Ani DiFranco - Reprieve

Buffalo’s fiercely independent, openly bisexual punk folkie makes albums that are equally political and personal. DiFranco’s latest is no exception. The title track and “Millennium Theater” both cite the curse of patriarchy, while the cautionary “Decree” urges, “Step up and forfeit your frontal lobe to the sexed up strobe of celebrity.” Just when her stridency begins to irritate, DiFranco delivers a jazz-tinged, poetic ballad like “Hypnotized” so tender that she could win over the most jaded, non-partisan listener.

July 11