To the Teeth - DiFranco, Ani (CD 1999)

I don't think anyone can go away to college and not hear about Ani Difranco. My first exposures to this gal's tunes were through a neighbor of mine. At the time I wasn't impressed... but as i got hungry for something new and different--something that the DJ's of the world weren't going to destroy overnight, I decided to download a few songs and give them a listen. Then, about a week ago when, I was on a long road trip needing some new tunes, I stopped at a store and low and behold To The Teeth was staring me in the face. I couldn't resist, and I wasn't disappointed!

To The Teeth is a song that is Ani's reaction to all these school shootings. Her anger with all the publicity and all the violence among our youth comes out in a melodic and peaceful rage. "And if I hear one more time about a fool's right to his tools of rage I'm gonna take all my friends and I'm gonna move to Canada, and we're gonna die of old age"

Soft Shoulder is describing the love of love letters, and how the little things are most important.

Wish I May is one of my favorite 3 songs on this album. The refrain is catchy and the song has a lot of meaning to me. It's about guilty desire, and being able to push it to the back of your mind for a while."I am spinning with longing, faster than a roulette wheel, this is not who I meant to be, this is not how I meant to feel"

Freakshow is one of the wackier songs on this album in terms of musicality, but it is classic Ani. The meaning I take out of this is that the grass is always greener on the other side... but it this case it's the other side of the circus.

Going Once is about a girl going off on her own when she should have listened to her friends. I think we all can relate. I've certainly had my share of friends that haven't been in a clear state of mind and haven't been willing to see things from the other direction.

Hello Birmingham is a reflection of the hate and violence that has happened in the past And I can only assume she is talking about Birmingham, Alabama.

Back Back Back has got to be my absolute favorite song on this album! It's catchy and so true too! It tells of a bitter young man who needs to get some happiness in his life before he stays that way and become a bitter old man. "Back back back, in the back of your mind are you learning an angry language, tell me boy boy boy are you tending to your joy or are you just letting it vanquish?" The melody to this song is addicting and sticks in my head all too easy and often.

Swing is another of my top 3. The refrain in this one gets me a singing along with a smile on my face. That is ironic in that it's talking about sadness. I wish I could add sound files into my epinions!!

Carry You Around is a friend carrying another one along on their emotional back. Need I say More? It has a funky beat to it-Make you wanna mooovve.

Cloud Blood seems to be about reflection of what happened in a relationship. Kind of like when you go over things in your head over and over.

The Arrivals Gate is a moment of people watching. People watching at the airport when you see people unite again after a time of being apart. It's not something we think about often, but it's so true.

Providence is about a former couple meeting again at a party and the awkwardness of it. It's a narrow margin, just enough room for regret in the inch and a half between: Hey, how ya been, and can I kiss you yet." This one has some guest vocals by none other than Prince you can't hear him all that much, but he's definitely in there; you get his essence.

I Know This Bar is a great ending for the album. It looks back at a place where you have had good times in the past, and a place that it's a comfort to return to.

This is my philosophical take of To The Teeth. But the only way to judge it to hear it yourself.