Some people handle pressure better than others.
Little Plastic Castle proves Ani DiFranco handles it very well. It's as if she knows all too well that not only has she outgrown the relative safety of her fan base, but that Little Plastic Castle is unfortunately bound to share more CD shelf space with No Doubt than Sleater-Kinney. In every way, Little Plastic Castle is Ani DiFranco's most singularly challenging and accessible record to date. That said, DiFranco's best writing is still about herself. DiFranco's smart enough to know that that kind of rhythmic rant not only befits the tune, with its acoustic intro and unsettling ska bridge, but will also make great pull-out fodder for the press.