Ani Difranco - Not So Soft - 1991 (iTunes - Amazon)
The playing is more confident. More aggressive. The singer more assured. Older, but by just a year. The road has given DiFranco a sense of self assuredness. She knows who her audience is. And she doesn't want to fade into the background.
Not So Soft is Part 2 of the DiFranco DIY onslaught. It isn't as surprising a discovery as the first. It's not terrible, by any stretch, though. The thing about Ani is that she requires you pay attention to her. She's a poet who isn't wasting her words on having you do something else while you listen. She wants you to LISTEN. She has things to say. She may not be of age to drink yet but she's got one hell of a road hewn slew of experiences to draw from.
The highlight of the record is, as has been stated by other reviewers, "Gratitude". A screed wherein she frustratingly can't understand or is unwilling to bend to the concept that her sexuality is of value to men that would have her for some sort of barter. Be it just a place to sleep. This was definitely the mood of the 90s. This is Womyn before Sex and the City. The Murmurs, Ani, Sarah, jeez, every Lilith Fair attendee and performer. They had something to say. They were pissed and they were giving a voice to their socio-political beliefs.
Sometimes it works. Other times it's just boring.
This album's spoken word entry, "Not So Soft" isn't bad, but I got it the first time. She's a poet. She hasn't quite found her voice. In fact, I think she's just egged herself on by her coffee shop acceptance.
And the lesbian flirtation on songs like "The Whole Night" seem like she's courting a short haired, tattooed niche audience who will buy t-shirts, drinks and maybe even empower her a little.
I do appreciate "The Next Big Thing", however. Where she takes on the callous and small minded music industry and flays it while displaying it for what it is. Most 20 year old (!!!) artists would be begging for a record contract in 1991. Not Ani. She's gonna do it her way.
Grade C
A Side: Gratitude, The Next Big Thing
BlindSide: No surprises here.
DownSide: She Stays
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