Binary
Ani DiFranco · 2017
49 min · 11 tracks · folk rock
A vibrant blend of folk rock and introspective lyrics, exploring personal and societal themes with DiFranco's signature rawness.
Top tracks — play these first
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Binary Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's exploration of duality and choice, merging catchy melodies with thought-provoking lyrics about identity and existence.
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Pacifist's Lament — This track stands out for its poignant critique of conflict and morality, blending vivid imagery with a compelling narrative that highlights DiFranco's storytelling prowess.
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Play God — In 'Play God', DiFranco confronts the complexities of power dynamics in relationships, employing sharp lyrical wit to provoke thought on authority and agency.
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Sasquatch — This song uses metaphorical language to explore themes of presence and absence, offering a uniquely personal perspective that resonates throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends introspective lyrics with varied musical arrangements, showcasing DiFranco's distinctive style.
What we noticed
- The first track features a steady acoustic guitar riff that sets a reflective tone, while the second track introduces a more rhythmic strumming pattern.
- Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- The album's final track employs a gradual fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of contemplation as it concludes.
- 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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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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 progression with resolution
- introspective moments of reflection
- thought-provoking lyrical depth
- engaging storytelling through sound
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- avoid longer listening commitments
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Showcases DiFranco's continued relevance and engagement with contemporary issues.
- Career context
- Released in June 2017, Binary is Ani DiFranco's twentieth studio album, following her 2014 release, Allergic to Water. At this point in her career, DiFranco continued to assert her independence as both an artist and a political voice, having built a substantial discography that reflects her evolution over the decades.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dar Williams· Tori Amos· Michelle Shocked
Tracklist
- 1 Binary Start here 4:22
- 2 Pacifist's Lament 5:55
- 3 Zizzing 5:56
- 4 Play God 4:53
- 5 Alrighty 3:15
- 6 Telepathic 3:12
- 7 Even More 4:08
- 8 Spider 3:53
- 9 Sasquatch 5:46
- 10 Terrifying Sight 5:14
- 11 Deferred Gratification 3:05
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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