To the Teeth - Ani DiFranco (1999)
Well, it's now a
close battle between this and Scenes from a Memory for my album of the
year. This is easily the best album Ani's put out since Not a Pretty Girl
in 1995 (which, incidentally, is my favorite album of hers). It's also
an almost complete departure from the direction her music was taking. After
the rather mediocre "Up Up Up Up Up Up", which was released earlier this
year, I was afraid that Ani had lost her touch. But my fears are allayed
with this album, because, overall, it is terrific. I think what made the
real difference in this album is that she draws from so many different
musicians that serve to spice up the mix. This includes Maceo Parker, whom
she toured with last summer. I was lucky enough to see them live and it
was one of the most amazing concert experiences I've ever had. Prince (or
Artist formerly known as) also makes an appearance on a couple of songs.
The first few songs
didn't grab me too much. Then, track 3, "Wish I May", and boom! I was completely
and totally hooked. I first heard this song live (as I had for quite a
few of the tracks on here) and I loved it then, too. The way her voice
just slides across the notes, juxtaposing perfectly with the guitar. Another
good song is "Freakshow", which frankly sounds like Ani doing a rather
good impression of Alanis Morrisette. "Going Once" features the excellent
Maceo, and in "Swing" Ani even joins him in rapping. Who woulda thunk?
"The Arrivals Gate", which is one of those "objective observer" songs,
samples "Angry Anymore" from Upx6.
Overall, the songs
seem to fall into two categories: Really excellent, inspiring, inventive
songs, and the slower, ballady songs with Ani haranguing on about the ills
of the world, which can get a little tiring. Those songs are the ones where
she allows herself too much leeway, and the songs aren't nearly as tight
as the other ones.
But still, I love
the direction her music is taking, and I really hope she continues to expand
her sounds as she has in this album. She's moved way beyond her "little
folksinger" persona, and has become an amazing all around musician.
Dead Air for Radios - Chroma Key (1998)
Chroma Key is the name for Kevin Moore's solo project after he left Dream Theater in 1994. And in case you're wondering, it doesn't sound a thing like Dream Theater. There is a wide variety of styles in this album, but most of them are keyboard based, which is no wonder since Kevin Moore is a keyboardist. He does some really inventive and interesting things on this album, and with sometimes beautiful results. One thing he does which I love is sample voices in his songs...people just talking, people he's interviewed while on his travels. The voices don't take away from the music, but rather complements it. My favorite by far is "Wednesday the Sky". Overall, an unusual and inventive album. I can't wait to see what he does next.
This is a Recording (Demos 1994-97) - Kevin Moore (1999)
This album contains (as it says in the title) earlier demos that Kevin Moore did. Although many of them are in a somewhat rough state when you compare them to the more polished songs on "dead air for radios", there is really some beautiful songs on here. The keyboards are more of a presence than in "dead air for radios", and shows off his excellent skills. There is one song on here called "the fucking mouse" which I find hilarious. The only glaring omissions from this disc is Moore's remix of Tori Amos' "Song for Eric" and my favorite Chroma Key song, "Blanket". I only have them on mp3, but here's hoping they make an appearance on a future album.