From traditional folkie tunes to acapellas, Ani's CD Imperfectly runs the musical gamut while creating a unified front. A great example of how Ani creates an ironic dynamic balance. This album truly challenges the listener to question everything in life all the while giving them some great ear candy.

The album starts out with "What if No One's Watching" which showcases her political stance and geniously asks the question; "what if god ain't looking down
what if he's looking up instead" She continues the political theme in "Fixing her Hair" with the lines "and so she sits there like america suffering through slow reform." She follows up with one of my all time favorite songs "In Or Out," a true feminist anthem proudly proclaiming "i say, it's mr. difranco to you." Ani conintues on with her a capella hit, "Every State Line," a bold revolt against authority. Other favorites on this disc include "Coming Up," a poem crying out against corporate capitalism and "Good Bad Ugly," an excellent acoustice hit that slaps you right in the face.

And if it isn't just like Ani to give us a bunch of well-thought-out-less-than-traditional-Ani-songs and to follow it all up with the big hit of the album. What other artist leaves the title track for last? Not too many. Ani ends the CD with one of the "Anifan" anthems "imperfectly." So in the final words of Ani

"when you're pretty as a picture
they pound down your door
but i've been offered love
in two dimensions before
and i know that it's not all
it's made out to be
let's show them how it's done
let's do it all imperfectly"

Track List imperfectly(1992)
what if no one's watching
fixing her hair
in or out
every state line
circle of light
if it isn't her
good, bad, ugly
i'm no heroine
coming up
make them apologize
the waiting song
served faithfully
imperfectly

This disc is a must have for die hard fans with its grassroots poltical stances and its folk like acoustic bellowings. Also a great place for new Ani fans to start to get a feel for what she is all about. If that doesn't sell you on the album, the guest appearances by Maceo Parker and Corey Parker (De La Soul, Jane's Addiction), as well as an appearance by the artist formerly known as Prince, has to be enough to convince you.






Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Cleaning the House