Not So Soft
Ani DiFranco · 1991
48 min · 14 tracks · folk rock
Intimate folk rock melodies intertwine with poignant lyrics, reflecting personal struggles and societal observations with raw honesty.
Top tracks — play these first
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Anticipate Start here — The opening track sets the tone with its delicate guitar work and introspective lyrics that explore themes of longing and expectation.
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Rockabye — This song captures the complexities of motherhood and personal sacrifice, highlighting DiFranco's ability to weave emotional depth into her storytelling.
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She Says — With its conversational style, this track delves into the nuances of female experience and relationships, showcasing DiFranco's keen observational skills.
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The Next Big Thing — A critique of commercialism in the music industry, this track reveals DiFranco's sharp wit and political awareness while maintaining her signature folk sound.
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 unique structures but lacks some cohesion in its flow.
What we noticed
- Several songs employ unconventional song structures, often shifting between different tempos and moods within the same track.
- Lyrically, the album addresses personal and societal themes with a directness that invites listener reflection.
- 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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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
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 moments
- introspective empowerment through lyrics
- background for thoughtful conversations
- engaging sing-alongs with friends
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek high-energy party music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Helped establish Ani DiFranco's unique voice in the indie folk scene.
- Career context
- Released on November 1, 1991, Not So Soft is Ani DiFranco's second studio album, following her self-titled debut. At this time, she was establishing her identity as a fiercely independent artist and gaining traction within the underground music scene. This album solidified her reputation for blending personal narratives with social commentary.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dar Williams· Tori Amos· Michelle Shocked
Tracklist
- 1 Anticipate Start here 3:20
- 2 Rockabye 4:32
- 3 She Says 3:36
- 4 Make Me Stay 3:10
- 5 On Every Corner 4:19
- 6 Small World 3:33
- 7 Not So Soft 2:00
- 8 Roll With It 3:47
- 9 Itch 3:01
- 10 Gratitude 3:13
- 11 The Whole Night 2:47
- 12 The Next Big Thing 3:40
- 13 Brief Bus Stop 3:40
- 14 Looking for the Holes 3:32
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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