Binary is the 19th studio album by singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco, released on June 9, 2017.[1] On this album she was supported by Todd Sickafoose, the upright bass player who has toured with her since 2004. Drummer Terence Higgins, who has been touring with DiFranco since 2012, also accompanied her on most of the tracks on the album.[2] Jenny Scheinman and Ivan Neville join the band for more than half of the record.[2] Other musicians showing up on the album include Maceo Parker, Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, and Gail Ann Dorsey.[2] The album was mixed by Tchad Blake (who has worked with The Black Keys, Pearl Jam, Sheryl Crow, and many others).[2]
| Binary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 9, 2017 | |||
| Recorded | 2015–2016 | |||
| Studio | The Dugout, Esplanade Studios, New Orleans, Louisiana | |||
| Length | 49:39 | |||
| Label | Righteous Babe | |||
| Producer | Ani DiFranco | |||
| Ani DiFranco chronology | ||||
| ||||
The first video and single, "Play God", was released on October 7, 2016.[3] This was followed by the second video, "Deferred Gratification", which was released as a tribute to President Barack Obama on January 18, 2017.[4][5] On May 9, 2017, Paste released the title track, "Binary", which was the third release.[6] This was soon followed by a track featuring Justin Vernon called "Zizzing", which was the fourth release released by consequence.net on May 23, 2017.[7]
Critical reception
edit| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | (77/100)[8] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |    [9] |
The album has a score of 77 out of 100 from Metacritic based on "generally favorable reviews".
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Ani DiFranco
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Binary" | 4:22 |
| 2. | "Pacifist's Lament" | 5:56 |
| 3. | "Zizzing" | 5:56 |
| 4. | "Play God" | 4:53 |
| 5. | "Alrighty" | 3:15 |
| 6. | "Telepathic" | 3:12 |
| 7. | "Even More" | 4:08 |
| 8. | "Spider" | 3:53 |
| 9. | "Sasquatch" | 5:46 |
| 10. | "Terrifying Sight" | 5:14 |
| 11. | "Deferred Gratification" | 3:05 |
Personnel
editAdapted from the credits.[10]
- Ani DiFranco – vocals; guitar; mellotron (2, 7, 11); orchestron (4, 7, 10); guitar synth (10)
- Todd Sickafoose – bass (1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11); celeste (2); keyboards (2, 6, 8); shaker (2); vibraphone (3, 6); wurlitzer (5); bells (7); prepared piano (9)
- Terence Higgins – drums; congas (7); pandeiro (10)
- Ivan Neville – organ (1, 4, 10); Clavinet (1); bass (2, 4, 7); piano (2, 4, 7, 9); Rhodes (2); Wurlitzer (10)
- Jenny Scheinman – violin (3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11); backing vocals (6)
- Maceo Parker – alto saxophone (1)
- Skerik – tenor and baritone saxophones (1); saxophones (4)
- Alonzo Bowens – clarinet (2, 7, 11)
- Bobby Campo – trumpet (2, 7, 11)
- Mark Mullins – trombone (2, 7, 11)
- Justin Vernon – backing vocals (3)
- Petah Napolitano – backing vocals (7)
- Gail Ann Dorsey – backing vocals (10)
Production
- Ani DiFranco – producer
- Tchad Blake – mixing
- Mike Napolitano – recording
- Brian Lucey – mastering
- Todd Sickafoose – horn arrangements for tracks 2, 7 and 11
- David Calderley – design at graphictherapy
- GMDThree – Ani photographs
Charts
edit| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[11] | 192 |
| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[12] | 44 |
References
edit- ^ "Ani DiFranco News". Righteousbabe.com. December 31, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
- ^ a b c d "Ani Biography". Righteousbabe.myshopify.com. March 29, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
- ^ "Play God – Ani DiFranco (Official Music Video)". October 7, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2017 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Ani DiFranco – Deferred Gratification". January 18, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2017 – via YouTube.
- ^ Portwood, Jerry (January 18, 2017). "Watch Video for Ani DiFranco 'Deferred Gratification' Track". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
- ^ "Exclusive: Hear the Heady Funk Title Track from Ani DiFranco's New Album, Binary". pastemagazine.com.
- ^ "Ani DiFranco enlists Justin Vernon for riveting new song "Zizzing" – listen". Consequence of Sound. May 23, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
- ^ "Critic Reviews for Binary". Metacritic. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- ^ Monger, James Christopher. "Binary - Ani DiFranco". Allmusic. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- ^ "Ani DiFranco-Binary". June 9, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
- ^ "Ani DiFranco Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
- ^ "Ani DiFranco Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2017.