Ani DiFranco REVOLUTIONAY LOVE. Righteous Babe

The transcendent new album from Ani DiFranco, REVOLUTIONAY LOVE marks the latest proof of one of her most powerful gifts as an artist: a rare ability to give voice to our deepest frustrations and tensions, on both a personal and political level.

REVOLUTIONAY LOVE arrives as an instantly transportable selection of songs. Rooted in her poetic lyricism and ever-commanding vocal work, the album unfolds in an understated yet captivating alchemy of folk and soul and lushly textured jazz-pop. Produced by Ani DiFranco and recorded mainly in two whirlwind days at Overdub Lane in Durham, Revolutionary Love more than justifies the mad dash behind its making. As her first studio effort since the release of No Walls and the Recurring Dream (DiFranco’s widely praised 2019 memoir), REVOLUTIONAY LOVE arrives as an instantly transportable selection of songs.

Rooted in her poetic lyricism and ever-commanding vocal work, the album unfolds in an understated yet captivating alchemy of folk and soul and lushly textured jazz-pop. In sculpting that sound, DiFranco and Brad Cook assembled an eclectic line-up of musicians, including percussionist Brevan Hampden (Hiss Golden Messenger, Milton Suggs), horn/flute player Matt Douglas (The Mountain Goats, Josh Ritter), keyboardist Phil Cook (Megafaun, Shouting Matches), drummer Yan Westerlund (Quetico, Mipso) and Di Franco’s long-time touring band Terence Higgins on percussion and Todd Sickafoose on bass.

Review

I will tend my anger

I will tend my grief

I will achieve safety

I will find relief

I’ll show myself mercy

I’ll show myself respect

Yes, and I’ll decide when I’m ready

To forgive but not forget

And so DiFranco’s new studio album opens with ‘Revolutionary Road’ and lyrics which burn bright with meaning, anger and poetry. The mood is melancholy, the vibe is contemplative and conversational; the music melodic with a strong rhythmic sense and, as usual, great instrumentation with the highest level of production bringing it all home. It’s personal and political, as one would expect from this sincere and legendary artist.

Don’t even think for a second

I had any idea

I thought you’d always want me

Like I wanted you

‘Bad Dream’ tumbles along again in contemplative mode but this time it’s introspective and deeply personal. Extended instrumental passages underline the drama while DiFranco’s distinctive and expressive vocal delivers the most believable message.

I feel like, if you could see me here

You would have some sort of empathy

But I don’t think that that can happen, dear

Now that you’ve lost the eyes to see

Now that your fever’s pulled you down

Into a deep hallucination

Demons and monsters all around

The perfect fix for your fixation

‘Chloroform’ opens with deep percussive beats and continues in a jagged style which begins to smooth out as the song progresses. It’s a rhythmic humdinger but with a melody that forms the most concrete foundation. The style is definitely more R&B and exposes a Prince influence following her work with the master over the years before his demise.

They go low, you go high

You bring more than your own supply

That dirty game you don’t play

That shit’s contagious, you stay away

That shit’s contagious, you stay away

They go low, you go high

‘Contagious’ returns to the polemic with its Latin beat leading the unmerry dance. The instrumental , jazzy passages bestow this marvel with conviction and modernity. It’s one of my favourites on the record.

‘Cause there’s foxes in the hen house

And bad news every day

And right there on Pennsylvania Avenue

The sheetless KKK

And there’s models wielding microphones

Chasing maniacs around

And everything’s on fire

And there’s twisters touching down

‘Do Or Die’ continues the social and political commentary with a distinctly blues/jazz tone underpinned by a Latin rhythm and truckloads of melody. It’s classic DiFranco. Wherever you drop the needle on this record you’ll find love and hate juxtaposed with a degree of optimism providing of course one recognises just what’s out there. Then there’s the more intimate moments which DiFranco is so good at reflecting in her music, and sometimes in the most adventurous musical fashion.

I sleep with one eye open

And I hold my breath til dawn

I’m no shrinking violet

But I got my head screwed on

You stood over me with a knife

And you tried to take my life

And it’s no comfort you don’t remember

It’s no comfort that you’ve moved on

The glacially paced ‘Shrinking Violet’ is an illustration of how DiFranco pillages the range of music genres to make her point. Check this one for the blues, gospel and soulful vibes. It’s pure genius. Fans will love this album, as I do, but anyone wishing to expose themselves for the first time to this legendary singer/songwriter/producer/entrepreneur should perhaps start earlier in her career like LITTLE PLASTIC CASTLES which happened to be my entry point to this lady’s music.

5/5

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http://www.shakenstir.co.uk/news/ani-di-franco-new-2021-lp/

http://www.shakenstir.co.uk/reviews/ani-difrancos-memoirs/