Ani DiFranco is a prolific artist. Since 1999, she's put out one album a year, each one a departure from the last. Her latest, Knuckledown is no different.

On her last album, Educated Guess, DiFranco pursued a stripped down sound of guitar and bass that drew criticism from some who thought she'd lost her touch.

Knuckledown should answer those questions, and solidify her reputation as an artist who'll keep you guessing about her next direction. DiFranco brings along confederates to round out the sound on this album. She also brings in a co-producer, Joe Henry, which is a definite change from past albums.

Overall, the noticeable changes are enough to tick off some fans. There's hardly a hint of Ani's far left activism evident in these songs. The closest she gets is "Paradigm," an autobiographical tune about growing up in a family that believed in grassroots activism.

i was born to two immigrants who knew why they were here they were happy to pay taxes for the schools and roads happy to be here they took it seriously the second job of citizenry my mother went campaigning door to door and holding to her hand was me

Most of the simmering anger of the album is directed at lovers, as witnessed in what I consider the strongest song on the album, and one that would get serious airplay if given the chance: "Manhole"

course, you're the kind of guy who doesn't lie
he just doctors everything
chooses some unassuming finger
and quietly moves his wedding ring
who rewrites his autobiography
for any pretty girl who'll sing
but you can't fool the queen, baby
cuz i married the king

and maybe it was i who betrayed his majesty
with no opposite reality
like a puddle with no reflection
of the sky or the trees
but after my dreaded beheading
i tied that sucker back on with a string
and i guess i'm pretty different now
considering

The music builds from a swinging plucked guitar riff to a crescendo of electric guitar, stand-up bass, staccato strings and a crashing drum accompaniment. The icing on the cake is the little whistle DiFranco adds to the transition between chorus and verse.

It's that type of simmering anger/bopping joy that is DiFranco's strong suite, and it's evident on several tracks here besides "Manhole," including "Modulation."

Other high points include the title track, "Knuckledown," which DiFranco previewed on her DVD "Trust," and "Recoil," the final track on the album.

There are also songs for those who like DiFranco in slower, more contemplative moods. "Studying Stones," "Callous," and "Minerva" should keep those fans satisfied.

One particular effort deserves special mention: "Parameters.
I'm not a big fan of DiFranco's spoken-word work. To be honest, it's usually too preachy, straining to get across a point, like using a chainsaw to cut a string on your jacket.

But "Parameters" stopped me in my tracks. It's a personal tale of a woman who comes home one night to find a man in her bedroom.

so sure are you of the endless drumming rhythm of your isolation
that you are painfully slow to adjust
if only because
yours is not that genre of story
still and again, life cannot muster the stuff of movies
no bullets shattering glass
instead fear sits patiently
fear almost smiles when you finally see him
though you have kept him waiting for thirty-three years
and now he has let himself in
and he has brought you fistfuls of teenage nightmares
though you think you see, in your naivete
that he is empty handed
and this brings you great relief
at the time

Harmonics from the guitar ring as a horror movie soundtrack to the conversational tone of the narrator as she tells this tale.