~ Kommentary by Kritter ~

Great Albums I

I want to briefly talk about some albums that I just find WONDERFUL. We all know that there are many mediocre albums out there. You know, with a few great songs but not at all solid as one piece. But when you do find those albums that are just spectacular from start to finish... well, it just rocks my world.

I labeled this entry Great Albums I because I was moved to write about one today, but there are many others I love and will want to write about in the future. Bear with me because I am sure this series will be riddled with music most of you are not interested in.

So let's talk about Ani DiFranco's album Not A Pretty Girl. I already know that I will be discussing other Ani albums. But this one happens to be in my CD player now and has spent quite a lot of time there in the last 6 months.

Here's the playlist:
01. worthy 02. tiptoe 03. cradle and all 04. shy 05. sorry i am 06. light of some kind 07. not a pretty girl 08. the million you never made 09. hour follows hour 10. 32 flavors 11. asking too much 12. this bouquet 13. crime for crime 14. coming up

I particularly love 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12. And 14. And well, I guess the point here is that I love every song. Tiptoe bothers me a little. Not because it is a spoken word piece. I have one of those on my upcoming album. And Tiptoe is SO well written that even though the content bothers me (abortion), it goes through my head.

I love Ani for her lyrics. Her voice. Her guitar chops. Her ability to say what she wants to say and say it so damn well.

Here's a few tidbits of lyrics/songs I love from this album. A shout out to Danah, who I don't know at all, but whose Ani lyrics site is my constant source of wisdom. Some of these tidbits I have used as my quote of the day before and some I might use in the future.

03. cradle and all : maybe i'll live my whole life • just getting by • maybe i'll be discovered • maybe i'll be colonized •you could try to train me like a pet • you could try to teach me to behave • but i'll tell you, if i haven't learned it yet • i ain't gonna sit • i ain't gonna stay

04. shy : i've got a dream with your face in it • that scares me awake •
i put too much on my table • and now i got too much a stake...
the door opens, the room winces • the housekeeper comes in without a warning
• i squint at the muscular motel light • and say, hey good morning • as she jumps, her keys jingle • and she leaves as quickly as she came in • i roll over and taste the pillow with my grin

05. sorry i am : i guess i never loved you quite as well • as the way you loved me • i guess i'll never really be able to tell you how sorry i am

06. light of some kind : but no one ever asked me if i thought i could be 
everything to someone • there's a crowd of people harbored in every person •
there are so many roles that we play • and you've decided to love me for eternity • i'm still deciding who i want to be today

07. not a pretty girl : i am not a pretty girl • that is not what i do • i ain't no damsel in distress • and i don't need to be rescued • so put me down punk • maybe you'd prefer a maiden fair • isn't there a kitten stuck up a tree somewhere...
and generally my generation • wouldn't be caught dead working for the man
• and generally i agree with them • trouble is you gotta have yourself an alternate plan • and i have earned my disillusionment • i have been working all of my life • and i am a patriot • i have been fighting the good fight • and what if there are no damsels in distress • what if i knew that and i called your bluff? • don't you think every kitten figures out how to get down • whether or not you ever show up

08. the million you never made : and you can dangle your carrot • but i ain't gonna reach for it • cuz i need both my hands • to play my guitar • and life is a sleazy stranger • who looks vaguely familiar • flirting with a bimbo named disaster • at the end of the bar • and i am telling you that i am different  • than you are

09. hour follows hour : hour follows hour like water in a river • and from one to the next • we don't know what each hour will deliver • we just call it like we see it
• call it out loud as we can • and then afterwards we call it all water over the dam

10. 32 flavors : and god help you if you are an ugly girl • course too pretty is also your doom • cause everyone harbors a secret hatred • for the prettiest girl in the room • and god help you if you are a phoenix • and you dare to rise up from the ash • a thousand eyes will smolder with jealousy • while you are just flying past

11. asking too much : Please link and read the whole song. I can't pick one or two quotes.

12. this bouquet : got a garden of songs where i grow all my thoughts • wish i could harvest one or two for some small talk • i'm always starving for words when you're around

13. crime for crime : you might be the wrong color • you might be too poor • justice isn't something just anyone can afford • you might not pull the trigger • you might be out in the car • and you might get a lethal injection • 'cause we take a metaphor that far

14. coming up : i lower my eyes • wishing i could cry more • and care less,
yes it's true, • i was trying to love someone again, • i was caught caring, • bearing weight

Thanks for reading...

Posted by kristen at June 23, 2004 02:31 PM | TrackBack