Album Review: Til We Outnumber 'Em by Various Artists
So, you’re scrolling through Spotify (or maybe digging in your dad’s old CD collection) and stumble upon this gem from 2000—Til We Outnumber 'Em. It’s a folk-rock hodgepodge with roots deeper than your grandma’s potato salad recipe. Released under Spain’s DiscMedi Blau label, the album feels like a musical potluck where everyone brought their best dish. And who’s hosting? None other than Ani DiFranco, the queen of raw, unfiltered storytelling herself. She produced this sucker, so yeah, expect some serious lyrical heft.
Let’s talk vibes for a sec. The genres here are all over the place—folk, world, country, rock—but somehow it works. Like that one friend who shows up to a barbecue wearing Hawaiian shorts and cowboy boots. The style leans heavily into folk rock, but there’s enough grit and soul to keep things interesting. Plus, mastering wizard Greg Calbi gave it his magic touch, so it sounds crisp as a fresh apple pie.
Now, onto the tracks. With eighteen songs on the playlist, you’d think it might drag, but nah—it zips along like a caffeinated squirrel. Two tracks stuck out to me like mismatched socks in a laundry pile: “Hard Travelin’ Hootenanny” and “Does Music Change The World?”
First up, “Hard Travelin’ Hootenanny.” This tune kicks off the album like a rusty pickup truck sputtering to life. It’s got that foot-stomping energy that makes you want to grab a banjo and start busking on the nearest street corner. The lyrics feel like they were scribbled on the back of a napkin during a late-night diner run, which is exactly why I love it. Raw, real, and kinda messy—in the best way possible.
Then there’s “Does Music Change The World?”—a song that hits you right in the existential feels. It’s not just asking a question; it’s daring you to answer it. Spoiler alert: no clear answers here, folks. But hey, isn’t that what great art does? Leaves you thinking long after the last chord fades? Props to whoever wrote this one—it’s got more layers than my winter coat.
Oh, and can we take a moment to appreciate Andrew Gilchrist’s engineering skills? Dude made sure every strum, stomp, and harmonica wail sounded like it was recorded live in your living room. Big ups.
At first glance, Til We Outnumber 'Em might seem like just another compilation album, but give it a spin, and you’ll realize it’s so much more. It’s protest music, campfire singalongs, and deep philosophical musings all rolled into one. Honestly, listening to it feels like crashing a party full of passionate strangers who somehow become your new best friends by the end of the night.
Final thought? If Woody Guthrie and Ani DiFranco had a baby, this album would be its yearbook photo. Or maybe its high school essay. Either way, it’s good stuff. Now go listen to it before someone tells you to turn down the volume.
