WhatzUp

So Much Shouting So Much Laughter
Ani DiFranco
by RatMonkey

There is not a single category that this double live set even comes close to fitting into. So Much Shouting So Much Laughter contains more than two hours of funky-rock-folk, hip-thrusting, head-bumping good times that transcend all genres.

Originally I had reservations concerning this new album. Just five years ago DiFranco released a two-disc live album Living in Clip. Also leading to my reluctance was the fact that “Letter to a John,” “Napoleon” and “32 Flavors” are featured on both live albums. It took about 15 seconds into the first track, “Swan Dive,” for every worry I had to melt into a gigantic smile on my face. The groove her band set up was amazing. Difranco is an incredible live artist who is constantly evolving. With each passing track it became clearer that the magic of seeing Ani DiFranco live had been captured to CD.

So Much Shouting So Much Laughter captures the energy and improvisation of the six-piece band Difranco toured with between September of 2000 and April of 2002. What began in 1990 with one little folk singer rocking out on an acoustic guitar has risen to quite an impressive musical force. To give readers a bit of a back-story, Difranco has always been fiercely independent. Although sought after by quite a few major record labels she always wanted control of her music/career. Adopting the punk rock “do it yourself” attitude she created her own Righteous Babe Records. Constant touring mixed with albums being released every 10 months has led Righteous Babe Records to grow into something that the major labels fear; strong original music with a rabid fan base and no suit and tie involvement.

Old tunes such as “Cradle & All” find new heights with fresh arrangements that feature horns over a thick rhythm section. The fans nearly overpower the band on “To The Teeth,” but instead of depleting the music the screams only add to the intensity. Subtle changes make “Not A Pretty Girl” seem brand new. Missing from the album is the anger that once drove Difranco’s voice. The rage has been replaced with depth and soul. This might be shown best in the ache of “Gratitude.” One of the new tracks, “Self Evident,” which was written after September 11, begins as a rant and climaxes as one of the most powerful remembrances to emerge since the tragedy.

For new recruits to the Righteous Babe army, So Much Shouting So Much Laughter offers a tasty sampler of Difranco ‘s career, while die-hards will find pleasure with the three new tunes and 20 variations of her classics.