To the Teeth - DiFranco, Ani (CD 1999)

I bought To the Teeth soon after its release and fell in love with its original melodies and stunning lyrics. I already had a few of Ani's other albums, but this is the one that made me want to complete my collection and buy the rest.

I heard about the recent elementary school shooting, and I couldn't help but think of the title track on this CD; Ani's lyrics are often politically charged, but this one goes further and is all the more powerful in the wake of such a tragedy. Ani begins by declaring that people "confuse liberty with weaponry and watch [their] kids act it out." As the emotional track continues, Ani blasts Hollywood, TV, and the pro-gun lobby for allowing such violence to continue. She concludes by stating that if such foolishness continues, she's "gonna move to Canada" and "die of old age." In a time when even a seven year old will deliberately take another human's life, is anyone really safe? "To the Teeth" will make you wonder. The melody seems to be the second priority on much this track, but that allows the lyrics to be the listener's main focus. Once the lyrics end, the song continues for a couple minutes with some gorgeous instrumentals.

Don't think this is the high point of the cd, though.

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Other highlights:
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The pessimistic "Wish I May" has a driving melody and some interesting guitars and vocals. The lyrics are excellent...

"Freakshow," one of the weirdest songs but also one of the most interesting, seems to refer to the hectic but rewarding life of a touring musician. On the surface, the song's about circus life, but if you really think about it, isn't that what a travelling musician's life is like, as well? Be prepared for some repetitive refrains on this song, but don't let that deter you from listening to it...

"Hello Birmingham" is one of the most touching songs on the CD; Ani offers her sympathy to those who are struggling with the pro-life movement's attempts to outlaw abortion. She points out the movement's hypocrisy by telling the story of a doctor being assassinated for his willingness to perform abortions. "The blood ran off the pulpit, and the blood ran down the picket line..." She criticizes the right wing extremists for their tendency to use God to justify violent acts.

"Back Back Back" has an interesting melody and some excellent instrumentals. The attitude of the lyrics seems to be the opposite of "Wish I May"; Ani criticizes those who are constantly bitter.

Musically, "Swing" is by far the best track on the CD. The mix of instrumentals is excellent and the song has a nice tempo. Guest musician Maceo Parker's superb horn-playing brilliantly adds to the mix. I'm not sure I get the purpose of the little hip-hip-rap part at the end, but it's kind of cool. :-)

"The Arrivals Gate" is another weird one; Ani describes the enjoyment of sitting at the arrivals gate and watching people reunite with each other. The lyrics are touching, and the song seems peculiarly happy. It takes takes a weird turn about halfway through, though, when the melody gets eerie and the lyrics turn rather dark; the once happy airport suddenly gets referred to as a form of purgatory. I'm not sure where Ani's going with this part of the song, but it's interesting.

"Providence" is a gorgeous song; the Artist (you know, the one formerly known as Prince) loans his high-pitched, eerie vocals to the driving instrumentals. You'll get lost in the odd but beautiful harmonies.

Other tracks include: "Soft Shoulder," "Going Once," "Carry You Around," "Cloud Blood," and "I Know This Bar."

My suggestion to you: the very first time you listen to this album, listen with the lyrics in front of you (they are in the liner notes, as with all of Ani's albums). It makes for a much stronger experience; Ani is an incredible lyricist and you don't really get the full effect of her music unless you know what she's saying.