Ani Difranco is a rare gem. So rare in fact that I have a hard time seeing the attraction, at least most of the time. The girl can play guitar, I'll give her that, but man, we need some diversification here. I guess this means that if you have enjoyed all her past efforts, this one will have you "nukin' the joint" like "Heidi-Ho(ask Ani)." Most of the time she's more than tolerable, but then her Morrissette vocals catch me off guard and suddenly I'm not liking what I hear anymore. But maybe that's the point of the new breed of folk artists, shaking things up, forging new ground. If you've never heard Ani before, her unique brand of vocals will take some getting used to (although occasionally she does resonate with Alanis like musings). Her sound is diverse, ranging from slow ballads to crazy vocal effects to R&B-like beats. She is a strong musician who has influenced folk and rock alike, and she has been producing her own albums on her own label for over ten years. her following is strong and hers is the voice of a new generation of female folk artists. Rock on Ani!