Music

Average customer rating:

Still the one to beat
A fun, thoughtful, serious, and eye-opening album!!!
Different and Not to be missed
A solid album from Ani...
This one never pulled me in...

Little Plastic Castle
Ani Difranco
Manufacturer: Righteous Babe
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Not a Pretty Girl
Dilate
Ani DiFranco
Living in Clip
Up Up Up Up Up Up

ASIN: B0000058MY
Release Date: 1998-02-17

Tracks:

Little Plastic Castle
Fuel
Gravel
As Is
Two Little Girls
Deep Dish
Loom
Pixie
Swan Dive
Glasshouse
Independence Day
Pulse

Amazon.com

As she's gone from the Young Woman Who Could to the Woman Who Has, Ani DiFranco has explored more than her share of musical styles, all the while remaining true to her core. Even during her most extreme departures, you could hear the sound of the early albums coming through. On Little Plastic Castle, an album on which people are credited for adding pontifications, incantations, and an "evil machine" to songs, you could--for the first time--hear an almost completely new artist. Call her Ani, version 3; she couldn't have existed without hearing all of Ani, version 1's albums, and she wouldn't be as funky and experimental without the influence of Ani, version 2. She still has a lot to say--about politics, about relationships, about herself--but the messages aren't thrown in your face here (well, not as often). Instead they're wrapped in funky hooks and lots of production--anything you learn from DiFranco on this album will come from pure repetition, and for the first time, the album is varied enough, catchy enough, and subtle enough that you'll push the repeat button while cleaning the house. --Randy Silver

Customer Reviews:

Still the one to beat.......2005-12-08

Like some others who've posted here, I'm not necessarily an Ani-holic, but I have huge respect for her honesty and integrity, and the way she ran her career from a completely outsider approach into what is now a time-honored creative dynasty. She's not someone I listen to constantly, but I return to her regularly for a fix of the kind of blunt and exhilarating earnestness she represents.

That being said, I've always felt that after a certain point she just made too damn many CDs, so that at times musically she covered the same ground again and again. Try making a compilation sometime of your favorite Ani songs and you'll realize quickly just how many have the same tempo, the same key, the same basic structure and feel but (and this is the difference that saves them) new thoughts in the lyrics.

But LITTLE PLASTIC CASTLE probably is the best combination of all of Ani's best instincts along with the greatest variety in style, tempo and overall musical creativity. She also achieved a kind of unusual level of spontanteous vocal excitement on this album where she sounds even more intense and exuberant than her usual standard (which is always pretty intense!).

For me, this album and IMPERFECTLY are her two finest efforts, although I love many things scattered throughout all the rest of the CDs. If you are not already an Ani fan, this CD may be the best way "in," since if you don't like this one, I can't imagine you could generate much affection for Ani, who is so exuberantly accessible here.

A fun, thoughtful, serious, and eye-opening album!!!.......2004-08-01

Background info before writing this review will probly help Ani fans reading it. I'm not an Ani fan in the sense of agreeing with all her messages and supporting the things she does. I am a fan, however, who admires her outspoken honesty. She knows exactly what she feels, thinks, and believes and isn't one bit afraid to put it out there & in your face. That takes guts, more power to her. This world we live in (especially this country, USA) could greatly benefit from exercising her unapologetic frankness.

This was the first album I got by Ani, and I have to say my favorite to date. Personally, I'm an eclectic & enjoy ALL music (I tend to stay mainstream [not Britney Spears-type, though], but enjoy many types of music). When I first heard Miss DiFranco, I was really quite turned off by her sound. A friend of mine had been playing her music in the car on our trips & activities, and I almost couldn't stomach it. She played Revelling/Reckoning, To The Teeth, Evolve, and probably Dilate. I just remember thinking "What is this???" Ani has a musical style all her own, very raw and real. I suppose my ears were just so used to sugar-sweet candy pop that I was somewhat disgusted. But even 'alternative' rock like death metal & all that don't have anything on her; she's got something that so many other artists, whether or not I like them, don't have.

Anyway, back to the task at hand: reviewing "Little Plastic Castle." I'm pretty sure the reason I like it so much is it is probably one of the more musically melodic albums she has out. What I mean is someone who is used to pop and things like that would probably do well to buy this CD as their first Ani album because it's closest to what they know. It's very effective in that way because it tunes the pop listner in by using sounds they can handle while presenting very deep messages and opinions that aren't so popular like the sound they are carried by.

Listening to number 1, the title track, really made me step back and think how boring things can get as far as the music industry and TV, etc. Some lyrics from that song are: "In a coffe shop / in a city / which is every coffe shop / in every city / on a day which is every day / I pick up a magazine / which is every magazine / read a story and forget it right away" She has a very good point here about how the media (TV, radio, movies, newspapers, magazines, etc) train us to know what is 'normal,' and keep spoonfeeding us those stereotypes.

The lyrics to song 2, "Fuel," are hard-hitting & heavy. They talk about racism (slavery), politics, and many other things. It's a very good song to sit & ponder because at the end of it she sums all of her scenarios up by describing them each one as "a fire just waiting for fuel." One of my favorites!

Track 5 is good, "Two Little Girls." It's sad and dark but it's a good listen, it compells me all the way through each time.

I reccomend this CD highly because it helped me break out of the pop mindset, even though I was eclectic I never really understood how narrowminded I was musically (as well as politically, etc). Go for it! Do your best swan dive into the bold, bold world of Ani DiFranco.

Different and Not to be missed.......2004-06-18

This was Ani DiFranco's first really synthesized, fancily-produced album. And it's a whole different world from the style she was known for before this. Listening to this is definitely like being introduced to a whole new artist. There are more electronics, more experimental song styles, and even her voice has changed a little -- it's a tad raspier.

The lyrics are still just as good -- but don't buy it expecting the old Ani ... you have to love it as something completely new.

And I DID love it!

The songs are made not more watery, but more powerful by the elaborate compositions. The topics capture so many sides of life -- from the pretty to the dark.

One song urges rude people to "just suck up and be nice".

Another song, whose entire atmosphere tells of a desperate hour proclaims, "If you think you know what I'm doing wrong, you're gonna have to get in line."

GRAVEL has a catchy, hardcore beat and really gets across the humor in having an ex that you just seem to keep taking back, no matter what he does.

And it all leads up to the climax -- the final song -- that is more of a hypnotic symphony than a song. It only has a few spoken words -- the rest it says in its swaying rhythm -- but it is absolutely powerful. An expected pinnacle.

The first song or two on the album are just warm-ups. Skip past them to really delve into the riches of this outstanding record.

This album is not to be missed by anyone who likes true-to-the-heart, poignant, powerful experimental music.

A solid album from Ani..........2004-05-10

To me this is a solid album from Ani... It's also my first one that I've bought/owned by Ani - got lucky and picked it up in a 2nd hand store (thought it's definitely worth full price)...
Musicwise, 'Two Little Girls' and 'Swan Dive' is my two favorite tracks, though I like them all at varying degrees of enjoyment... As well as I like that it doesn't sound exactly the same from... So after listening to this one, I'm looking forward to one day picking up "Not A Pretty Girl"... Plus, I'm very impressed that Ani performed at the "Women March for Choice" on March 20, 2004... - Savannah Skye...

This one never pulled me in..........2004-03-28

I own Not A Pretty Girl, Dilate, and this album by Ani Difranco. While I thouroughly enjoy the first two--Little Plastic Castle never pulled me in at all really. I've given it numerous listens and still I don't think it remotely compares to the other two albums I own by her. The only song that sticks out to me is "Gravel" and even that song I am having trouble recollecting exactly in my mind. I suggest the other two if you are a starting Ani fan. I must admit I'm surprised by the overwhelming popularity of this one.

Average customer rating:

A great disc for streering wheel drummers!
LPC is classic ani difranco
refreshing...but still Ani!
5 stars isn't even close enough to give this women justice!!
Ani's most creative album yet

Little Plastic Castle
Ani DiFranco
Manufacturer: Wea International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Urban Folk | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000007WNS
Release Date: 1998-08-15

Tracks:

Little Plastic Castle
Fuel
Gravel
As Is
Two Little Girls
Deep Dish
Loom
Pixie
Swan Dive
Glass House
Independence Day
Pulse
Little Plastic Castle [Hobby Lobby Mix][*]

Album Description

Japanese edition of her 1998 album with 'Little Plastic Castle' (Hobby Lobby Mix) added as a bonus track, for a total of 13 cuts. 1998 Righteous Babe release.

Album Details

Japanese Release featuring One Bonus Track.

Customer Reviews:

A great disc for streering wheel drummers!.......1999-05-06

Last weekend my wife and I took a drive up the ragged California coastline. I stuffed the CD changer with six discs and set it to Shuffle Mode. It wasn't too long before I HAD to get out of shuffle and play "Little Plastic Castles" in its entirety. Ani's attack on these poor defenseless guitar strings is matched only by her syncopated delivery of her lyrics. As DiFranco fans have come to expect, the lyrics have a honest intensity that you just don't find on the radio. The line in "As Is" that gets me every time:

When I look down/ I just miss all the good stuff/ And when I look up/ I just trip over things

In fact, while my wife shopped at a factory outlet mall, I sat in the car in the parking lot, put the disc in repeat, and listened to "As Is" (at least) ten times in a row!

Keep looking straight ahead, Ani...

LPC is classic ani difranco.......1999-04-07

this cd, as with most of ani's music at first takes you by surprise. she always seems to find a new way to express herself yet give the same raw emotion. LPC is amazing. i'm unsure about this import extra tracks thing, though. i only see one additional song. "little plastic castle-just a different version. is it really worth an extra $20?

refreshing...but still Ani!.......1999-04-07

I love this album! In true Ani style, the lyrics are strong, colorful, and opinionated making the album worth listening to over and over. What is different about this album is that while she still expresses her very-opinionated, often cynical views, her m elodies and rhythms are significantly more upbeat. She experiments with many new instruments on the tracks of this album; even brass in "Deep Dish." This is a big change from her mostly-accoustic guitar past but it works well for her. "Little Plastic Cas tle" is one of those albums that each time you sit down and listen to it you find something new to love that you had previously overlooked. Ani is evolving but is just as increadible as always! l

5 stars isn't even close enough to give this women justice!!.......1998-10-22

One womans voice that can fill you entire soul... The words and emotion she creates can cause a fire to burn with pure emotion... Her music gives strength in ourselves and the passion to do something with ourselves..taking everything built up inside and hitting people smack in the face...shes got something that she needs to say....and well..., if you dont like it....dont listen...and if you do...maybe you to should listen more closely....shes been saying it for years "its nice that you listen, itd be nice if you joined in, if your gonna play their game grrrl your never gonna win." Ani found her way of leaving all the bullsh*t behind...and now look the same people who idolize her are now her worst enemies.....her fans have become the people she use to write songs about in the earlier years....Try listening to "letter from a John?" It may not be you...but next time you go to a show...listen for a bit....woman are just as degrading towards women as men are.....Ani is an amazing woman...not a piece of meat......

Ani's most creative album yet.......1998-06-14

Though much more of a pop album than her previous efforts, Ani still stays true to her style. At first I didn't like this album, but after listening to it more closely, I realized just what an in-your-face documentation of Ani's life this really is. She was briliant when she came out with "Ani Di Franco" in 1990 and she is still brilliant today with "Little Plastic Castle". Ani rocks.

Average customer rating:

Little Plastic Castle (+1 Bonus Track)
Ani Difranco
Manufacturer: Jvc Victor
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Urban Folk | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Folk | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00006S2P2
Release Date: 2002-11-25

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track: "Little Plastic Castle (Hobby Lobby Mix)".

Music:

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