- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
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It ranks as the artist's most concise and accessible release to date.
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The results are a selection of high quality that veers between brightly spirited ("Manhole," "Lag Time") and somber ("Callous").
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BlenderDiFranco seems less the compulsive confessor here, more the storyteller. [Mar 2005, p.139]
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While Knuckle Down doesn’t wow with new musical directions, the album undeniably satisfies by being familiar and stunning.
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Entertainment WeeklyLaid-back musings even casual fans will love. [28 Jan 2005, p.85]
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FilterIn both theme and effect, DiFranco's latest is about the reassurance in chronicling minutiae. [#14, p.100]
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It's a beautifully produced album, textured and performed with such energy that her least satisfying lyrics (and the lyrics are usually the main problem on a DiFranco album) are muted.
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MagnetThis loosening of the reins, ironically, has yielded her most intimate and cohesive album. [#67, p.92]
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MojoMore honed and richly-textured than former offerings. [Apr 2005, p.101]
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Knuckle Down holds together quite well, revealing an artist still developing a powerful and engaging self-analytical aesthetic.
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SpinShe's become masterful at painting in the blues and grays of everyday emotion. [Feb 2005, p.92]
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All of these songs sound like her -- from any era or any album of her career. Her presence is too recognizable to be disguised by production or gimmickry.
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Ms. DiFranco is still self-sufficient, but an extra pair of producer's ears gives her some new dimensions. [31 Jan 2005]
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UncutDiFranco remains an utterly singular performer. [Mar 2005, p.91]
User score distribution:
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Positive: 29 out of 32
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Mixed: 0 out of 32
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Negative: 3 out of 32
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AaronDApr 30, 2006It's just exellent all the way through. It's as good as anything she's ever done.
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ClaudiaDec 4, 2005Great album - nice to hear her playing with people again, although i loved educated guess. thanks, ani, for showing your emotions again...
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NaomiCMar 5, 2005It's her best album in years!!!!!!!!