Not a day goes by when I don't need a fix of Ani and this is the CD I reach for the most. Little Plastic Castle keeps me wanting more. Just when I think I should be getting tired of it I find myself putting it in my CD player again. It is addictive.

My favorite song is 'Two Little Girls' which is a touching love story which I can personally relate to. 'Gravel' and 'Glass House' are good hard folk songs that effectively offsets the beautiful 'As Is'. 'Pixie' is wonderful both for the music and for the simple fact that virtually everyone can relate to disgruntled workers behind the counter, "so just suck up and be nice". How perfect is that!?!? The CD ends with 'Pulse' and the expanded beat that puts you in a whole different world. I think the one weakness of this CD is 'Deep Dish' that doesn't flow with the other tracks.

Regardless of what other Ani fans say, I enjoy her recent work and believe there is much to gain from it. Give it a try, you may find yourself repeatedly reaching for it too!

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.

Ani is an incredible artist -- her lyrics are astounding, her sound unique -- truly a revolutionary artist in this day and age, especially when people succumb to the capitalistic industry and buy hanson, backstreet boys, and the like...Ani is just so unique, and refuses to be labeled and goes with whatever comes creatively in her life, which means it always changes...and I love the fact that she's got the ambition to have her own label.

For Ani fans, [shame on you if you haven't gotten it yet ;) ] this will be a very different experience from her earlier days. The sounds are more "modern" -- more than just her guitar and beautiful voice. For newcomers to her music; this is a great album, but not indicative of most of her earlier music. If you want to hear the folk, get "Puddle Dive" or the first album. All of her albums are amazing in their own ways.

Overall, a great album, although her sounds get a tad repetitive for the --very selective listener.-- I like it a lot -- and I was satisifed paying full price for it. Get it -- you won't be dissapointed -- Ani is truly a gem.

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.

With the exception of the title track (Little Plastic Castles), there isn't anything that I get even close to disliking. And Little Plastic Castles isn't a bad song it just didn't really "sing" to me I guess. I am, admittingly, a Ani Difranco "rube", but none the less I am also a music buff who tends to over analyze album. This album has such intricate guitar riffs and stunning production, that is a true must own. And truthfully most "must own"'s become "must not hear agains" after a few years. I am offically writing this review after owning it for 4 years and listing to it hundreds of times.
Musically stunning tracks:
Two Little Girls
Swan Dive
Glass House

Lyrically stunning tracks:
Two Little Girls
Swan Dive
Gravel

Best Song (in my opinion):
Swan Dive

I am trying to be objective and write a truly helpful review, but I really can't find anything I dislike about this album except the annoyingly blue cover.