I've been listening to Ani for about a week straight now. I really can't get enough of her.

I typically don't listen to women singers very often - its not a prejudice, its just a trend, but I really love ani.

Anyone else have any feelings one way or another?

I've been a fan for... oh seven or eight years now.

I know it's really cliche, but I think her old stuff is better than her new stuff.

Everything from her self-titled first album up through "Dilate" is just brilliant. Amazing stuff -- angry young woman folk music shot through with punk sensibilities.

"Living In Clip" is one of my all-time favorite live albums.

"Little Plastic Castle" had it's moments, lots of good songs, but the combat fatigue was starting to show. Some of the lyrics were a little on the bad/awkward side.

"Up Up Up Up Up Up" is probably her worst album. I don't think there's a single descent song on the whole thing. I don't know what the hell happened, but there's a huge nose-dive in the quality of the music between this and LPC.

"To the Teeth" was bit better... I mean, at least had a couple of good songs on it. "Swing" is a great song marred by a ****ing annoying and out of place rap.

Never bothered picking up "Reveling/Reckoning." Twenty five bucks for a two CD set, when I was disappointed with her last two offerings just didn't appeal to me.

I've been a fan of her's for about 4 years. Love almost everything she has done. I think that her newer cds are actually better than her old. Of course, I guess I'm going against the cliche. I think she's more inventive with her song writing than she has ever been before.

She's just awesome in general.

Others that are great:
Edie Carrie, Rosie Thomas, Lori McKenna, Jess Klein, Tegan and Sara...

I'm typically into that kind of music but I don't care for her too much. But I agree with the previous poster, Jess Klein is awesome.

I love Ani, been a fan for 6 or 7 years. I think her songwriting is awesome. I agree that Living in Clip is one of the greatest live albums; Untouchable Face and I'm No Heroine are just stunning songs with a great performance. I do tend to like her older stuff more, but I think her "middle" stuff is probably her best, when she had some money for production. Say, Out of Range and Dilate. Haven't heard her new ones yet, however.

I know so many women who have told me that her music helped them through rough times; she doesn't pull any punches (although she did piss of a bunch of lesbians by marrying a guy!).

Amazing guitarist, but I despise her voice.

She has a great feel for the guitar, most wouldn't even consider it. But she really is amazing with the axe.

Hey, I want to try out some of Ani's music and I was wondering if someone could share their top 5 Ani Difranco song list so I can get an idea of what to try. Thanks!

Living In Clip is a great double live CD with lots of hits. That might be the best place to start if you're looking for a CD.

Dilate is my personal favorite album of hers, and the first song on it, Untouchable Face, is one of my favorite songs ever by any artist (and certainly the best song ever that's ever gratutiously used the F word).

Buildings & Bridges, Out of Range, Fuel, Shameless and Joyful Girl are some other great songs that stand out in her collection, IMO.

Dilate and Living in Clip are my favs.

Check out:

Napoleon
Fire Door
Shameless
Superhero
Gravel (on LIC)
Out of Range

Agreed that "Untouchable Face" is one of the best songs ever. We've all been there.

I'm also a big fan of "I'm No Heroine", "Superhero", and "Out of Range"...

Untouchable Face (agreed, one of the best songs ever written...after you've heard it, and then been there...wow)
Both Hands (LIC version)
Overlap (LIC version)
Hello Birmingham
Joyful Girl (Dilate version)
Napoleon
Not A Pretty Girl

That should get you started. Get LIC or Dilate first. LPC is very very good in spots as well.

Hey guys, sorry to bump after such a long time, but Ani has another album due up January 20th, 2004, called Educated Guess. Sounds cool, her site has several full tracks for listen.
http://www.righteousbabe.com/ani/edu...uess/index.asp

Terrific guitar playing. Good songwriting. Okay singing. Hairy armpits. 'Nuff said.

I could have written every word you said in this post.

If anyone is still interested definately get Living In Clip if you get nothing else by her. Although to be honest i liked her earlier more acoustic folky stuff like Not So Soft.