Reviews (25)

I Disagree
I like this album a lot. It opens with Polaroids, a song that I memorized within the first week of buying the CD, I'd listened to it that many times. Most of the other songs are great, but some struck me much harder than others. Tenderness On The Block is catchy with wonderful support from The Subdudes. Climb On is upbeat without falling into the category of kitch-pop thanks to some thoughful lyrics. Kill The Messenger is musically beautiful and lyrically intriguing (I'm still trying to figure out what it's about, and that's not a bad thing). Overall, this is a beautiful collection of songs wrapped with Shawns remarkable delivery.

The drawbacks: Sorry, I just can't get into Set The Prairie On Fire. The words are fine, but the tune just doesn't take me anywhere. I Don't Know Why is a good song, but it really is total schmaltz. Then there is the production. The collection was released in 1992, so I have the feeling that the thought was to hitch it on to the country bandwagon that was rolling along at the time. Though I wouldn't classify it as a country CD, there are definite elements. That's not all bad, but at times it doesn't quite work and it detracts from the mood set by the lyrics.

That said, I highly recommend this CD. It's a beautiful folk-pop collection, something to listen to again and again.

This is the most remarkable album in her catalog!
It took a three song sample taped on a Maxell cassette to get me hooked on Shawn Colvin's FAT CITY. STEADY ON is terrific. COVER GIRL has some pleasant moment. But it's FAT CITY that remains Colvin's best. These eleven songs are cutting, emotional, strong, and consistent. The production is inspired. Colvin's vocals are majestic. The melody on the opening track is perfect; "Polaroids" is a collection of images and stories about life, matched with a flowing melody. "Tennessee" has a rocking melody and strong rock lyrics. Colvin covers Warren Zevon & Jackson Browne on "Tenderness On The Block", just as good as Linda Ronstadt did on some of their other songs in the 1970s. With a colorful, positive, spirited melody "Round Of Blues" has a folk feel in rock setting. It's pulled off flawlessly. The cutting,emotional lyrics of "Monopoly", reflect what an awesome songwriter Shawn Colvin is. "Orion In The Sky" is passionate, equally intriging to "Round Of Blues". I'd have to say that "Climb On" is the best song on the album, if I'm wrong, it's my favorite. She has perfectly fitting lyrics that compose a complete story within about four minutes. This is present on all the tracks. "Climb On" matches melody and lyrics flawlessly. "Set The Prarie On Fire" is the longest song on the album, there's a completely different atmosphere established on the song. Colvin's delivery is stunning. "Object Of My Affection" blends magnifiscent lyrics to a dazzling melody. One of the most addictive stories on FAT CITY is "Kill The Messenger", poetic and passionate, it's four minutes of magic. The closing song is remarkable. "I Don't Know Why" was one of the most beautiful songs of 1992, and is one of Colvin's best. It's also the first song she composed. FAT CITY is a listening that will take you through joy, pain, and wonder; and will provide one of the most satisfying listens I've heard in a while. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Under rated & Over looked
I first heard "Round of Blues" on modern rock radio (Philadelphia's now defunct WDRE 103.9)soon after the album's release date (late 1992/early 1993.)I only heard it a few times before it was dropped from the station's playlist.

Right around this time I began my career as a DJ at clubs & weddings. I had added the songs to my list of most wanted songs to purchase.

None of the big retail chains carried this CD initially. A year or so later, the song received more airplay.

"Round of Blues" was included on the Nicolas Cage/Bridget Fonda movie soundtrack for "It Can Happen To You".

Eventually the "Fat City" CD began to appear at retail some two years after it's release.

From the first time I heard the entire CD it instantly became one of my favorites.

You'll be on an emotional rollercoaster with your journey through the tracks on this hidden gem.

On your first listen you too will be ready for a second ride as you feel Colvin's voice break on the final track "I Don't Know Why" Prepare for that second ride well in advance. Hit the repeat button right away!

"Fat City" is exquisite
... This is a wonderful album that strikes many emotional chords. "Monopoly" is a simple, heart-rending tale of lost love; "Set the Prairie on Fire" is one of the sexiest songs I've ever heard. I also love the complexity and mystery of "Kill the Messenger". Colvin's lyrics are so crisp: "Sometimes the beuaty of life Hits like lightning wahsing everything clear/And gthe dimmers of doubt flicker/Fade out and disappear." Hasn't everyone experienced those moments of clarity expressed so beautifully in Colvin's song? She articulates feelings the rest of us could never say so eloquently.

A highly overlooked album
For a lot of people, Shawn Colvin is famous because of "Sunny Comes Home" from her "A Few Small Repairs" album. They probably don't realize that Shawn has a couple of albums prior to her break out album. I'm not exactly a big fan of Shawn Colvin, especially after hearing "Sunny Comes Home" a few million times on the radio. I find her music a bit too mellow and polished for my tastes. Still I do like some of her music and most of it comes from her second album "Fat City". I bought the cassette version of "Fat City" back in high school (or I think I was a freshman in college) because a local radio station played a few cuts off the cd and I liked what I heard. I particularly enjoyed the opening song "Polaroids", a poignant song about reminiscing about the good ol' days. The next two tracks I am not too wild about. I just didn't care for the melodies on those two songs. "Round of Blues" as is "Climb On (Back That's Strong)" is another great song off "Fat Song" but I think I have to say that "Orion in the Sky" is by far my favorite Shawn Colvin song. While there are a few hits and misses on "Fat City", it is still a solid album. Too bad that it was overlooked by the critics and music listeners. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The title track on Shawn Colvin's Steady On fits well as the folk singer's theme song. "I'm Gonna Keep My Head on Straight," she sings, "I Just Hope It's Not Too Late." That Colvin has been one of contemporary folk's most endearing performers not only underscores the subject of her songs but suggests her true appeal--heartfelt, often confessional lyrics and well-crafted melodies that evoke a broad palette of emotions. While she is strong on delicate balladry like "Shotgun Down the Alley," Colvin's forte is turning up the tempo and giving us folk songs with rock & roll gusto. --Nick Heil ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Great songs that are overproduced
Shawn Colvin is an excellent songwriter with a great voice, and this major label debut of hers makes that case well.

Unfortunately she seems to have gotten a little carried away in the studio as these songs, excellent thought they are, are a tad on the overproduced side.

Fortunately, however, most of these songs are available in the form they were meant to be heard on the "Live '88" CD. Get that one first and then move on to this which does have a few tracks not available on the live one.

Overall 3.5 stars

Her very best
Shawn Colvin has to be one of the best singer/songwriters working right now, but her first album is still her best, in my opinion. I've played this CD so much that it's almost become like a soundtrack to my life. The songs are filled with affirming insights into life experience. While I can't say I love every track ("Another Long One" is probably my least favorite), the overwhelming majority of songs that have resonance and beauty is amazing. Look for "Cry Like an Angel," "Something to Believe in," and especially "Ricochet in Time." This CD only gets better the more you listen!

I was born to be hearing this CD
OK, that's a bit of an exageration, but I love it! This CD is a gem. It's the one that I come back to over and over. And then I listen to it over and over. Not a bad one in the batch. Every time I hear the lines like to The Story I'm amazed. I don't know why, but this verse just amazes me:

Well our father married our mother too young
And he took on a world like a fortunate son
But in the cellar downstairs waiting for the bomb scare
He would hide from us under the kitchen
Where she simmered so soft with her weapons of tin
And like so many suppers she just gave us to him
And he never did guess in her cast iron dress
She was burning beyond recognition

PERFECTION! The title song is strong and determined. The lines: Cause he seemed like a miracle, I ate it up like cereal, but it was something like shrapnel" rank up there with the absolute best descriptions of relationships gone wrong. Shotgun is a marvel of emotional expression. Something To Believe In is tender and touching but not in the least saccharine sweet. Shawn Colvin's delivery is always 100% on the money. The production is great. The instrumentation never outweighs the songs.

On this album Shawn Colvin shows that she is not just another girl with a guitar but an incredible talent. There isn't a bad number on this CD. Highly recommended!

The Best There Is...
What can I say? This is the CD/Album of the Decade! Colvin has shot across our musical sky like a multi-colored comet! Her command of her instruments (singing/playing/writing,) is breathtaking! This CD (along with Bonnie Raitt's 'Nick of Time') became my own personal anthems for the 90's! Man, can this woman write?! There are a few lady singer/songwriters out there, who are going to have to go back to school to catch up with Shawn! She's come a long way from Carbondale, and I'd say her success is way overdue!

Steady on Shawn!
The second Colvin's works is wonderful. The reason I give it five stars is because of the title track. It is a wonderful song with lively instruments. Shawn keeps on going strong, let's hope, in the future and the future is now from then and she is! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Whereas on Little Plastic Castle Ani DiFranco questioned her public image in song, here the fiercely independent singer/songwriter turns away from stardom's beckoning questions to further explore her emotional balance. "Angry Anymore" is a back-porch country song (with banjo and accordion) about coming to terms with a turbulent adolescence. "Everest" floats by as a reverie of spiritual rejuvenation. Most effective is "'Tis of Thee," which deals with racial injustice. The politics are oversimplified, but the melody is one of DiFranco's strongest. She even funks it up on the extended drum-machine-driven jam "Hat Shaped Hat." But while DiFranco enjoys playing around ("Know Now Then" features a "space phone" vocal), she's strongest when most contemplative, as the title track bears out. Backed by organ, piano, and guitar, she espouses this grand truth: "Half of learning how to play / Is learning what not to play." In her quietest moments DiFranco is living proof of simplicity's great power. --Rob O'Connor ... Read more

Reviews (118)

moving away from her "folk"
In recent years Ani has moved in a different direction from her earlier "folkish" tunes. Her lyrics are still blunt and awe inspiring... I miss the acoustics; her recent album is very "electronic". It is still hard hitting and exploritive- just a different style than most Ani listeners are used to. Her double cd Living in Clip is the best mix of soundboard and guitar. Every album is an experience... they are all different. I like some better than others- it depends on what type of mood your in or what kind of music you like. Try it-- It's stimulating to expiereince the emotion and feeling that she puts into her songs.

UP6 is worth your time
While I can agree with some that this is not Ani's best or even most accessible album, I must add that this is a beautiful album. As a huge Ani fan, I rushed out to buy this one and was stragenly disappointed...it sat on my bookshelf for months until I revisited it. I found some wonderful songs, beautiful language, and above all, the trademark earnestness that Ani Difranco is so famous for. While I can't say this is my favorite Ani album, I really respect the chances she takes and the trust she puts in her audience to come along for the ride. Not necessarily a must-have, but a must-listen. If you're looking for the angriness you find on other albums, it's not present here as it is on NAPG. If you're looking for a bouncy, catchy CD like Little Plastic Castle, it's not here. But if you want to listen to Ani's ever-maturing sound, this is a great album to start with ...most longtime Ani fans would agree. Her newer stuff is such a departure from her early work, it's finally refreshing to see an artist take strides to refine and experiment with her own sound, rather than rely on what she already knows works so well. That is truly what makes Ms D stand out: her willingness to forget the format and just play, for her own enjoyment as well as her audience's.

Another favorite Ani Difranco album
It has been awhile since I popped in "Up Up Up Up Up Up". My taste in music has changed drastically over the years. I am not the big Ani Difranco fan that I used to be. Eight years ago, I used to buy her cds on the day that they were released. My how times have changed. Still I respect Ani immensely for her DIY ethics and eschewing corporate America when it comes to her music. Next to "Little Plastic Castles" and "Dilate", "Up Up Up Up Up Up" is one of my favorite Ani Difranco cds. Songs like "Angry Any More" and "'Tis of Thee" really speaks to me lyrically. Unlike her earlier work, "Up Up Up Up Up Up" incorporates other different instruments other than Ani's traditional fierce guitar playing. The banjo, the organ, piano, and bass all adds a different layer of sound to Ani's music and gives her music new life. I personally love "Up Up Up Up Up Up". It is different from Ani's earlier music but I think it is still as good.

QUIT COMPLAINING!
Let me start out by saying: this is an incredible album. It has more of a jam feel than any of her other albums, and you can just hear her and the band having fun. But now let me say that I am tired of hearing the old die hard fans complain that her music has "changed," that she's not "folk-punk" anymore, and that this album isn't any good.

Ani's music is growing, and we should be happy to be able to witness the evolution. Where her lyrics used to be brilliant because they were raw and in your face, starting with this album, her ideas get more complex, her metaphors take a few lines to unfold, her melodies are more complicated...

This album will always be one of my favorites because it feels free, spontaneous, and innocent. It also marks the real beginning, I think, of her music with the band. Again, a great album from a great artist...even if she isn't still making the same music she did when she was 19!

This is where Ani began to sink down,down,down,down,down.
This album is okay. Not great, not even really good, but okay. This was the beginning of the end of the great ANI ERA.
I traveled all over to see her, bought all her albums, etc. After "Plastic Castle" the albums got progressively worse.
If you're new to ANI, I recommend buying everything recorded before Up,Up,Up. ... Read more

Amazon.com

What's most astonishing about Amy Ray's torrid, ferocious solo debut is just how convincingly she wears the colors of the riot grrrl. Save the dreamy acoustic "Lazyboy," the record rages like a showdown at the barricades, with Ray and her cadre of subversives (notably Sugar's David Barbe, Joan Jett, and Southern undergrounders the Butchies and the Rock*A*Teens) tearing into mainstream rock critics, antigay violence, gender stereotypes, and thorny sexual politics--all with the punk brio of Bikini Kill or Hole. If the lyrics can be as strident as manifestos, the waves of ruthless yet melodic guitar rock are never less than urgent, and often exhilarating. Stripped of all earnestness, Ray lets loose an unvarnished rock & roll passion--taking no prisoners and offering no regrets. --Roy Kasten ... Read more

Reviews (26)

NOT surprised and NOT disappointed!
Unlike some others, I was looking forward to Amy's new album. I have been an Indigo Girls fan for years and have always known that Amy was the rockier one. STAG is definately a rockier album than your standard IG album and is a great CD. I found it very interesting that some of the themes and songs from IG albums have made their way to STAG (i.e. Johnny Rottentale). As to her becoming an "angry liberal folk singer", folk music has had a long history of championing causes. It's not a new thing. Amy's new CD is a great CD on it's own, not just because it was written by an Indigo Girl. Some of her songs are rockin' hard, crank it up, and yell along good (Lucy Stoner, Mtns. of Glory), while others are more contemplative (Laramie). There is beauty here, it's just a different form than an Indigo Girls CD.

Haven't heard it yet....
but looking at other reviews, listening to the samples and full tracks,and combining my thoughts on Amy and Emily I can say that I won't be suprised when I buy it. Amy has always seemed to me like she was driven more towards rock than folk, it's as if Emily keeps Amy from rocking too hard. This isn't a bad thing... we all like the product: Indigo Girls! I was expecting this CD to have more rock than Indigo Girls music usually does, and it seems like I was right (my friend [she's always liked Amy's style of music better than Emily's] was also expecting this and you should have see her face when she heard the "scary banjo" on the first track). I hope that my fellow IG fans and I enjoy Amy's solo CD as much as some of the other reviewers have.

PS. I'm aware that this review probably hasn't helped anyone but that's ok....

amy ray stands out on her own
being one of the biggest amy ray fans in the world, i am surprised to see that i had yet to review this one.

stag is proof that amy ray can hold her own ground both as a musician and a businesswoman. not only did she write and perform all of the songs on the album, but she was the producer and is the CEO of the album's label (daemon). she did all of the mixing and mastering herself. and on tour to promote the album, she did her own driving, teching, and settling. amy is quite multitalented.

the cd itself is out of this world. since its release date in march of 2001, i have managed to wear out six copies of this album. it is that good. her songs are very politically based and have many gender/sexual identity themes. from "laramie," an angry tribute to the town where matthew shepard was murdered to "lazyboy," which very well could have been an indigo girls song, there is not one cut on this cd that is lacking or subpar.

with backing of some friends (but no, not emily saliers) including the butchies, 1945 (a daemon band), rock*a*teens (another daemon band), and joan jett, ray has prooven that she has what it takes to be an indigo girl and to do her own thing stag.

Ripping Off the Mask
Amy Ray's "Stag" is an excellent set, diverse in its reach. The opener "Johnny Rotten" has Amy on mandolin in a sad tale of a brother gone wrong. "Laramie" explodes in an angry wash of electric guitar commenting on the crucifixion of a gay man on a fence post, "We hit snow on the road to Laramie, we all heard about that mess, but that town ain't no different than the rest." "Lucystoners" is a great rocker unleashing anger & energy, "Testing 1-2-3 in the marketplace, but it's a demographic base disgrace." "Late Bloom" is a thundering midtempo rocker with a passionate vocal and exceptional melody, "All that time that you were walking the line, well I don't mind, now I know." "MTNS of Glory" rocks vengefully, "Gonna miss being the boy, gonna miss being the man." The CD closes on high note with "On Your Honor," "Put away your hate." Amy Ray is letting loose on this solo set and produces some incredibly emotional, moving rock & roll. This is essential listening for any open-minded rocker. Enjoy!

I think I'm in love...
This cd rocks! I picked this album up at an IG concert thinking of cool songs like "Shame On You" and "Romeo and Juliet". What I got was even better. More edgeier beats, more in-your-face lyrics, same emotion driven voice. I can see alot of group anthems coming from this project. My only complaint is the song "Lazyboy". Am I the only person who thinks the whistling is annoying? Yes, the instruments are a tad bit too loud, but to say you can catch a few words is an exaggeration. I understand her just fine. Music fans won't be dissapointed. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The follow-up to the ambitious Up Up Up Up Up Up finds the prolific Ani DiFranco striving to expand the range of her brand of do-it-yourself folk. Here she incorporates organ, clarinet, megaphone, and even an ill-advised rap courtesy of Corey Parker, whose father, former James Brown sideman Maceo, contributes saxophone to a few tracks. DiFranco, meanwhile, handles her usual array of instruments, taking on bass, drums, guitar, and, of course, vocals. That voice has changed since her 1990 debut. A smoky quality adds a layer of expression and maturity to still-angry protestations such as the title track and its whispery counterpoint, "Back Back Back." There's even an appearance here from the Unpronounceable One, a.k.a. the Artist, who lends his distinctive voice to the alternately dense and quiet "Providence." Regardless of guest appearances and new vocal and instrumental colors, however, DiFranco's ace remains the quiet, confessional tone she brings to introspective songs such as "I Know This Bar." The sound of her fingers sliding from one warm chord to the next is DiFranco at her strongest. Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (142)

Absolutely amazing!
While I loved Upx6, I felt like something was missing. It seemed like Ani wasn't singing with the energy and intimacy I was used to. But with this album she returned in full form. Each track is lyrically and vocally powerful. It seems like with this album she finally found a way to recreate the energy she has playing live. My favs are Freakshow, Wish I May, Swing, and Soft Shoulder.

She has more instruments backing her vocals this time around, but as with later albums it seems to be a hinderance (certain tracks on Revelling/Reckoning) on this record all the instruments combine to make a wonderful whole, perfectly complementing Ani's soft and melodic voice. Plus I just absolutely LOVE the jazz/funk thing she does; it's so neat! Definitely my favorite Ani album to date. Her musical style may change and turn some fans off, but I'm one who will be there with her, ready and willing to listen to each incarnation. Ani, you rock!

Funky Little Folksinger Grooves On
Just let me say that I love this woman and think that just about everything that she has ever done rocks! Honestly, I am a bigger fan of her earlier stuff. If this is your first Ani purchase, I think that "Living In Clip" provides a better starter CD because it represents a bit of all of her different styles. This latest CD is much better than her last two. Musically, I think she keeps branching out more and more and getting wonderfully creative. The big dissappointment here is that she still hasn't gotten back to being as political as she was in her earlier stuff. Her lyrics aren't as raw and cutting as they once were. The exception on this CD being the title track, "To The Teeth," and the 6th track, "Hello Birmingham." This CD for the most part is pure funk and groove, which isn't a bad thing. I've had it on cleaning my house, it's great for that, kept me moving and dancing. But, if you're looking for Ani's thought provoking politically inspiring lyrics, they're in short supply here, although not completely absent. If you're a die hard Ani fan like myself, you don't want to miss this one!

Ani's Political Pride
Ani DiFranco showcases her anger through her album 'To the Teeth". She expresses her democratic pride and her deep, personal anger through every track. Her style offers the one-on-one closeness to her audience. Every lyric is fearless. This is only one of her qualities that deserves tremendous respect as an artist and as a person. "To the Teeth", the track and "Hello Burmingham" express her anger toward the world and certain political values the heaviest.

She offers a wide musical variety. She combines rock, folk, pop, and funk. Her use of woodwind and brass instruments give a new, pleasing, and evolving touch to her tracks. Her guitar efforts more than accents her musical style, she also expresses her feelings through it. Few other guitarists have mastered this difficult task. She also plays the bass, the drums, and the keyboards on many tracks brilliantly. Despite such expressed anger, her voice remains beautiful, never losing its soul for a second. Such showcased talent proves that she is one of the best musicians of today.

Sadly, she's also one of the most underrated musicians in music history. "To the Teeth" proves that she continues to evolve as an artist through every album release. This is one of her most personal albums to date. All Ani DiFranco and soft rock fans will enjoy this album. Those that like her introduced woodwind and brass instrument sound will also enjoy her newest album "Evolve". That is the next step from such style...wonderful as always.

ONE NIBBLE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH
We have been a Ani aficionado since her first self-produced CD was released too many
years go. On this, her 13th CD, she tries. She really tries. But Ani's stab at protest songs --- spurred by the Columbine tragedy --- are too preachy. And lacking her usual poetry, or at least the poetic justice needed to make songs of injustice ring true. We're also starting
to real annoyed with her little-girl voice, whispered to the kind of folksy strumming found in coffeehouses . We're getting old and need her to speak --- make that SING --- up.
Sorry, but we cannot sink our teeth into this one. One nibble was enough.

(agree with mark) NO ONE REALLY LIKES THIS ONE
Honestly, this is not one of her best. Only played 1x, then sat on a shelf for a year. I finally sold it on Half-dot-com. If you like funky jazz, get a disc from LIQUID SOUL. They know how to do it right. This album sounds like Ani got stoned one afternoon and just started recording anything. Not a single memorable song. Sorry, I don't know any Ani fans who enjoyed this. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Out of Range marks the end of the first phase of Ani DiFranco's career, not so much in terms of the way she goes about her business (as always, on her own terms) but in terms of her songwriting, arranging, performing, and, to a greater extent than ever before, growing popularity. On Range, for the first time, DiFranco's songs sound like they wouldn't be out of place on the radio (in this case, that's a good thing); on the very first track, "Buildings and Bridges," she expresses herself with greater grace and subtlety than ever before. But the message is still loud and clear: she can take what the world will throw at her, and she will persevere. The rest of the album unfolds along similar lines and often reveals similar treasures. --Randy Silver ... Read more

Reviews (39)

wow
Out of Range is definitely one of my favorite studio recordings of ani. I love them all, but it probably gets the most play. It is amazing. I can listen to the cd over and over and still do not get bored with it.
The title song is played so powerfully; buildings and bridges...aahh, just great, could listen to it forever; not to mention beautiful songs on this album such as you had time and overlap. But seriously, i can't imagine my cd collection without this - something would be sorely missing.
I HIGHLY recommend this cd to ANY music lover; it's wonderful!

Beautiful album
This is definitely a MUST for any Ani fan, or for those who want to indoctrinate themselves...It's visceral, immediate, pure Ani, and it's amazing from beginning to end...It's songs stand on their own, but together in an album they are pure magic. In my opinion the first standout is 'Buildings and Bridges' - you can't not stop and take notice of this song in which she draws parallels on the necessity of one's ability to shift, grow, change, and ultimately accept life, by comparing it to the necessity of the built environment (a human creation) to bear the shifting tides of the earth. The thoughtful observation, pure emotion and truth of what she is saying creates a song with magnitude and breadth. 'Falling is Like This' is gorgeous. 'You Had Time' is so quintessential Ani - haunting, sad, layered, a foreshadow of the great artist she has, and continues to become. Don't miss it.

A Staple in Your Ani Collection
OK, so you loved NOT A PRETTY GIRL, IMPERFECTLY and PUDDLE DIVE and you want another album by Ani that's "kind of like those". You're in luck -- there's one left! It's called OUT OF RANGE and it's great.

(Not that the earlier, more simple albums and the later, more synthesized albums aren't great too, but this one sort of rounds out the 'in-your-face folk style quadrilogy".)

Songs like OVERLAP capture deeply personal moments with anger, longing and guts.

YOU HAD TIME is about wishing you loved someone that you know is a good match for you, and who -- even worse -- ouch -- happens to love you deeply.

And of course, there's her trademark political FACE UP AND SING, which is probably the reason for the cliche, "You go, girl." :)

It's another must-have in your Classic Ani collection.

tied for my favorite
This is going to go down as one of my favorite albums of all time. It was my first album by ani and to this day i could listin to it whether i am happy or sad or lonely or content. It is a beautiful, beautiful album. It has some of the best songs possibly ever written like buildings and bridges and face up and sing. Its simply a pleasure to listen to.

Excellent introduction to Ani
This was my first Ani CD when she was touring to promote it back in the nineties. While it's not her best, it's a great introduction to an artist in transition from an acoustic folk singer to something a little more diverse. Her later albums contain broader influences and more complex orchestrations with a greater variety of instruments. I think this album shows that she was beginning to feel the limitations of being simply a girl with a guitar and ready to try something different... ... Read more

Reviews (4)

I love this album
Sweet music to my ears. This is my favourite Hayden album to date. I'm so glad someone put a guitar in his hands way back when. One of my all time favourite story tellers. I can imagine listening to this album when I'm old and grey. This one is timeless.

Hayden Elk-Lake Serenade
This is the sixth album by Hayden and by far his most upbeat and rootsy but at the same time reflective and honest and engaging. I recently saw him LIVE and this is a great way to appreciate him. Wait till you hear Home By Saturday, what a romantic yet straightahead song. 15 heartfelt songs and even some strings and pedal steel as well as Hayden's trademark lovely piano and guitar, a most mellifluous man. This is my fave Hayden disc and I love 'em all. Highly recommended.

BUY THIS CD!!!!!!!!!
I CAN'T GET ENOUGH FROM THIS GUY. HE OUT-DID HIMSELF AGAIN! THIS CD IS MORE UPBEAT THAN PREVIOUS CD'S, BUT THAT'S ALRIGHT BECAUSE I'M MORE UPBEAT THAN I USED TO BE. IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE, GO SEE HIM LIVE. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. THANK YOU STEVE BUSCEMI FOR INTRODUCING HAYDEN TO ME THROUGH YOUR BRILLIANT FILM-TREE'S LOUNGE, ALL THOSE YEAR AGO. I HAVE BEEN A HUGE FAN, EVER SINCE...

Great
Musically, more upbeat than Skyscraper National Park; great all the way through. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

excellent
lovely, soul-stirring, and rocking sounds from a classic band that brought many elements together to great effect, indeed.

Missing some stuff
This isn't a bad collection, but it is missing a few singles. Where are "Mama Help Me" and "Black and Blue" from "Ghost of a Dog?? Where is "Tomorrow Comes" from Edie's solo record?? I was kinda disappointed that those songs weren't on this compilation, especially considering that two of them, "Black" and "Tomorrow", were both singles.

I'm looking back. Who is still missing this?
The interesting thing in the liner notes, aside from the usual information about performers, composers, and musicians, is the dates and places of these songs on the pop charts. Her first hit, "What I Am," as a single was @ Pop #7 charted 11-26-88, after being Modern Rock #4 charted 09-10-88 and Album Rock #9 charted 10-15-88. How quickly this song became history, a dim reflection for such a walk on the slippery rocks of a light in the fog, is that it was Adult Contemporary #30 charted 01-28-89, a mere 14 years ago. It is still a great song, but it hardly defines the nature of Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. The second selection in Edie Brickell's Ultimate Collection did almost as well on the Modern Rock and Album Rock charts, thought it might be considered more morbid. The third selection, "Circle," found its way back to the Pop chart at #48 on 04-08-89, when a former George Bush was president, and I lost touch with popularity, as who hasn't?

The song by Bob Dylan, "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall," selection number 4, was originally one verse longer. The first is done in the simple, unadorned style of a solo folksinger, desolate as hell, and after a drum introduction at the end of the first chorus, this song is suddenly rocking full blast on the third verse. If they tried to record a second verse that was a half and half-between sound, I can only assume is wasn't anything and they cut it.

"Wayoho" starts as a song about a dog in a pickup on the highway, not looking for a final destination. I bought the second Edie Brickell & New Bohemians album, "Ghost of a Dog," which didn't seem to make the charts with anything, and enjoyed the lighter solo numbers by Edie Brickell, "Ghost of a Dog" and "Me by the Sea," for being more distinctively hers than any of the songs that have been selected for the "Ultimate Collection" CD. Its selection 12, "Zillionaire" is another song about a dog, written by Edie Brickell, Rob Wasserman & Jerry Garcia, which has the same character, as a song about a dog.

What do I like? For one thing, the song "Carmelito" on the "Ghost of a Dog" CD is so up, like Paul Simon's "Me and Julio down by the Schoolyard," that I can see how Paul Simon, more than anyone else in the world, considered Edie Brickell the best woman in the world to be married to. Sometimes an affinity like that can last a long time. Songs on the "Ultimate Collection" CD produced by Paul Simon include "Good Times," "Lost In The Moment," and "Green." Like "Big Day, Little Boat" produced by Tony Berg, from the tribute album, "Nobody's Child," these songs seem slight but highly crafted. It has been so long since I first heard "Good Times," and the whole song embodies a style which I associate with a different genre, I really didn't think Edie wrote the song, but she gets the "All words and Music by Edie Brickell" credit on the "Picture Perfect Morning" CD, where Barry White gets credit for "Spoken Instrumental," though it is called "spoken interlude" in the list of musicians for the "Ultimate Collection" CD.

The big mistake in the CD liner notes: tracks 11 and 12 have been switched. Track 11 is now "Like I Do Now," which has the melodic trumpet solo by Chris Botti, while track 12, "Zillionaire" is far more likely to have Jerry Garcia on guitar.

I like the songs from The Slip, which makes me glad I bought the "Ultimate Collection," because these songs were previously unreleased. "Invisible Man" is an incredibly strong song. "1873 (Buffalo Diary)" is a great personification of "people shot at me," as well as "they shot my brothers in the back." The "Girl in the Magazine" is an incredible personification of a fantasy girl, "if I get into your bed, I can get into your head. Hear it from the lips of the girl in the magazine." It is a song with a tune that reverberates so well with what it is saying that you need to know that line before hearing the introduction becomes exciting. Once you know it, the way this song builds through its chorus is glorious, in its way. After that, "Vodka" is the song that makes the rest of this CD one that is worth listening to the whole CD all the way through every time.

No tracks from from their new CD but still excellent
Although there are no tracks from their new independent CD, The Live Montauk Sessions, which is available through newbohemians.com, this CD is still awesome. Unlike many bands from the 1990s whose music and style is still stuck in a time warp, the New Bohemians have moved on but have still managed to remain faithful to their neo Dead roots. The combination of the neo-Dead style mixed with their new, more modern styleis most evident on the track "A Little Time." An excellent CD

Press Release
FIRST CAREER RETROSPECTIVE FOR EDIE BRICKELL -&- NEW BOHEMIANS FEATURES BEST-LOVED TRACKS AND SEVEN PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED RECORDINGS
Any list of musical shooting stars must include Edie Brickell -&- New Bohemians. Their debut album, 1988's Shooting Rubberbands At The Stars, went #4 pop, double platinum, and #10 on Rolling Stone's list of the best albums of 1989. The single What I Am (with its memorable "I know what I know if you know what I mean/Choke me in the shallow water/Before I get too deep") went Top 10 as well. The band debuted nationally on Saturday Night Live and went on tour with Bob Dylan, Don Henley and the Grateful Dead. But while they never reached that plateau again, the band and Edie solo continued making music emphasizing feeling over attitude, the small moment over the big picture--music that has continued with a recent reunion on stage and album.

Edie Brickell -&- New Bohemians: Ultimate Collection (Hip-O Records), released September 10, 2002, their first comprehensive career overview, features 19 digitally remastered selections, including Edie solo material (produced by husband Paul Simon), recordings with Rob Wasserman/Jerry Garcia and jazz popster Chris Botti, and seven previously unreleased tracks. Compiled with Edie's and the band's participation, Ultimate Collection also boasts their take on Dylan's A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall for the 1994 Born On The 4th Of July soundtrack and Big Day, Little Boat, her contribution to the George Harrison-led 1990 benefit project Nobody's Child - The Romanian Angel Appeal.

In 1985, Edie was a Southern Methodist University freshman working as a waitress in hometown Dallas, TX. One late night/early morning at a tiny after-hours club, inspired by a friend (and Mr. Jack Daniels) she got up on stage and sang with the band, New Bohemians. Three years later, signed to Geffen Records, the shy young girl and the band were being acclaimed as the best of a new breed of new artists.

From Shooting Rubberbands At The Stars, Ultimate Collection culls What I Am, Little Miss S. and Circle. From 1990's Ghost Of A Dog, there's Woyaho and Swisted. Taken from Picture Perfect Morning, Edie's 1994 Simon-produced solo album, are Good Times (with Barry White on vocals), Lost In The Moment and Green. Zillionaire with Wasserman and Garcia was first heard on the former's 1993 Trios album and Like I Do Now on Botti's 1995 First Wish album.

The previously unreleased tracks are from '90s sessions intended to be issued under the moniker The Slip (Girl In A Magazine, 1873 (Buffalo Diary) and Invisible Man) and four post-Geffen recordings (A Little Time, Boys In The Band, Baby and the Edie-Carter Albrecht duet Vodka).

Edie Brickell -&- New Bohemians is the latest compilation album in the Hip-O Ultimate Collection series which celebrates noteworthy artists. ... Read more

Reviews (39)

A healthy break from the mainstream for the intelligent
Control is my first Pedro the Lion CD, and despite the other reviewers' suggestions to buy "It's Hard to Find A Friend," I thought Control would be the best album to buy. This CD, I must say, has been in my CD player the longest out of the four I bought at once.

Although the album is sonically monotone from time to time, the sound is apt for the lyrics. Some songs are depressing, some angering...yet all of them, are, in the strangest way, life-affirming. The story that weaves itself within the tracks is among the most depressing stories I have ever heard. When all is said and done, and the CD ends, the listener finds himself or herself wanting to go out and live life more than ever. I think it's Bazan's motive behind writing the music...see the outcome, change the meaning of redemption, and leave the listener impacted by the story.

It's a strange CD in that sense. Musically, there isn't an incredible amount of range, although each instrument does its part in contributing to some incredibly powerful emotions. I found myself deeply moved by "Magazine" and "Second Best." "Options" is another great song. But the most important thing here is to thoroughly listen to the CD.

I think the listener will only love this CD if he has a sharp and analytical mind; although the actual lyrics are tremendously depressing, the motive, moral, and subtext are all amazing.

Bazan is Back!
I have a sort of love/hate relationship with this album. I get to a point where I simply want to dismiss this record as overdriven, skeptical trash, but then a certain melody or song lyric hits me and makes me think a bit.

However you look at it, you can't deny that Pedro the Lion's "Control" is a one-of-its-kind. Dave Bazan is truly leaving a mark with this album, letting his emotions, opinions, and feelings reach their highest height. Despite that the whole album is a fictional story about affairs and sex drives, I felt like I knew something more about Bazan himself after completing my listen.

This personal touch is what keeps drawing me back, looking for little insights in songs like "Magazine" and "Rapture." Often times, there are no meaningful answers (like the album's closer), which is, I think, the album's point. In the world Bazan takes us into with "Control," the only answer to life is either selfishness or utter confusion. It reminds me of films like Short Cuts or Happiness, movies filled with sad, depraved characters looking for answers in all the wrong places.

While I haven't said much about the music (it's not bad), it's really the message that will stick after listening to "Control"... Like a knife in your heart.

I'm Biased
I've been a Pedro the Lion fan for many years, so I was bound to like this album a lot to begin with. I suppose that tarnishes any objectivity that I have, but I still have to include this album in my top ten.

The album tells the story of an unfaithful husband and a resentful wife and culminates in the murder of the husband by the wife. The story is quite sad, but it resonates home to just about any listener. The opening song, options, already shows the breaking down of the relationship and the following infidelity on track two (Rapture) gives us a voyeouristic view of the affair. The listener is given a bird's eye view of the entire situation - seeing it from both the husband's and the wife's and ultimately a third party seeing the situation from afar.

The lyrics aren't just emotional and moving, they're also very well crafted. The opening verse in "magazine" is simply a fantastic wordplay that goes from a very broad principle to a very specific situation. This song was definitely a standout on the album the first few times I listened to it.

Musically the album doesn't seem to be anything new or different, but it is definitely solid and enjoyable. Bazan's singing definitely stands out on the song "Second Best" (which, coincidentally, is my second favorite song on the album...) and the song seems to be taking Bazan's voice to another level - beyond his standard fare.

I feel no guilt in giving this album my full 5 stars and I heartily recommend it to anyone. The storytelling and the music is fantastic. If you like Pedro the Lion, I also recommend listening to Roadside Monument (with Jonathan Ford - formerly of Pedro the Lion), Damion Jurado (past collaborator), and Chris Staples solo work (of twothirtyeight).

Better than crack.
Yeah, its that good. Listen to track 1, buy the cd because theres nothing you can do after that. Then remember to tell your friends about it.

Great CD!
1/3 Sebadoh + 1/3 Lou Barlow + 1/3 Nirvana = Pedro the Lion

Yes..I know that 2/3 of the equation contain some form of Lou Barlow in it, but it would be very difficult for Pedro the Lion to avoid comparisons to Barlow's music. The influence of Lou Barlow isn't a bad thing though...I would just be blown away if someone told me that Pedro the Lion had never listened to a Sebadoh song. My favorite thing about this CD is the lyrics, it tells a story from a point of view..a story with morals without really being too preachy. I know Pedro the Lion is christian rock, but you don't have to be a christian to be moral, and you don't have to be a christian to connect with the lyrics. Musically, for the most part, the CD is great. However, one of the few complaints that I have with the CD is that sometimes the music is overly downbeat and depressing..I know the subject of the CD is a very heartbreaking subject, but I think a couple of the tracks take it down a couple of notches too far. The stand out song for me is "Rapture"..great lyrics, great music, and an overall catchy tune.

Bottom line is..if you enjoy Sebadoh and fantastic lyrics with a moral lesson, then this CD is probably a good buy. ... Read more

Reviews (43)

It Grew on this Neail Finn Fan...
(Reviewing One Nil, very similar Import release))
Well, I am by no means a verbose, seasoned music critic, but I am a huge Neil Finn fan. We're talking in line for the shows before the president of the local fan clubs show up. *grin* And honestly, I definitely prefer Try Whistling This over this latest album. Try Whistling This (first solo album after Crowded House) grabbed me immediately. Of course, I am a woman who responds emotionally to Neil's heart-squeezing-but-with-a-sharp-edge ballads, and TWT has some of his best ever, even rivaling some of my favorite Crowded House tunes like "Into Temptation", "Better Be Home Soon" (Temple of Low Men), "Fall at Your Feet", "Four Seasons in One Day" (Woodface), "Together Alone" (title track) and so on.
So this album comes, and it is riding the line between pop-y and I-don't-know-what. Love Sheryl Crow's back-up vocals, as well as Sharon Finn's cameos throughout. But it doesn't immediately make me a happy camper. It took a few plays before the songs grew on me, and even then, some songs are just...ho hum, waiting for the next tune. And that is from someone who can't get enough Neil.
SO, that said, of COURSE I want everyone to still buy it. If you don't buy it, then the American record labels that were so slow to pick up this album will be even slower the next time Neil's talents come down the pike. And I haven't seen Neil in concert for years. Where will that leave me?! *whine*
Honestly, though. For those who are fans of Neil, you will want to add this album to your collection. Yes, One All, even though it is similar to One Nil, has a couple remixes that I can attest to being even better than the import release. For those of you who don't know Neil and what to get to know him, I can't say that this album is his best work, but you won't be comparing this album to his other work, so independently it may be a work of sheer genius as the last reviewer implied. Either way, you really can't go wrong buying anything Neil has put his hands to. He is an amazing songwriter, lyricist, and singer. Don't miss him any chance you get. You know I won't!

One for all...
It's a pity that it took over a year to get this released in the US. One All (aka One Nil down under)is an intelligent, well crafted set of songs. It's certainly no accident that Neil Finn has excelled at writing material like this. While it sounds worlds away from the quirkier arrangements of Split Endz, One All would have fit in very well with the Crowded House catalog.

So what's the difference between One All and One Nil? One All actually sounds more consistent. The two new songs are a mixed bag. Lullaby Requiem is certainly well crafted but the chorus puts it a bit over the top while Human Kindness stands as one of Finn's best ballads. THe album feels more complete with these although adding them (Vs. subtracting the two tracks Don't Ask Why and Elastic Heart are both admirable efforts equal to anything else here. It seems that Finn and Netwerk should have enhanced the original experience by including them as bonus tracks.

The four remixed tracks vary in quality. There's not a huge improvement although all seem a little slicker and more streamlined. One All certainly has an advantage over the earlier edition but is it worth paying the extra money for? If you've already purchased One Nil it all depends on how big a fan of Finn you are. Are the new tracks essential? Probably not but most fans will want them anyway.

Although not as experimental as Try Whistling This, One All has it's moments that equal (and in some cases surpass) his debut solo album. Now that this has finally been released in the US, we'll be able to see Finn tour America again. Although not quite up to the stanard of his best two Crowded House albums (Woodface and the darker, subtle Together Alone), One All is every bit the equal of the CH debut album and (the criminally underrated) Temple Of Low Men.

If you're a fan of XTC, The Beatles or Eels, you'll enjoy this finely crafted work. The melodies are rich, the lyrics thoughtful and well written and the performances are all outstanding.

just buy it
This disc has been in the player for about a year. We bought it at the Neil Finn show in San Diego last February and have not stopped listening to it since. Neil Finn is a very talented artist.

he is a genius.
He did stand aloof from Beatles!

One All
Neil Finn first broke onto the music scene in the 70's as one of the founding members of Split Enz, one of New Zealand's most successful pop/rock/punk bands, and garnered worldwide attention with minor hits "I Got You" and "I See Red." Split Enz, as their name suggests, eventually split ends and Neil went on to form Crowded House in the 80's. Neil enjoyed more success with Crowded House and the hit singles "Don't Dream It's Over," "Something So Strong," and "Weather With You." Crowded House eventually became a little too cramped as Neil and his brother Tim disbanded the group to focus more on their solo work and brotherly collaborations. Try Whistling This, Neil's first proper solo album, shyed away from the Split Enz and Crowded House material as Finn began to take a darker edge with his songwriting in tunes like "She Will Have Her Way," "Sinner," and "Addicted." Despite much critical success, as is par for the Finn family, Whistling failed to take off commercially in the states. Never one to take a day off, Neil promptly went back to work on crafting One Nil, his sophomore solo release. Once again released to critical acclaim in Europe, Australia, and Asia, American record execs at Sony/Work didn't hear another "Don't Dream It's Over" on there. As the Work label was collapsing and Sony was cleaning it's roster of established acts, Neil went back into the studio to re-work One Nil into One All - partly due to label pressures, partly due to his perfectionistic tendencies. The traditional record label stories follow leaving Neil with a refurbished version of an album which was already fine to begin with, but without a company to release it in the States. In steps Nettwerk, a Canadian-based artist-friendly label that was for all intensive purposes founded on the international success of Sarah McLachlan, to release One All. Always the showman, Neil continued to tour throughout all this to sold-out audiences across the world culminating in 7 Worlds Collide, an experiment as he says to form a band of his friends and some of the greatest musicians today, play a week of shows, and disband before things start going bad.

One All is a return to more typical Neil fare with folk-rock fare with memorable, jangly melodies and intelligent lyrics. The reworking of One Nil to One All allowed Neil to recruit Sheryl Crow, whom he opened for as part of his Whistling tour, to sing harmonies on two tracks, "Driving Me Mad" and "Turn And Run," and contribute accordion to another, "Into The Sunset." "Turn And Run" is one of the album's most haunting tracks detailing a failed relationship: "I won't give you up / Till silverware's covered in dust / And my shoes fall apart / And the tumbleweed runs / Over my desert heart." Produced by Finn and Tchad Blake, he was able to recruit some of pop's most revered to help him - Crow, Lisa and Wendy (of Prince fame, yes, that Prince), the ever-haunting Lisa Germano, Sebastian Steinberg of the recently disbanded Soul Coughing, Los Angeles's Shon Sullivan (aka Goldenboy), session-drummer Jim Keltner, and producer-extraordinare Mitchell Froom - and brought along his wife, Sharon, and son, Liam, to contribute vocals. On first listen, it's the ballads that stand out, "Turn and Run," "Wherever You Are," and "Lullaby Requiem," but repeated listens prove the catchiness of the more upbeat pop tracks, "Driving Me Mad," "Human Kindness," and "Anytime." Briefly put, One All is an understated masterpiece that works its way into your heart with its beauty and simplicity. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Strangely innovative
Cat Power is retarded... I mean, Chan Marshall writes these basic songs--but they carry so much weight! These songs are literally: three chords and the truth. But they don't sound like anything else that you've heard before. Even Steve Shelley's drumming sounds fresh and daring.

Cat Power is magic... First, there is Chan's voice. It's hard to describe. Hearing her vocals makes you feel like you're listening to an old friend.

Cat Power is ineffable... Just check this album out, or for that matter, any other CP album. Listen to it a couple of times and become one of the many converted.

nothing but power
This album is Chan Marshall at her most punk-inspired, at it also happens to be my fave out of what she's done--Why?--in her later albums, the focus has been her voice, which means that the accompaniment is her piano playing/guitar work with no other frills--while this is by no means bad, she has a limited repertoire of solo guitar work and piano work, which can create a monotony in her music--in What Would The Community Think, she has a great back up band (including steve shelley of sonic youth) which emphasizes the jewel of her voice, but also adds a variety that I find lacking in her later releases--highlights? In This Hole (a tragic beauty), What Would the Community Think (A hypnotic meditation of feedback), and Nude as The News (as lively as Chan gets)

ONE OF THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IF YOU LIKE CAT POWER, YOU NEED THIS CD. THIS ALBUM REALLY DESCRIBES CHAN AND SOUNDS VERY NATURAL FOR HER. IT HAS EVERY ONE OF HER DIFFERENT STYLES TO OFFER, FROM SUPER SLOW TO ANGRY SAD-CORE, TO WHIMSY COUNTRY. A MUST HAVE FOR ANY FAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love is not loneliness
Of course all albums worth reviewing are five stars, and every "best of" is so personal as to be meaningless. Cat Power is so insular as to be beyond review. You either feel her pain, or you don't. If you have ever seen Cat Power live, you have been treated to either the most moving or most embarrasing performance of your life-- sometimes both in the same night. Much the same with this album. This is Chan at her most raw, most intimate, most compelling and most distancing. It is almost funny to watch the progression of her career, to see her perform with "famous musicians" and to see her on Letterman. She is ultimately an outsider artist, creating something not quite "art" but rather a daguerrotype of her soul.

Not as good as Moon Pix, but still really good
Nude as the News is the best track on here, but this record lacks the focus and the mystery of Moon Pix. However, it's still quite worth is and it's funny to hear about her estimation of how much God cares about her. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ani DiFranco was a star from the get-go. It just took the world a little while to catch on to that fact. In 1990, folksingers didn't shave their heads, wear nose rings, or sing about the feelings in their jeans, but DiFranco did. Her bracing, punky stance hit just as hard on her debut as it does now--perhaps even more so, due to its freshness and DiFranco's uncompromising solo acoustic attack. These songs, all delivered with an absorbing passion and a palpable conviction, are the bedrock of her soaring career. Some, like the fantastic and challenging "Both Hands," still pop up in concert. --Michael Ruby ... Read more

Reviews (31)

i'm listening to this cd right now
i try to listen to it at least once a day, if not more... because each time i hear this cd, i hear something new. every one of her songs speaks to me- i bought this cd after being an ani fan for quite a while, and when i put this in my stereo, i nearly started to cry. this album is the reason why we ani fans are so loyal- because she is real. her reality isn't censored or compromised... it's straight up, and it speaks the truth. this album is personal... like your best friend came over with her guitar, sat down, and decided to tell you exactly who she is. an amazing beginning....

Simple and beautiful
I was cautious about getting this album because I was pretty new to Ani's stuff, just having Dilate and Little Plastic Castle before it. I loved those two albums, but had heard that this one is very different, and since it was her first album, I wondered if it would be as polished as her later ones.

I had no reason to worry. This is an absolutely gorgeous album, worth it for anyone who likes Ani or anyone who is genuinely interested in the music of a young woman whose perfectly structured lyrics just about any female who is at least 16 can identify with. The entire album features only Ani and her guitar. The melodies are addictive and Ani's voice is pure and does not yet have the gruff and often sarcastic quality that it does now, and she sings very clearly, so the lyrics are easy to understand.

The lyrics.. Ani writes some of the best lyrics I have ever seen. This album is no exception, and has some of my very favorites. It has songs about love and its disappointments ("Both Hands", "Letting the Telephone Ring", "Fire Door", "Every Angle", "Work Your Way Out", "Rush Hour"), women in society ("The Story", "Dog Coffee", "Pale Purple", "Talk to Me Now"), abortion ("Lost Woman Song"), exhaustion ("Out of Habit"). Every song on the album is a gem, even though I don't identify with all of them.

So, now I have this along with Dilate, Little Plastic Castle, Puddle Dive, Living in Clip, Not a Pretty Girl, and To the Teeth. This album is my favorite of those.

Ani's Roots
This was Ani DiFranco's debut album, and it shows exactly what later turned her into a cult-followed superstar.

This is Ani at her most basic. Very simple acoustic guitar. Very simple melodies. Only the lyrics are great.

This album happened before she became a passionate, in-your-face folk/rock artist. And long before she became a master in musical experimentation.

This album gives us a chance to see Ani in her simplest form. Singing the lyrics she loves in her most gentle voice.

Even back then, she wasn't afraid to mention her body parts, her political beliefs or her feelings, even when they're not picture-pretty. She was honest right from the start.

And though most fans will say "She gets better later" -- I think most of them still wouldn't want to part with this album.

It has a poetic, plain, urban quality that makes you remember that purple sunset in a crowded city, when you were holding hands with a guy you haven't seen in years.

ok
Her first album is good. I only have listenedto two ani albums . Evolve and this one. Ani's first album is good and I am glad I gave it a chance.

The first and the best
I remember when you couldn't find Ani anywhere! My boyfriend had a mix tape with "Talk to Me Now" and "Out of Habit" included and I searched high and low to find her. My parents finally did after months of searching. They bought 3 of her CD's for me. This just happens to be my favorite. So raw and natural. She was only 19 I guess when she produced this CD and she was already so insightful. I remain impressed with Ani even though I no longer listen to her on a regular basis. She doesn't have much to say to me anymore, BUT, whenever I listen to this CD, I remember where I've come from and how far I've traveled since then. The two tracks I mentioned previously are the best on the CD. Her poem, "The Slant" is also excellent. How could she know all this at such an age? I miss Ani and her guitar... just the two of them piercing my heart with their sincerity and their fearlessness. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Neil Finn's solo debut carries much the same style and tone of his work with Crowded House--the intimate vocal delivery, the undeniably intelligent pop approach. What Try Whistling This lacks is a couple of cuts to break up the tastefulness that washes over everything; there's no noise like "Locked Out," no full-on heartbreak like "Better Be Home Soon." That's no reason for fans of the singer/songwriter not to buy this, but it's hard to see how it'll win many new listeners over to this occasional genius's side. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Reviews (99)

A textural masterpiece
By the time Crowded House broke up there was no doubt that their leader, Neil Finn, was one of the most gifted and original songwriters around. Add to that a strong, unique singing voice and his consistently brilliant live performances and it's hard to see why he isn't better known. He's always been a critical darling, and his fans are ravenous, but here in the States he's known as the leader of a one-hit-wonder 80's band.

This album ofters further solid proof that Neil Finn is ridiculously underrated. While in Crowded House Finn stuck mostly to tried-and-true pop sensibilities, on "Try Whistling This" he provides a sense of adventure that was sometimes lacking with his former band. Songs like "Loose Tongue," "Addicted" and the title track make perfect, transparent use of odd phrasing and untraditional song structures. Finn also utilizes an array of vintage electronic instruments and some new beats to complement the understated pop elements of this record: the slinky string loops and trip-hop groove of "Sinner," for example, or the island-flavored beat of "Dream Date," or the droning Mellotron cellos of the paranoid and pretty "Souvenir." His lyrics are, if anything, even more introspective than in the past; "Astro" is the most conventional in its instrumentation, using mostly guitars and Hammond organ a la Crowded House, but its lyrics and production are decidedly darker. "She Will Have Her Way" is an instant classic and proves Finn still possesses a nearly unparalleled ability to produce smart pop hooks when he chooses to.

What many listeners may fail to realize is that Finn has established himself as a separate entity from The Leader of Crowded House, and while the treasures on this album are just as great as those on "Together Alone" or "Temple of Low Men," the listener will not find them in the same places. "Try Whistling This" is a moody, textural masterpiece that showcases the more adventurous side of Neil Finn, while maintaining his endlessly listenable pop sensibility. Highly recommended.

In a Word: "Rocktastic"
While some songs from "Try Whistling This" are a real departure from Neil's past work with Crowded House, Finn, and Split Enz, one thing remains constant: Neil Finn once again displays his song-writing brilliance.

"Sinner" is incredibly lush, dark, haunting and I haven't been able to take it off repeat for days.

"Faster Than Light" is yet another showcase for Neil's gorgeous harmonies. If you don't get the chills when you hear it, well...

"Loose Tongue" & "Twisty Bass" are a groovy new avenue for Neil, and one which he should continue to explore.

All in all, "Try Whistling This" is an album that shows Neil's got a sense of adventure as well as a little funk to go along with his already finely honed lyrical and musical ability. Work it Neil, you GO!

But seriously, I hope this album receives the attention that it deserves from new listeners, old fans, and the industry. You'll be missing out on another jewel if you don't buy this.

Discover New Zealand's Treasure
If you have not yet discovered Neil Finn, then stop wasting time. Finn first gained exposure when he joined big brother, Tim's Kiwi punk band, Split Enz. Neil went on to form Crowded House, which is one of the great underappreciated bands of the rock era. Finn is now solo, and creating complex melodies that would never have played in a band setting. Neil Finn has a McCartneyesque gift for melody and a Lennonesque gift for lyrics. This CD offers straightforward Beatles/Byrds melodies such as She Will Have Her Way, and also much more complex and nuanced works such as the title track. One of his most beautiful songs is Faster Than Light, which gets better the more I hear it. This is a quality CD which I constantly revisit and recommend highly.

A MUST Buy
If you liked Crowded House, you will love Neil's debut solo album Try Whistling This. Every song, and I mean every song, is excellent. Don't waste your time reading my review, pick up this album...NOW damnit, NOW!

Finn Pops Off
Neil Finn's "Try Whistling This" is great pop magic, showing that he did not slow down after Crowded House. "Last One Standing" almost bubbles with energy. "Souvenir" has gorgeous background vocals in addition to a haunting melody. "It's a dark empty room," Neil starts as the keyboards pulsate on the wispy "King Tide" while bass and guitar build. "I'm the best that you know," Neil sings as a lover asking to be taken back on the soft title track. "She Will Have Her Way" has a beautiful melody and is a classic Finn track, undoubtedly on its way to a greatest hits package. "Conscience plays on me now, Safe until my luck runs out, Coocoos call, pendulum swings, Thought you knew everything," Neil sings as we seem to drop in on the inner thoughts of the "Sinner." "The hangman's in the noose, the prisoner is loose," the lyric goes on the unsettling "Twisty Bass." "Loose Tongue" snarls with electric guitars popping in & out like shock treatments. "Truth" is a pretty melody, "Truth is worth more than pride." "Astro" is a celestial midtempo rocker, "One day they will discover you." Neil sounds a lot like "Mind Games" era John Lennon on "Dream Date," "I wish you were here to give me advice." "Faster Than Light" is a chiming charmer. The CD concludes with "Addicted," with prominent piano on one of Finn's glorious melodies. Neil Finn is one of our master musicians, and sounds wonderful on this excellent set. Enjoy! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Who besides Ani DiFranco would begin an album with a piercing buzz and a muttered "I don't know why the f**k I play acoustic guitars"? But then who else would release a double-disc concert set only five years after the last one? Like 1997's Living in Clip, her latest live document is sublimely packaged and messily recorded, and features the backing of a howling audience and a hot jazz-rock band. Highlights include a funky, almost gangsta take of her best New York song, "Cradle and All"; Julie Wolf's grinding organ on "Napoleon"; a