Ani DiFranco has built a stellar reputation of performing under her own sets of rules. Those rules do not include micro-management and they do not include song selection by others. What they do include is the ability to build the most perfect album for the moment and the facility to release it in any form she desires. This is a quality of Ani DiFranco that is her own. And that is the need to be who she is, independent of outside interaction.

Ani has shaped her output over the years, incorporating styles and a communication that is unique to her personality. Ani likes to talk (sing) about things that are important to her. Fortunately for us, her audience, she has chosen the medium of music. Her songwriting skills showcase her natural ability to convey to us what happens to be in her mind and heart at the moment.

The album, aptly titled “Evolve”, is a mix of impromptu coffee shop styled arrangements that lean heavily to jazz with vocals delivered machine gun speed. She uses a wide range of horns like trumpets and clarinets to add style. She crafts structured lyrics that encapsulate the wonder of love and the pain of separation along with the high wattage exploration of governmental controls and the disdain for it all. She puts it all together with stripped down and fundamental music that works. It’s uniquely Ani. It’s what we have come to expect of her creativity.

The album features 12 new songs that weave together to construct a frame of mind and is simplistically produced. Ani rarely takes advantage of studio techniques to wrap around her poetry but when she does, it’s effective. In the beautiful “Shrug”, she uses a second vocal track to mirror her main vocals, underscoring her statements. But gimmickry is not the push of this disc. It’s bare and evocative. It’s pure Ani. It’s how she is “trying to evolve”.

We've heard better Ani. But she's moving in a different direction. She's very interested in the beatnik like environment that is a kind of hallmark for her. By stepping into that universe, she delivers a validity that can stand the test of time and further define her modes of transporting her thoughts in lyric. With each new release in this style, she will cement her place more securely but she will also have chosen a new direction as well in time. By this, she keeps herself at the cutting edge of style. And Ani will never settle for less.

The audio on this disc is as sharp and as clear as can be achieved. The impressive sounds that emanated from the speakers are a pleasure to hear. With the present style, it comes off sounding very life like without that wall of digital sound that normally stirs the sonics on a disc. It leaves you in awe of the overall quality.

The disc package is also put together with an eye to art. It is covered with an attractive mylar type slip cover that bears her signature and reveals a moth as a symbol of evolution. Within, the gatefold package opens to a sturdy CD seat while the cover doubles as a holder for the artistically designed 24 page booklet. The booklet provides lyrics, a cache of interesting photos and credits with track list.

Ani DiFranco fans will no doubt be enamored over this release. It is strong enough in its presentation and adopted musical styling that it will win new fans as Ani moves partially out of the angry artist stage into the avant garde art crowd. But if you think that Ani has abandoned her political leanings and philosophical rhetoric than you have another thing coming. She'll remind you that she still pays close attention to life's injustices with "Serpentine" Overall, it's an irresistable collection of songs. It's all Ani.

This review is dedicated to Kris Hallowell, who would have loved Ani. Ani mirrors the same principles that drove Kris. Kris was my special friend. I guess that she always will hold that place in my heart.

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Ani DiFranco

Evolve

Released: March 11, 2003
Origination Year: 2003
Time: 57:35
Tracks: 12
Produced by: Ani DiFranco w/ Marty Lester, Andrew Gilchrist, Mark Hallman and Sean Giblin
Engineered by: Ani DiFranco
Mastered by: Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound, NYC
Style: Studio
Format: CD
Enhancement: N/A
Label: Righteous Babe Records
Website:
www.righteousbaberecords.com

Promised Land
In The Way
Icarus
Slide
O My My
Evolve
Shrug
Phase
Here For Now
Second Intermission
Serpentine
Welcome To