Ani DiFranco almost defies classification. Her music gains inspiration from folk, jazz and the blues, but her music feels more organic, grown from an emotion or particular moment instead of a genre.
From the first track of her latest album "Reprieve," it's clear that she still won't be pigeonholed. "Hypnotize" is a thoughtful opener, the music itself merging seamlessly with DiFranco's clear voice. It's a peaceful track, oozing tranquility even as a line talks about "traffic hissing by."
The rest of the album is challenging at times, especially with the occasional moment of dissonance and the sporadic sound effects that seem more appropriate for a science fiction film. They're slightly abrasive, but never fail to be interesting.
The lyrics clearly come from DiFranco's personal experiences and are often politically driven. In "Millennium Theater" she draws on particularly harrowing tragedies like Hurricane Katrina.
"While the ice caps melt...New Orleans bides her time," she sings.
DiFranco's voice is not quite as impressive as some of the artists she is frequently compared to, but her tough passionate vocals create a sense of drama that rears its head on tracks like "Decree" and "Half-Assed."
DiFranco talks about subjects that won't appeal to everyone, and some of the tracks are a little too leftist for everyone to enjoy. The album pales in comparison to recent releases by artists like Regina Spektor and Fiona Apple, who are both equally engaged with the world around them, but sing about it with more charm.
Still, DiFranco's feisty demeanor delineates her music from the softness that clutters the mainstream.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
