Ani DiFranco

There's certainly something to be said for not rushing things or trying to be the most prolific singer-songwriter on the planet. Ani DiFranco found this out in the ’90s, when she released a new studio album every single year except for 1997 (which she made up for in 1999, when she released two). After her much-celebrated and -repeated story (a total indie girl back when nobody was indie), and breakthrough album (1996's Dilate), it had to be a major comedown when all of those records just kinda bled into one indistinguishable mess. DiFranco slowed down a bit in the '00s, releasing only six records. Her latest LP, Which Side Are You On?, is her first in four years and best in quite a while. Much of this has to do with her hitting a pair of subjects dear to her heart: protest music and her own growth, as both a person and artist. Ninety-three-year-old Pete Seeger joins the 42-yead-old singer on the album's best song, the title track, written 50 years ago. It occupies both your heart and hers. It's nice to have her back. (Gallucci)