Ani DiFranco - Little Plastic Castle (CD 1998)

Little Plastic Castle is Ani at her best. Most of the songs on this punky folk album are political, or clever digs at the darker side of society - though she does throw in some about the pains of relationships, and about self image. Difranco's vocals have enormous range, being at times melodic and sweet, and at others funky. When she has a point to make, she can spit it out with venom, or wail it with despairing passion. The lyrics are superbly written, and she writes and performs the music herself. You could call her the punk's Alanis Morissette - but Miss M could only dream of being this edgy.