Music Review//Ani diFranco - Which Side Are You On?

It's been almost four years since Ani diFranco's last album was released and it's now 2012, and the year is greeted with the release of her newest album Which Side Are You On?

Music Review//Ani diFranco - Which Side Are You On?

If you saw diFranco live at anytime over the past few years she'll probably have played one of the songs on this album and the best thing about their incarnation on record is that you may recognize the words and the insightful voice behind them but the music has changed almost unrecognizably from it's live setting. The opening chords of opener Life Boat are enhanced here by tinkly background noises and pensive additional guitar songs. You could say that the line where she says ' you can smell me coming down the street' is apt as it aural equivalent.


Other songs that impressed live and add more of the wow factor on record include the self-evident If yr Not which benefits from an improv jazz inspired backing and lyrics that are as plain spoken and meaningful as ever. Same goes for the political but humourous J wrapped in golden production that brings added edge to the deeply political words. 


The title track, a brittle guitar and voice combo in it's live setting is equally as powerful on record and incredibly on message with the times we are in. The addition of pulsating marching drums and brass adds an urgency that is genuinely inspiring. Perhaps if we saw this song on the performed over the world news people would have a better idea of exactly which side they were on. 


There is much to recommend Which Side Are You On? and the lush production, tour honed songs and refreshed voice of Ani di Franco are three among many.


Review by Seba.