I have to admit, when I first bought this album a few weeks ago, my reaction wasn't very positive. I was like, "What the hell happened? This isn't the Ani DiFranco I've grown to love!" And songs like "Outta Me, On To You" and "Shameless" still freak me out a bit.

But once I listened to it a second or third time, I really began to love it. Ani's voice is the best it's ever been on any of her records, the lyrics are brilliant as always....now I can't believe I once disliked it so much. My favorite tracks on it are Superhero (such a wonderful song), Napoleon (I get such a big smile on my face whenever I listen to this one), Done Wrong (gorgeous and sad), and Joyful Girl (whispery and pretty).

I love this album because on it Ani displays such quiet, heartfelt emotion that I've never heard on any of her other records. Not A Pretty Girl is still my favorite album of hers, but Dilate will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you, Ani.

Supposing that, like me, you don't normally want to listen to people with acoustic guitars whose fans (who can't spell "inspiring") regard them with awe - well, have a listen to this album, distinctly grittier than many of its kin. Apparently this is the album on which DiFranco got tired of being a folkie and upped the funk level by several degrees. The songs are cool: Napoleon, a blast of contempt at unspeakable rock-biz types, has a grungy swing and an unprintable chorus; Amazing Grace (yes, it's that old chestnut) is all overdubbed thumb pianos and whispering; Untouchable Face is a splendidly miserable love song (again with an unprintable chorus, which redeems the more ordinary sadness of the verses); the title track is a real killer, with a guitar sound big enough to fit a cathedral into it and positively bilious lyrics. Fine stuff. Never mind Laurie Anderson (recording with Lour Reed? What can she be thinking?), DiFranco is the singer-songwriter for people who don't normally listen to them.

Some people were annoyed, if I remember right, when Ani DiFranco made this album -- much more brooding and with a lot more backup band than her others.

To them, I said: "She already made like a gazillion albums in her other style! She recorded more songs already than most artists ever will. How long was she supposed to keep going before trying something new?" I figure she has to either reinvent herself or get bored, and I think she made the right choice

I think this album is a TRIUMPH. It's mopey, honest, and absolutely heartfelt. Her lyrics are just as smart as ever.

SUPERHERO is a fantastic song about how when we fall in love, we all become ridiculous cliches ... no matter how 'above it' we thought we were before.

ADAM AND EVE is a powerful, brooding feminist statement about men who "leave you in the morning".

OUT OF ME, ONTO YOU is more or less ... a curse on someone you hate.

I think DILATE is a gem, and every Ani fan should take it back out again and listen to it with fresh ears.

I met Ani once, years ago when she played at the Ithaca Theater, in Ithaca, NY. She wasn't so commercially known then. I am honored I saw her live, "local" concerts during the best part of her music career. "Dilate" is hard-edged, in-your-face, and is placed very high in my most favorite CD ranks. My two favorite songs have always been "Dilate" and "Untouchable Face". She was very hard core. A jilted lover? Maybe. I have heard new Ani music, saw a music video, and I am saddened to say, the Ani I once knew and loved has turned a tad commercial. If you are a true Ani DiFranco fan, you must experience the raw, guitar-slamming emotions of "Dilate". This is the true Ani..the music that got her started. And Ani-if you are out there...I will NEVER forget how you closed that concert in Ithaca with a solo rendition of "When Doves Cry". Buy this album. It is truly sensational and worthy of more than 5 stars.

This is the cd that got me into Ani Difranco and my all-time favorite too. Her rendition of Amazing Grace is stunning and breath-taking to say the very least. I wasn't sure what to make of her when I first gave this cd a spin back in '96 but after a couple of more spins in the ol' stereo I quickly became a fan. Every song on the cd is awesome but my very, very favorite has to be the title track. I consider Ani Difranco one of the few artists who puts out consistent work amidst the current crop of disposable pop acts today's market is flooded with.