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Knuckle Down Image
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 32 Ratings

  • Summary: DiFranco breaks from her usual DIY practice by enlisting Joe Henry to co-produce this latest release.

Top Track

Parameters
thirty-three years go by and not once do you come home to find a man sitting in your bedroom that is a man you don't know who came a long way to... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 18
  2. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Spin
    91
    She's become masterful at painting in the blues and grays of everyday emotion. [Feb 2005, p.92]
  2. 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.
  3. The results are a selection of high quality that veers between brightly spirited ("Manhole," "Lag Time") and somber ("Callous").
  4. It ranks as the artist's most concise and accessible release to date.
  5. Ms. DiFranco is still self-sufficient, but an extra pair of producer's ears gives her some new dimensions. [31 Jan 2005]
  6. Uncut
    70
    DiFranco remains an utterly singular performer. [Mar 2005, p.91]
  7. Q Magazine
    40
    Deliberately sparse and bare. [Mar 2005, p.99]

See all 18 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. AaronD
    Apr 30, 2006
    10
    It's just exellent all the way through. It's as good as anything she's ever done.
  2. ShannonH
    Feb 12, 2005
    10
    Not since Little Plastic Castles have I felt that wonderful chest pain and when the hair on your arms stands on end because her voice just Not since Little Plastic Castles have I felt that wonderful chest pain and when the hair on your arms stands on end because her voice just penetrates you like that. I am in love with the music once again and it brings me back to Not So Soft and Dilate when I thought all I would ever want to listen to again was Ani discs over and over. I think Knuckle Down is wonderful and emotional and teeth gritting. Thankyou Ani once again Expand
  3. michael
    Jan 25, 2005
    10
    great cd!! i'm a very casual ani fan and this one floored me over.
  4. NaomiC
    Mar 5, 2005
    10
    It's her best album in years!!!!!!!!
  5. [Anonymous]
    Jan 26, 2005
    9
    typical ani at it's best.
  6. EdwardE
    Mar 2, 2005
    9
    Ms. DiFranco returns home from her wanderings through JamBandLand. This release is concise & one of her best.
  7. artw
    Jan 25, 2005
    1
    Gosh, it's been almost 10 years since Ani put out a good album. This is the same crap as the last handful of albums with different, but Gosh, it's been almost 10 years since Ani put out a good album. This is the same crap as the last handful of albums with different, but equally lame lyrics. Expand

See all 20 User Reviews