If you don't have Ani DiFranco's music in your playlist, you're missing out on one righteous babe.
Born Angela Maria DiFranco in Buffalo, New York on September 23, 1970, Ani is unlike any other artist. She's political, an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, a poet, a pioneer, and she writes and performs awesome music. At age 18, she became one of the first independent musicians to create her own record label, Righteous Babe, and since has produced albums for a variety of artists. To label her as a folk artist is inaccurate. Part folk, alternative, jazz, punk, funk and hip hop DiFranco's music crosses genres. Her clever and raw lyrics mixed with the quality of her musical performances are what make Ani so special. If you haven't given her a listen, we're certain after a few samples, you'll want to hear more. 
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Buildings and Bridges is from Ani DiFranco's fifth studio album, Out of Range (1994). Though the album wasn't as commercially-successful as some of her others, it's one of our favorites. Buildings and Bridges is about being able to adapt in the face of difficult times because, as Ani says, what doesn't bend breaks.
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Shameless is from Ani DiFranco's seventh album, Dilate. Released in 1996, Dilate is her highest-selling and most critically-acclaimed album. Written by DiFranco, Shameless is about coveting another man's wife. She has performed it live multiple times and has been applauded for openly discussing bisexuality during a time when that wasn't done.
SONG OF THE wednesDAY
O.K. is from Ani DiFranco's eleventh studio album, Revelling/Reckoning (2001). Your Next Bold Move, the lead track of Reckoning, was used in GASCD, a 2002 political compilation. Peaking at No. 50 on US Billboard 200, there are several great songs on this double album, but O.K. is more than just okay. It's one of our favorites.
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Written by Ani DiFranco and originally released on her 1995 album, Not a Pretty Girl, 32 Flavors is one of our favorite Ani songs. A pun on Baskin-Robbins’s slogan “31 flavors”, it was used in a 1999 NFL commercial and was covered by Alana Davis on her debut album, Blame it on Me (1997). Her version of the song peaked at No. 37 on Billboard Hot 100.
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Deep Dish is from Ani DiFranco's eighth studio album, Little Plastic Castle. Released in 1998, it is her highest-charting album, reaching No. 22 on Billboard Top 200. There are several great jams on Little Plastic Castle, but we chose Deep Dish because of the upbeat tempo and awesome use of horns. It's a perfect way to welcome Friday.
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Both Hands is from Ani DiFranco's debut album, Ani DiFranco. The album was recorded in September 1990 and was the first Righteous Babe release. We like most songs on the album, but Both Hands stands out as a touching ballad that showcases Ani's softer side. We also like the live version of the song from her 1997 album, Living In Clip.
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Up Up Up Up Up Up is the title track for Ani DiFranco's ninth studio album, Up Up Up Up Up Up. Released in 1999, the album landed at No. 29 on US Billboard 200, and the song Jukebox earned a Grammy nomination for Female Rock Vocal Performance. We think the song, Up Up Up Up Up Up is one of the best on an album full of bests.
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Fire Door was originally included on Ani DiFranco's debut album, Ani DiFranco. Though we like the original, we prefer the live version from her 1997 album, Living In Clip. Rolling Stone named that album one of the Essential Recordings of the 90s. Fire Door's sporadic guitar, upbeat tempo, and poetic lyrics make the song one of the best on the album.
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Bliss Like This is from Ani DiFranco’s thirteenth studio album, Educated Guess (2004). The album was recorded alone at her homes in Buffalo and in New Orleans and has more jazz elements than some of her previous work. We especially like the song, Bliss Like This because of the fun-loving lyrics and the swanky vibe of the music.
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Back Back Back is from Ani DiFranco's tenth album, To the Teeth. Released in 1999, it is a tad more political than some of her other work. The album addresses topics like America's gun culture and the Columbine massacre. The music fuses jazz, funk, and folk, and Back Back Back is an ode to self-reflection and a call to denounce anger.
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Originally from Ani DiFranco's second studio album, Not So Soft (1991), Gratitude is a song about the harassment that women endure, even from so-called-friends. The song is one of Ani's most popular for live performances, and the version from So Much Shouting So Much Laughter (2002), Ani's second live album, is our favorite.
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Napoleon is from Ani DiFranco's album, Dilate (1996). Slant Magazine ranked Dilate as one of the best albums of the 1990s. Napoleon is a passionate song about, in our opinion, the music industry. Ani created her record label, Righteous Babe, and has maintained complete artistic control over her work. It is one of the things we respect most about this artist.
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First recorded by Dionne Warwick in 1962, Wishin' and Hopin' was written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach. It became a hit for Dusty Springfield in 1964. Ani DiFranco recorded a version for the 1997 movie, My Best Friend's Wedding that, along with the Austin Powers movies, led to renewed popularity of Bacharach-David music.
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Hell Yeah is from Ani DiFranco's 1994 album, Out of Range. The song is about being too afraid to tell someone that you like them. The lyrics are beautiful, quirky, and unique, and Hell Yeah is ranked in the top five on our list of most poetic songs. Not surprising seeing as Out of Range is among our top five most poetic albums.
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If you have never heard of Indigo Girls, turn off the stuff you’re listening to right now and listen up. When it comes to powerful, poetic, emotion-evoking lyrics, unequivocal harmony and mouth-dropping musical solos, Indigo Girls are Gods. Though Amy Ray and Emily Saliers first met in elementary school in Georgia, they didn’t become friends until high school, but it wasn’t until they attended Emory University that the two began seriously performing together. They self-produced their first album, "Strange Fire" in 1987, which Epic Records re-released in 1989. To date, they have produced 13 studio albums, four live albums and several compilations. Indigo Girls are political and environmental activists, amazing live entertainers, and their music eclipses time. Be warned: They are deep. But, if you're looking for some inspiration for self reflection, there is no better music to listen to than Indigo Girls. If you haven’t had time to give Indigo Girls a listen, here are 14 amazing songs you’re missing. 9 Great Indigo Girls' Songs 1. Least Complicated From the Swamp Ophelia album, Least Complicated is classic Indigo Girls. From the start of the song, the listener is put at ease with the casual rhythm, but the song soon picks up and swells into a full on toe-tapper. With thoughtful and catchy lyrics you can’t help but sing along as you're cruising on the highway to unknown and exciting destinations. 2. Galileo Released in 1992, Galileo is from the Rites of Passage album and is the first Indigo Girls' song to break the top ten of any chart. The song is about reincarnation partially through the lense of Galileo, the 17th century physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher. If you've ever felt off, out of place, or downright awkward about life, you need to give Galileo a listen. You're guaranteed to feel a whole lot better, even inspired, by the end of this catchy and inspirational tune. 3. Thin Line If you have ever felt insecure in your life give Thin Line from the 1200 Curfews album a listen. The harmony is amazing, the lyrics are inspirational, and the musical break is symbolic of just how good Indigo Girls are when they jam. 4. Closer to Fine From their second album, Indigo Girls, Closer to Fine is one of Vinyl's favorite Indigo Girls' songs, and it's tops when it comes to choosing a tune that makes us feel inspired. The song is basically about living life to the fullest and is one of their most popular songs. 5. Fill It Up Again Fill It Up Again is from the All That We Let In album and is another Indigo Girls' toe-tapper. About leaving a bad relationship (we think), this song is catchy and has amazing harmony, as usual, which makes it a choice song to sing along to while driving or cleaning your house. 6. You and Me of the 10,000 Wars From the Nomads Indians Saints album, You and Me of the 10,000 Wars is a great example of just how poetic Indigo Girls' songs are. Just give it a listen, and you'll agree that these girls really know how to tell a story. 7. Land of Canaan This live version of Land of Canaan from the 1200 Curfews album is a rockin' interpretation of a great song. Amy Ray sings this tune, as well as any other, with passion and energy, and the song is a great metaphor for a broken relationship. 8. Ghost If you like to get goose bumps while listening to a song then give Ghost from the Rites of Passage album a listen. The lyrics are beautiful, and Emily Saliers sings this song like an angel. The live version on 1200 Curfews is also an excellent version of the song. 9. Language or the Kiss
Another great song from the Swamp Ophelia album, Language or the Kiss is pure poetry. Relaxing, reflective, and beautiful this is a great song to listen to on a rainy Saturday or any other day when you feel like hearing a song with a deeper lyrics broken up by inspirational instrumental breaks.  Tegan and Sara are a Canadian indie band from Calgary. Composed of identical twin sisters, Tegan and Sara were originally named Plunk before changing to Sara and Tegan and then again to Tegan and Sara because it was easier to pronounce and they wanted to separate themselves from all the other "Sara" musicians in the world. Tegan and Sara recorded their first demo album in 1997 in their high school's recording studio. In 1998 they won the Calgary's Garage Warz competition. They caught the attention of Neil Young's manager, Elliot Roberts who signed the duo to Vapor Records. Since then they have released six studio albums. According to their website, Tegan and Sara began recording their 7th studio album in February of this year. What makes Tegan and Sara's music so interesting is that their songs all sound different. The only thing that distinguishes a Tegan and Sara song is their voices. Musically they offer a range of sounds. Although their lyrics aren't overly political, there's something thought-provoking about their music. It's hard to pinpoint one specific song you should sample to get a feel for their music. We'd recommend a variety of songs from The Con, So Jealous, and Under Feet Like Ours. If you're feeling adventurous and want to jump in feet first try The Complete Recollection (1999-2010). Where Does The Good Go Downtown Call It Off Take Me Anywhere
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