Dilate was written and produced by Ani Difranco in 1996 and has the WOW factor . From the sparse opening bars of the opening track " Untouchable Face " to the punk/rock sound of Ani Difranco's beautiful voice screaming " Outta me , onto you " this album had me entranced .

The songs of Dilate are structured commercially , and contain Ani Difranco's excellent sense of driving rhythm . The lyrics took me on a journey due to her compelling story telling . The song that stands out for me in Dilate is "Napolean" . The song of a singer who joins a Major Label , becomes a star and then finds it all turns sour.

Another pick is " Shameless " with its driving rythms , lesbian theme and Ani Difranco's rock singing which is distorted with vocal effects and grunts .

Very few pop artists seek to create complex sound through mastery of their instrument . Ani Difranco is one of those rare artists who asks everything of herself . The result for me is an emotional journey in which Ani Difranco sings out her lost love and in doing so releases us all .

Deborah's Rating : Music to be listened to .