Allergic To Water
Ani DiFranco · 2014
49 min · 12 tracks · folk rock
A contemplative blend of folk rock, steeped in personal introspection and laced with sharp societal observations.
Top tracks — play these first
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Dithering Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Allergic to Water — The title track encapsulates the album's essence, blending intricate guitar work with lyrics that explore themes of emotional barriers and self-doubt.
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Woe Be Gone — This track features poignant reflections on past relationships and personal growth, showcasing DiFranco's signature confessional songwriting style.
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Careless Words — With its catchy melody and insightful lyrics, this song critiques the impact of thoughtless communication in relationships, highlighting DiFranco's lyrical sharpness.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong lyrical content and varied musical dynamics, contributing to its cohesive feel.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- Many tracks utilize a conversational vocal style, with lyrics that blend personal narrative and social commentary.
- Several songs incorporate intricate guitar work, with fingerpicking patterns that create a layered texture beneath the vocals.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo reflective journey
- introspective lyrics for personal growth
- candid observations on everyday life
- for rainy afternoons
Maybe skip if you
- seek high-energy party tracks
- prefer instant gratification music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality after a hiatus, maintaining lyrical depth and cohesion.
- Career context
- Released on November 4, 2014, Allergic to Water marks Ani DiFranco's return after a three-year hiatus following her album, Which Side Are You On? This period was significant as DiFranco had just launched her own label, Righteous Babe Records, further asserting her independence in the music industry. The album showcases a mature reflection on life experiences and relationships, highlighting her evolution as an artist.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dar Williams· Tori Amos· Michelle Shocked
Tracklist
- 1 Dithering Start here 5:04
- 2 See See See See 3:43
- 3 Woe Be Gone 4:01
- 4 Careless Words 5:10
- 5 Allergic to Water 3:45
- 6 Harder Than It Needs to Be 4:57
- 7 Genie 5:17
- 8 Happy All the Time 3:54
- 9 Yeah Yr Right 4:07
- 10 Tr’w 2:46
- 11 Still My Heart 3:49
- 12 Rainy Parade 3:13
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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