is not a case of the Liz Phair sell-out syndrome. DiFranco's presence can still be heard throughout the album. Some fans may be displeased about DiFranco's apparent step away from the political scene. On the other hand, the lyrics bring out a side we haven't seen before. The album opens with "Knuckle Down," a fierce, acoustic-guitar driven song reminiscent of the "old" Ani DiFranco. But the lyrics reveal a fearful, vulnerable singer-songwriter. The next track, "Studying Stones," introduces a melancholy arrangement of strings - something rarely heard on previous CDs. With such a haunting melody, the music shows signs of maturity in the folk-rocker. Knuckle Down unfolds in the same manner as the first two songs. It has the mechanical guitar-picking classics and the contrasting, contemplative bits. DiFranco also explores some new styles, layering songs with electric guitars and the upright bass (played by Todd Sickafoose). Some tracks, like "Recoil," even sound like folkie pop-songs crossing into the alternative country genre. The fan response will be a toss-up, with many wanting the next album to be an angrier, "stick it in your face" style. Knuckle Down is a good album and has some great tunes. There's nothing off-the-wall to make DiFranco stand out as the rebellious DIY folkie, but enjoy listerners enjoy the album for what it is. The melodies are well-written, the collaborations are solid, and the lyrics are beautifully sincere.
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