Touring with singer/songwriter Joe Henry last year created an almost serendipitous friendship between Difranco and Henry; and out of that friendship, brought a producer (Henry) onto a Difranco album for the first time in her now 14 album career. And boy, did she ever need a producer after the last three D.O.A. albums in a three-year span. Difranco's work had become so reckless and shambled as of late, that it was becoming damn near unlistenable. It was almost as if Difranco had forgotten how to be relevant even to her legions of die-hard fans, let alone the music buying public.

Thankfully after listening to the first half of Knuckle Down though, it looks like Henry's kindred sprit is exactly what Difranco needed to get back on track. Henry keeps her in line, and doesn't let her go off on her little tirades (thank God) that she's known for. Three to four minute tunes with little subtleties like Henry's saloon style piano added here and there make for pleasant listens throughout. Fellow Righteous Babe label artist and former Squirrel Nut Zipper Andrew Bird also joins in on violin on the charming "Studying Stones" and even whistles a few bars on the affable "Manhole".

Notice I mentioned that Henry only produces the first half. The second half is self produced (big surprise) by Difranco herself, and numbers such as "Parameters" and "Callous" bring to mind the sonic sins of last years Educated Guess. Oh well, half of a decent Difranco record is better than nothing at all I suppose. Even though only the first half is worthwhile, it's still her best record in over half a decade.