Not a Pretty Girl
Ani DiFranco · 1995
59 min · 15 tracks · folk rock
Folk rock anthems blend confessional lyrics with raw instrumentation, capturing the complexities of identity and feminism.
Top tracks — play these first
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Not a Pretty Girl — This title track encapsulates DiFranco's defiance against societal expectations of femininity, delivering a powerful message of self-acceptance and individuality.
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32 Flavors — In this standout song, DiFranco uses food metaphors to discuss personal identity and the complexity of human experiences, making it a relatable anthem for many.
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Worthy Start here — Opening with a poignant reflection on self-worth, this track sets the tone for the album’s exploration of empowerment and vulnerability.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and performance but has some unevenness in flow.
What we noticed
- DiFranco's vocal delivery often shifts between spoken word and melodic singing, creating a dynamic emotional range.
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, such as abrupt tempo changes and varied verse lengths.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- introspective exploration of identity
- dynamic progression with emotional peaks
- captivating storytelling through melodies
- for reflective moments
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer straightforward, upbeat tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Solidified DiFranco's status in the indie music scene after earlier releases.
- Career context
- Released on July 18, 1995, 'Not a Pretty Girl' marked Ani DiFranco's fifth studio album, solidifying her status as a prominent voice in the indie music scene. Following her breakthrough with 'Little Plastic Castle', this album further explored themes of gender and self-empowerment during a time when female artists were gaining significant visibility in alternative music.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dar Williams· Tori Amos· Michelle Shocked
Tracklist
- 1 Worthy Start here 4:31
- 2 Tiptoe 0:36
- 3 Cradle and All 4:18
- 4 Shy 4:45
- 5 Sorry I Am 4:48
- 6 Light of Some Kind 4:09
- 7 Not a Pretty Girl 3:58
- 8 The Million You Never Made 4:19
- 9 Hour Follows Hour 6:01
- 10 32 Flavors 6:07
- 11 Asking Too Much 2:56
- 12 This Bouquet 2:28
- 13 Crime for Crime 5:42
- 14 Coming Up / Tiptoe (outtakes) 4:25
- 15 [unknown] 0:04
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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