Evolve
by Ani DiFranco
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    She is to Norah Jones what Ornette Coleman is to Kenny G. [21 Mar 2003, p.112]
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  2. Billboard
    80
    Highly cerebral, the visceral kick hits on the third or fourth play.
  3. Drowned In Sound
    80
    So, after all this time is she still worth the time of day? Without a shadow of a doubt.
  5. Blender
    80
    The songs are richly and surprisingly textured, having more in common with experimental jazz than folk. [#15, p.122]
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  6. Amazon.com
    70
    Sprawling, funny, angry, compelling, and entirely unafraid.
  7. Q Magazine
    70
    A fine souvenir of DiFranco's recent jazzy excursions. [May 2003, p.102]
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  8. Uncut
    60
    Make the most of these subtly funked-up arrangements with their horns and clarinets and bebop percussion. [Jun 2003, p.104]
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  9. Rolling Stone
    60
    This aesthetic journey has alienated longtime fans missing the concise, angry Ani while attracting newbies charmed by her chops. Evolve speaks to both camps with a succinct summation of her experimental side, here focused and more refined.
  10. PopMatters
    60
    Unfortunately, DiFranco's infatuation with the new arrangements enshrouds her literate lyrics.
  11. Spin
    58
    This quasi-funky, horn-section-assisted record demonstrates that as a jazz vocalist, Ani's a fine folk singer. [Apr 2003, p.107]
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  12. AllMusic
    50
    The arrangements and solid production, however, aren't enough to save the material.
  13. The A.V. Club
    30
    The singer spends most of Evolve dithering on elastic, airy, funk-jazz excursions that convey few opinions or emotions, not to mention hooks.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 9
  3. Negative: 2 out of 9
  1. righteousNATE
    Jan 25, 2012
    9
    This album was a continuation of where Revelling/Reckoning left off. Probably won't be a favorite at first listen, but it turned out to be aThis album was a continuation of where Revelling/Reckoning left off. Probably won't be a favorite at first listen, but it turned out to be a great album over time. The standout track on the album is Serpentine; never has Ani ever showed so much emotion in one song, ever. You can hear her whimpering at the end of the song. This is such a climatic themed album!… Full Review »
  2. NShockey
    Apr 25, 2003
    10
    Great album. Not really Ani's best, but it's a change and all of the other critics probably will change their mind on this one in Great album. Not really Ani's best, but it's a change and all of the other critics probably will change their mind on this one in the next few years, but then it'll be too late. Ani has to be listened to more than one for anyone to like it! I like every single song on the album fr its different reason, and none of them should stand alone and be redicule. Ani has done it again!… Full Review »
  3. StheB
    Apr 16, 2003
    8
    This was a phenomenal CD. Not the place one would start an Ani collection but a brilliant record anyway. The song "Slide" speaks like early This was a phenomenal CD. Not the place one would start an Ani collection but a brilliant record anyway. The song "Slide" speaks like early Ani with lyrics like, "When I look at you I squint, You are that beautiful." and the guitar arrangement is just more mature than in the past. Then there is "Evolve" which if you really hear, explains everything about where she is and where she wants to go. I hate to keep naming songs but I HAVE to mention "Serpentine", the 10 minute solo arrangement that has to be heard to be understood. That I think is my favorite song overall. She speaks back and fprth from subjects of love ("I get f*cked up when I'm alone"), to the state of music biz ("Hip-Hop is tied up in a back room with a logo in it's mouth/cause the master's tools will never dismantle the master's house!"). The song is rightly named. There are songs I could do without (Icarus, Second Intermission) but the CD as whole is brilliant! The body of work unmatchable.… Full Review »
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