Ani Difranco - So Much Shouting, So Much Laughter

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Music reviews of So Much Shouting, So Much Laughter

Music Review: A mixed review for a mixed album.
Rating: 3 Stars

Unfortunately, that doesn't keep up. Granted, it shows again with the version of "Gratitude," and to a much lesser extent with "My IQ." And some of the people put off by anything after Dilate might come back to her last three albums with more openness. Those albums deserve it. I'm a big fan of the last three albums. But not all the versions here make such a case for a second listen. Ani Difranco fans nowadays generally seem to be one of two sorts: either they insist on the superiority of her stripped down guitar/direct and overtly political days, or seem to worship her without considering what she is actually doing. Let's face it, something is often askew with the new approach, and it really shows on this disc. I am not sure what it is. The musicians' ability? Their comfort with each other? Their passion? It feels a little forced. And it gets so old: the same old couple of piano keys, the same trumpet notes and same flippin' trumpet intros. Or, a bunch of half-funky noise. On her most recent albums the trumpet and keyboards mostly work--but not here, and not nearly as often. Way too often her new songs and delivery on known songs are just not engaging. Sometimes, god forgive me, fan that I am, I feel like I'm listening as a favour. Her version of "Loom/Pulse" is a case in point. Nothing is much fun there. The vocal delivery, the drums, accordian, trumpet, electric guitar...you are not interesting, intelligent, creative, or a fun just because you play with Ani or play Ani Difranco songs. And that includes Ani. Think of the Living in Clip and Little Plastic Castle versions of these songs--they are fantastic. Go back and listen to "Jukebox" on Up Up Up Up Up Up. It's obvious that the passion and ability is on that record, as promising as this version begins. "You Had Time" is so promising, but then we get a couple of musicians who come off like they are thinking of being somewhere else. On "Shrug," it sounds like no one wants to be there.

Having said such possibly scathing things, let me state the obvious that this set is worth owning for the phenomenal "Self Evident." On music alone! If only all her performances with the band could have been so sharp! *That* is what they are capable of, that is what they should be doing. (It makes their other work here twice as embarrassing, frankly.) It really is amazing, folks. Ani nails the grief, significance, and the double-pronged peversity of 9/11 . Truly not to be missed. You'll understand and feel more each time you listen to it. So...five stars for Self-Evident. Four stars for a handful of performances, and a reluctant three stars at the rest of the tunes. It's not whether or not I like the cd that I can't figure. I do. It's how much. When you buy it, I hope you find it frustrating less often than I do.

Description of So Much Shouting, So Much Laughter

Alternative Rock CDs

• Music > Styles
• Folk
• Pop
• Rock