Binary (Ani DiFranco album)

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 Ani DiFranco
Released	June 9, 2017 (2017-06-09)
Recorded	2015–2016
Studio	The Dugout, Esplanade Studios, New Orleans, Louisiana
Length	49:39
Label	Righteous Babe
Producer	Ani DiFranco
Ani DiFranco chronology
Allergic to Water (2014) Binary (2017)

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 consequenceofsound.net on May 23, 2017.[7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

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

All 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

Adapted from the credits.[10]

• Ani DiFranco – vocals; guitar; mellotron on tracks 2, 7, 11; orchestron on tracks 4, 7, 10; guitar synth on track 10
• Todd Sickafoose – bass on tracks 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11; celeste on track 2; keyboards on tracks 2, 6, 8; shaker on track 2; vibraphone on tracks 3, 6; wurlitzer on track 5; bells on track 7; prepared piano on track 9
• Terence Higgins – drums; congas on track 7; pandiero on track 10
• Ivan Neville – organ on tracks 1, 4, 10; Clavinet on track 1; bass on tracks 2, 4, 7; piano on tracks 2, 4, 7, 9; Rhodes on track 2; Wurlitzer on track 10
• Jenny Scheinman – violin on tracks 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11; backing vocals on track 6
• Maceo Parker – alto saxophone on track 1
• Skerik – tenor and baritone saxophones on track 1; saxophones on track 4
• Alonzo Bowens – clarinet on tracks 2, 7, 11
• Bobby Campo – trumpet on tracks 2, 7, 11
• Mark Mullins – trombone on tracks 2, 7, 11
• Justin Vernon – backing vocals on track 3
• Petah Napolitano – backing vocals on track 7
• Gail Ann Dorsey – backing vocals on track 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

Chart (2017)	Peak position
US Billboard 200[11]	192
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[12]	44

References

1. "Ani DiFranco News". Righteousbabe.com. December 31, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
2. "Ani Biography". Righteousbabe.myshopify.com. March 29, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
3. "Play God – Ani DiFranco (Official Music Video)". October 7, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2017 – via YouTube.
4. "Ani DiFranco – Deferred Gratification". January 18, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2017 – via YouTube.
5. Portwood, Jerry (January 18, 2017). "Watch Video for Ani DiFranco 'Deferred Gratification' Track". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
6. "Exclusive: Hear the Heady Funk Title Track from Ani DiFranco's New Album, Binary". pastemagazine.com.
7. "Ani DiFranco enlists Justin Vernon for riveting new song "Zizzing" – listen". Consequence of Sound. May 23, 2017. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
8. "Critic Reviews for Binary". Metacritic. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
9. Monger, James Christopher. "Binary - Ani DiFranco". Allmusic. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
10. "Ani DiFranco-Binary". June 9, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
11. "Ani DiFranco Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2017.
12. "Ani DiFranco Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 20, 2017.

External links

• Record label's album page