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Ani DiFranco — As Is
Album: Little Plastic Castle
Avg rating:
5.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 925









Released: 1998
Length: 4:02
Plays (last 30 days): 0
you can't hide
behind social graces
so don't try
to be all touchy feely
cuz you lie
in my face of all places
but i've got no
problem with that really

what bugs me
is that you believe what you're saying
what bothers me
is that you don't know how you feel
what scares me
is that while you're telling me stories
you actually
believe that they are real

and i've got
no illusions about you
and guess what?
i never did
and when i said
when i said i'll take it
i meant,
i meant as is

just give up
and admit you're an asshole
you would be
in some good company
i think you'd find
that you friends would forgive you
or maybe i
am just speaking for me

cuz when i look around
i think this, this is good enough
and i try to laugh
at whatever life brings
cuz when i look down
i just miss all the good stuff
when i look up
i just trip over things

and i've got
no illusions about you...

you can't hide
behind social graces
cuz i don't buy it
like everyone else
and you can lie
in my face of all places
just don't
lie to yourself

cuz i've got
no illusions about you
and guess what?
i never did
and when i say
when i say i'll take it
i mean,
i mean as is...

...as is...
Comments (237)add comment
She's a genius - she did it her way the whole way.  She told the music industry to FO and created her own label.  If you don't like her music, I would respectfully suggest that it is over your head.  Read the lyrics and listen.  She's an amazing song writer and while I wouldn't drive 200 miles to see her, I would respect anyone that did.
"Recoil" made me an Ani fan
My favorite Ani album. Great memories of a 26 hour 19 year old road trip with my to be first wife, with no plans. Just a bunch of cigarettes and one of the best times of life.
This album makes me miss 1998.
 Lonestar wrote:
The album cover doesn't help the credibility of the artist which is sorely needed. 
 
I'll bet she's really upset that the cover of her eighth album doesn't help her credibility which you think is sorely needed
N O .
I wouldn't say that I'm a fan of Ani's music, yet somewhere along the line I rated this one an 8, maybe it's the deeply personal lyrics....that must be it....Long Live RP!!
And maybe this will remind me to listen a bit closer when her tunes come up in rotation....I could be missing other songs I like more than I think.
 RabbitEars wrote:
I completely understand why people have an averse reaction to Ani. She's got an in-your-face commentary style, and her vocal style is unusual. I think of her singing as very percussive - developed playing bars and coffee shops on her own and filling in for no rhythm section. I do find it tiresome at times. But... 

My first experience of her was in a small club - I went with some friends and had never heard her before. I'd never seen anyone with her level of dynamism and passion. She really blew the roof off the place. And it was weird - all the teen/20-something devoted followers dressed like her. But I'll always respect Ani as a performer. She's a great songwriter, has a very unique playing style, and puts on a good show. 
 
I love her music, but agree with you - she is very good as a live performer. And now all those 20-something fans are 40-something fans and still singing along with every song.  I staffed a table for Amnesty International at her show in San Francisco last fall, which was well-received by her fans. 
I completely understand why people have an averse reaction to Ani. She's got an in-your-face commentary style, and her vocal style is unusual. I think of her singing as very percussive - developed playing bars and coffee shops on her own and filling in for no rhythm section. I do find it tiresome at times. But... 

My first experience of her was in a small club - I went with some friends and had never heard her before. I'd never seen anyone with her level of dynamism and passion. She really blew the roof off the place. And it was weird - all the teen/20-something devoted followers dressed like her. But I'll always respect Ani as a performer. She's a great songwriter, has a very unique playing style, and puts on a good show. 
 DanO-1 wrote:


'morning
 
Yup. Thought of Meaning of Life right away.

But the song is tediously boring imo.
a hint of Missy Higgins
Awful vocalisation.  Please remove from play liat. This almost makes Tom Waits sound good.
 
Would you like fries with that ?
Eew.
AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!! Where is that button!!!!!
 o_unico wrote:
I just logged my account to say how crappy her voice is. 1.{#Grumpy}
  Hey, don't insult crap like that, please.


Ani DiFranco, pardon me, should go stick her head up a sow's derriere. My bad attitude goes back to the worst concert experience of my life. I got tix to see Maceo Parker at some outdoor venue at a golf course.. Little did I know that since the last time I saw Maceo (in a cool funky roadhouse) he had formed some sort of unholy liaison with Ms DiFranco and the concert had attracted about 300,000 of her pallid, feckless hippie fans.  I sure as hell hadn't bargained for any whiney white women, I just wanted to see Maceo and hear the horns. There was one road in and one single-lane  driveway entering the place and the traffic was at crawl speed for, honest, 20 miles from the venue. I sat crawling until over an hour after the posted start of the show and turned around and went home. Like $90 out the window, a funkless and enraged evening. Thanks, Ani DiFranco!


Followed up today by Dylan's "Tangled Up in Blue" —- unusual vocal styles for each, but I'll take Bob any day of the week!
I just logged my account to say how crappy her voice is. 1.{#Grumpy}

 aspicer wrote:
Wow you guys are BRUTAL here?!  Ani is an incredible musician and worthy of some serious respect people.  This album in particular is amazing.  Let's expand those minds RP fans!!!
 

It's actually a good song.....great lyrics...
Wow you guys are BRUTAL here?!  Ani is an incredible musician and worthy of some serious respect people.  This album in particular is amazing.  Let's expand those minds RP fans!!!
ohnoes!! the "assez assez" song.

Great song. Great album. Great singer. Great songwriter. Thanks, Bill!
shut.up.please.
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Her affected self-aware singing style is really irritating.
 
I prefer the way you stated it, much better than mine.
I love her writing style and the bands musical ability. Hate her voice.

 slartibart_O wrote:

 

'morning
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Her affected self-aware singing style is really irritating.
 
wow, that is a brilliant and accurate way of putting it.  thank you.

Her affected self-aware singing style is really irritating.
Would someone get her a glass of water?
 fredriley wrote:
Oh, what bugs me is that she believes what she's singing. She's so metalfittin' twee and self-regarding. Her songs would be good on the Friends soundtrack, as I suspect that those who like Friends would go a bundle on Difranco. They just feel the same to me, middle-class metropolitan post-modern angst. Which is fine if you're middle class with metropolitan angst and weltschmertz (hey, I read the posh papers too :o)), but intensely irritating to the unsophisticated belt-and-braces Nottingham jury, who award a 2 before the blessed relief of the mute key.
 

TRUTH TO ME -    RIGHT SAID FRED  !   {#Roflol}
The album cover doesn't help the credibility of the artist which is sorely needed. 
fuck you all....i like this song.

okay, maybe that's harsh, but really i could care less what she's singing about. i like her music. she can play a guitar like it's nobody's business. saw her at the Edmonton Fold Festival....freshly tuned guitar for every song...that's all i need.
I gave this a 4?  What was I thinking?  4->1.
please.
please.
Make it stop. 
 fredriley wrote:
Oh, what bugs me is that she believes what she's singing. She's so metalfittin' twee and self-regarding. Her songs would be good on the Friends soundtrack, as I suspect that those who like Friends would go a bundle on Difranco. They just feel the same to me, middle-class metropolitan post-modern angst. Which is fine if you're middle class with metropolitan angst and weltschmertz (hey, I read the posh papers too :o)), but intensely irritating to the unsophisticated belt-and-braces Nottingham jury, who award a 2 before the blessed relief of the mute key.
 
Ha! Laugh out loud Fred. 

"unsophisticated belt-and-braces Nottingham jury"? I seriously doubt your unsophisticated label and indeed that you actually wear both belt AND braces. 

Whatever. . . another fine comment, thank you.

The tune? . . . Mumbly old bint. 3 at most. 
"Ani Distinko"
 Hannio wrote:
The poor woman.  When did she suffer a stroke?
 
Some support. . . I got dragged along to see her live. . .2002 maybe?  (hadn't heard of her before) and wondered the same thing - not a fan of her brand of mumble.

THANKS SO MUCH for playing this BILL!!!!! I love Ani and all her wisdom.{#Heartkiss}
Thank you! I love this song and Ani DiFranco and would love to hear more of her on Radio Paradise. {#Roflol}
 Sloggydog wrote:
It always surprises me that RP listeners, or the ones who comment, seem to really dislike anyone who actually has something meaningful to say.
 
You plainly don't read enough comments, then. Yer woman has plenty to say, all right, but it's about herself and her minor travails and 'relationship issues'. If she were saying anything with import beyond her own self-regarding world she might be worth listening to. Don't underestimate the discrimination of RP listeners, who can appreciate a 'message' as well as any other body of listeners.

Oh, what bugs me is that she believes what she's singing. She's so metalfittin' twee and self-regarding. Her songs would be good on the Friends soundtrack, as I suspect that those who like Friends would go a bundle on Difranco. They just feel the same to me, middle-class metropolitan post-modern angst. Which is fine if you're middle class with metropolitan angst and weltschmertz (hey, I read the posh papers too :o)), but intensely irritating to the unsophisticated belt-and-braces Nottingham jury, who award a 2 before the blessed relief of the mute key.
"When I look down I miss all the good stuff...When I look up I trip over things"-priceless!
It always surprises me that RP listeners, or the ones who comment, seem to really dislike anyone who actually has something meaningful to say.
 Hannio wrote:
The poor woman.  When did she suffer a stroke?
 

i know...that chorus is horrible. does she have something wrong with her?
{#Puke}
 Ulises wrote:

As an aside, after reading some of your other comments, thanks for reminding me of why I left the little state of Tejas.
 

I was wondering why it has been so much better here lately. 
The poor woman.  When did she suffer a stroke?
blech!
 greenighs wrote:
Didn't Ani DiFranco choke on her own smugness a few months ago? I thought I heard she was in rehab for the insufferably hip and self-righteous.
 
I think the same could be said for at least half of bands/musicians or singer/songwriters. "Insufferably hip and self-righteous"...a lot of that going around these days, though in different flavors & forms.
Drives me nuts when all I can hear from the guitar is the fingers sliding along the strings when she's changing chords! Otherwise, a pretty good song.
 redeyespy wrote:
Next you'll say that any non-hallucinagenically engineered Edgar Allen Poe writings were/would've been crap, too.
 
Well, that does go without saying.  But thanks for saying it, anyway.

5 -> 4
This song sung normally= 7
This song sung in this weeeieeeiiirrieeirrd way= 4
I Ani.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Yeah, thanks. The most polite version of stfu I've ever seen.
Nah, nothing of the sort. I really don't care if you want to say negative things about Ani or any other artists. I may disagree with you, but it will be polite. I was just suggesting that you try to change things up a bit. Saying the same thing about an artist over and over till it's actually noticeable that you're doing so is just dull.
Marr wrote:
Not to be too picky, but you've said pretty much the exact same thing before about Ani on at least 4 different occasion (not including today's comments). Always minor variations on the theme of 'Oh how I WISH I like Ani, really really I do...' If her music really bothers you that much maybe you should start muting. Or you could come up with something different to say about her. Just a gentle suggestion from someone who likes the idea of Ani as well as the reality of Ani. And to be fair, I've probably said similarly positive things about Ani on numerous occasions. But I do try to not be too repititious.
Yeah, thanks. The most polite version of stfu I've ever seen.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Oh how I wish I liked Ani DiFranco. I love the idea of her, really. But in practice, not so much. Precious, affected, kindof insufferable.
Not to be too picky, but you've said pretty much the exact same thing before about Ani on at least 4 different occasion (not including today's comments). Always minor variations on the theme of 'Oh how I WISH I like Ani, really really I do...' If her music really bothers you that much maybe you should start muting. Or you could come up with something different to say about her. Just a gentle suggestion from someone who likes the idea of Ani as well as the reality of Ani. And to be fair, I've probably said similarly positive things about Ani on numerous occasions. But I do try to not be too repititious.
alux wrote:
Oh, if only you recognized the irony in your comment, but I doubt we could be so lucky...
You want to get into a smug-off, I'm game. Bring it. No, really, the tone of my post was part of the (poor) humor.
Ulises wrote:
17 years? Damn son, you're a bit slow. As an aside, after reading some of your other comments, thanks for reminding me of why I left the little state of Tejas.
Lived in Alaska myself for four years, with the angry wife, till the paper closed. Miss it sometimes. Alaska, not the ex. And yeah, if not for the kid, I'd have gotten out of that sooner. But there's such a thing as being trapped.
Normally not an Ani fan (usually for the same reasons a lot of others have expressed: too self-rigeous, etc.), but the more often I hear this one the more I really like it. The message rings true, with catchy music too...
For a moment, a long moment I thought she was channeling the BGT's?
Oh how I wish I liked Ani DiFranco. I love the idea of her, really. But in practice, not so much. Precious, affected, kindof insufferable.
Excelsior wrote:
Hmm, this playlist looks pretty familiar!
'Bill' is not a real live person methinks.
Ani. Yes.
Oh, if only you recognized the irony in your comment, but I doubt we could be so lucky... greenighs wrote:
Didn't Ani DiFranco choke on her own smugness a few months ago? I thought I heard she was in rehab for the insufferably hip and self-righteous. Not my least favorite DiFranco song, but pretty close.
I just don't get the appeal. Oh well diffrent strokes.
Didn't Ani DiFranco choke on her own smugness a few months ago? I thought I heard she was in rehab for the insufferably hip and self-righteous. Not my least favorite DiFranco song, but pretty close.
this song always relaxes me
planet_lizard wrote:
We love RP! 11:49 am - Ani Difranco - As Is 11:45 am - The Decemberists - The Crane Wife 3 11:42 am - Jim Bryson - If By the Bridge 11:36 am - Oliver N'Goma - Nge 11:30 am - Chick Corea & Bela Fleck - Brazil 11:26 am - Kate Bush - The Sensual World 11:23 am - Eels - Woman Driving, Man Sleeping 11:18 am - Tori Amos - Crucify 11:14 am - Porcupine Tree - Trains 11:10 am - Southern Culture on the Skids - The Wet Spot 11:07 am - Elvis Costello - Watching The Detectives 11:04 am - Arctic Monkeys - Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured 11:01 am - The Police - Roxanne
Hmm, this playlist looks pretty familiar!
Gryn wrote:
Are you kidding me? Drugs are the best thing that has ever happened to music. The only good Beatles songs were written during their heaviest drug phase. That goes for all the other best songs ever written.
Next you'll say that any non-hallucinagenically engineered Edgar Allen Poe writings were/would've been crap, too.
We love RP! 11:49 am - Ani Difranco - As Is 11:45 am - The Decemberists - The Crane Wife 3 11:42 am - Jim Bryson - If By the Bridge 11:36 am - Oliver N'Goma - Nge 11:30 am - Chick Corea & Bela Fleck - Brazil 11:26 am - Kate Bush - The Sensual World 11:23 am - Eels - Woman Driving, Man Sleeping 11:18 am - Tori Amos - Crucify 11:14 am - Porcupine Tree - Trains 11:10 am - Southern Culture on the Skids - The Wet Spot 11:07 am - Elvis Costello - Watching The Detectives 11:04 am - Arctic Monkeys - Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured 11:01 am - The Police - Roxanne
I like this song a ton....
Great live performer!
mgkiwi wrote:
I just wish she'd stay off the booze before singing!
Are you kidding me? Drugs are the best thing that has ever happened to music. The only good Beatles songs were written during their heaviest drug phase. That goes for all the other best songs ever written.
Gryn wrote:
Possibly the best female musical artist, ever.
I just wish she'd stay off the booze before singing!
Possibly the best female musical artist, ever.
I don't like or have ever liked anything from her...I just can't take it.
...i enjoyed out of range but find most of her music a bit grating...
A favorite of favorites. Saw her live for the first time over the summer. She's fabulous!
DiFranco shouldn't be lumped in with the "angry" shtick pop artists, like Alanis Morissette for example. Take this song - its actually about loving someone faults and all. Its the diametric opposite of anger-shtick music. There's no arguing about taste - if you don't like her unusual style of guitar and voice, that's cool (I happen to love it) but as many other commenters have pointed out, if you give her a careful listen, you will find it is not the music it may superficially appear to be.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Speaking of angry chicks, i was married to one of those for 17 years. That sucked.
17 years? Damn son, you're a bit slow. As an aside, after reading some of your other comments, thanks for reminding me of why I left the little state of Tejas.
mrrmt wrote:
ok, i will repeat this again up here: Once again where are these people getting ANGER from this song? She is singing about loving someone no matter what - as they are. There is no hate or bitterness in this song or really any of ani's songs. There is some anger and dissappointment and frustration in some of her other songs, but to quote the bumper sticker "if you're not angry you're not paying attention." There is also a lot of searching, forgiveness, and joy in Ani's body of work. If people hear ANGER in this song they must really be searching for something that isn't there.
There is a quote somewhere which says something to the affect of "If pay attention with your emotions/heart you will end up angery and disappointed, but if you pay attention with your mind you will end up detached and entertained." (something like that), I am entertained, but I get the sneaky suspicion she is not.
Roverfish wrote:
4.
With the squeaking and mumbling bhay-gn-flay-vn
4.
I just threw up again :( Can't stand that song!!!
Great song, great album, great artist.
Odyzzeuz wrote:
Speaking of angry chicks, i was married to one of those for 17 years. That sucked.
yes, because a song thats about accepting serious flaws in others clearly means youre angry. if youre a chick, that is.
I don't like or have ever liked anything from her...I just can't take it. Only artist I haven't liked on RP for a long time.
None of you naysayers understand....this girl is brilliant. Obviously you have no awareness or choose not to...even if you don't like her singing style, her lyrics are unsurpassed!
Stringsceeting,uch.
Does she talk like she sings?
Speaking of angry chicks, i was married to one of those for 17 years. That sucked.
I had to stop working furiously for a minute to rate this a 2 because that little "eh uh" stuff she does brought my mind to a skid. Don't like it,otherwise song alright.
Ani is a revolutionary, i have so much respect for her
I like dis song called azzes it is, very goood. NOT!
mrrmt wrote:
ok, i will repeat this again up here: Once again where are these people getting ANGER from this song? She is singing about loving someone no matter what - as they are. There is no hate or bitterness in this song or really any of ani's songs. There is some anger and dissappointment and frustration in some of her other songs, but to quote the bumper sticker "if you're not angry you're not paying attention." There is also a lot of searching, forgiveness, and joy in Ani's body of work. If people hear ANGER in this song they must really be searching for something that isn't there.
Wizzuvv_oz wrote:
Or maybe the budgie in the studio thinks the fingers on the strings are another budgie sending a mating call and you're both right. Have to agree that the vocals sound like she is trying too hard.
i'm a complete sucker for a girl with squeaky strings!
bokey wrote:
The guitarist oversprayed the strings with lubricant.His/her fingers are sliding on the string's outer winding.
Or maybe the budgie in the studio thinks the fingers on the strings are another budgie sending a mating call and you're both right. Have to agree that the vocals sound like she is trying too hard.
Daniel_Pittenger wrote:
Why is she always so angry? Is that what angsty self empowerment does? I like some of her stuff, but lyrically and otherwise, I guess it just isn't my thing.
ok, i will repeat this again up here: Once again where are these people getting ANGER from this song? She is singing about loving someone no matter what - as they are. There is no hate or bitterness in this song or really any of ani's songs. There is some anger and dissappointment and frustration in some of her other songs, but to quote the bumper sticker "if you're not angry you're not paying attention." There is also a lot of searching, forgiveness, and joy in Ani's body of work. If people hear ANGER in this song they must really be searching for something that isn't there.
She sounds like Alvin the Chipmunk--albeit angry and taking quaaludes.
In the chorus, the singing sounds really strained, contorted and somehow phony. Overall, I get the impression she's singing from her buzzing mind and not her guts, if that makes sense. Maybe superficial is the right word.
Great groove to this.
Darkmatter wrote:
But why was there a budgie in the studio when she recorded it?
The guitarist oversprayed the strings with lubricant. His/her fingers are sliding on the string's outer winding.
Why is she always so angry? Is that what angsty self empowerment does? I like some of her stuff, but lyrically and otherwise, I guess it just isn't my thing.
i don't hate ani, nor do i love her. i don't dislike her, nor do i like her. she's just sort of there. hope she's enjoying life.
weevilkinevil wrote:
I get accused of listening to my "angry chick" music by a man I know-- and who refuses to listen to the lyrics.
OK, I give up. Who?
meydele wrote:
Just out of curiosity - How many of the anti-Ani forces are male and how many female? I would guess that men dislike her more often than women. Not trying to start a fight here - just wondering.
I get accused of listening to my "angry chick" music by a man I know-- and who refuses to listen to the lyrics.
Darkmatter wrote:
Pretty pleasant song. But why was there a budgie in the studio when she recorded it?
Heh. If this song was followed by Blackbird on the Beatles' White Album for its bird noises, I would be amused.
This is the second song I can blame her for and it's as bad as the first one.
gandalfbmg wrote:
See, this is one of the few times I can stand her. Most of the time her 'having something to say' is just her up on high horse singing about how much more enlightened she is than everyone else... she's much more understated here and when coupled with a more laid back style, makes this song much more tolerable to these ears than the rest of her stuff.
No, no, no. Ani would be the first to tell you (as she often does in her songs) that she is far far from perfect herself. She just wants everyone (including herself) to be better than they are. Almost everybody (except the folks who believe they are already perfect) should be able to get behind that. And for meydele I am a pro_ani guy.
Just out of curiosity - How many of the anti-Ani forces are male and how many female? I would guess that men dislike her more often than women. Not trying to start a fight here - just wondering.
shakylegs wrote:
Anyone remember when Ani had something important to say? Think back. It was way before this album.
See, this is one of the few times I can stand her. Most of the time her 'having something to say' is just her up on high horse singing about how much more enlightened she is than everyone else... she's much more understated here and when coupled with a more laid back style, makes this song much more tolerable to these ears than the rest of her stuff.
Anyone remember when Ani had something important to say? Think back. It was way before this album.
it starts off grating... and then gets worse and worse... if everyone claims Ani Difranco has better songs, let's hear 'em and get this one off the playlist
meydele wrote:
I hear what people are saying about the weird things she does with her voice, but I don't find it off-putting in the least ...
I do -- it's too precious by half.
Alanis?
dafty4 wrote:
Refute the following claim: Ani Difranco is a malcontent activist who *thinks* she should be singing, so strums a guitar while she monotonizes her manifestos.
Refutation: Melody
AgainstPolitics wrote:
"Little plastic castle"? Little plastic voice!
Plastic people! Oh, baby, now you're such a drag ~Zappa