Ani DiFranco - Not a Pretty Girl - 1995 (Amazon)
Embracing a strong production hand and even smirking through some of her offerings, Ani's Not A Pretty Girl is considered by many to be her zenith, a watershed for her. In many ways it is. It certainly builds on the groundwork Out of Range provided. It's stronger as well, with less to prove. Instead of surprising us (and maybe herself) she's found comfort in her role as voice of Indie Folk/punk grrl. The songs groove, not in small part thanks to Andy Stochansky's skittish percussion.
There's something for everyone here. Well, by anyone I mean anyone who has listened to any of Ani's previous 5 records. It's a little folk, a little jazz, some spoken word (Tiptoe, one of my faves and the focus of some great bloopers at the end of the record). There's heart-wrenching singer-songwriting (Sorry I Am) and fast as lightning finger-plucking (Light of Some Kind).
For my money the heart of this record are the title track and "The Million You Never Made".
"Not a Pretty Girl" is perhaps Ani's most self-conscious, self-actualized recognition of just who and what she represents with her music, her personae, her sexuality. It's a responsible song but not one that lets anyone off the hook. "What if there are no damsels in distress? What if I knew that and I called your bluff?" It's a gloriously epic song, at once hard to listen to for Ani's snide sneering and lush thanks to the lovely harmonies she provides and the musicianship and musicality.
The other centerpiece is "Million....". Obviously, after selling tons of cassettes at concerts and the notoriety from local and antional press after Out of Range, it was natural that the big labels would come calling. But, Ani "aint gonna reach for [that dangling carrot]" because she "needs both hands to play my guitar". She doesn't buy the sales pitch. She doesn't need anyone, thanks, she's doing fine. In fact, selling out dilutes integrity, doesn't it? Take this passage:
you can blame it on the devil
(the one who's bed you sleep in)
don't tell me what they did to you
as though you had no choice
isn't that your picture?
isn't that your voice?
if you don't live what you sing about
your mirror is going to find out
Perhaps some of today's younger artists could read that and make a smarter choice. And by "some" I mean, all.
Not a Pretty Girl is a phenomenal follow up to Out of Range. It's mature, smart, funny, sexy, lush at times brilliant, always uncompromising.
It's great.
Grade A+
A Side: Cradle and All, Not a Pretty Girl, The Million You Never Made
BlindSide: Shy, TipToe, 32 Flavors, Coming Up (The same lyrics, same spoken word from "Imperfectly", but set to music and much much better.
DownSide: None. This is a splendid record.
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