This came out in 1999 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Even rock stars used to have a work ethic. Back in the ’60s, The Beatles put out an LP every few months, and even in the ’70s, Elton John issued more than one album per year.
This year, Ani DiFranco has followed suit: To The Teeth is her third CD of ’99 after Up Up Up Up Up and a collaboration with Utah Phillips. And there’s plenty of quality to go with the quantity. This outstanding and eclectic disc begins with something old — just Ani and her acoustic guitar on the anti-gun call-to-arms of the title opener. Then, it switches to something new — four tracks of Ani as a one-riot grrrl band, playing all the instruments. Between, she tinkers with trip-folk, lays down some soulful grooves with the help of James Brown sax sideman Maceo Parker and The Artist Formerly Known As Prince, and even tries on Rickie Lee Jones’ boho beret for size. Looks like Ani has a thing for hat tricks.
