"Glass House" was nominated for the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.

Personnel: Ani DiFranco (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, concertina, keyboards, drums, percussion); Jason Mercer (vocals, upright bass, electric bass); Andy Stochansky (vocals, drums, talking drum); John M. (saxophone); John Mills (baritone saxophone); Jon Hassell , Gary Slechta (trumpet); Jon Blondell (trombone); Andrew G., Andrew Gilchrist (pump organ); Jerry Marotta (drums).

Audio Mixers: Andrew Gilchrist; Ani DiFranco.

Photographers: Asia Kepka; Albert Sanchez.

Unknown Contributor Role: Andy Stochansky.

One-woman cottage industry DiFranco remains true to her cause on her eleventh album (she's a seasoned vet at 28!). Still steadfastly independent, LITTLE PLASTIC CASTLES, like all her previous releases, is available only through her own Righteous Babe label, as DiFranco wards off the majors who offer to make her what she already is; The Next Big Thing. Fans of the female acoustic songwriter gestalt who are too smart for Alanis and too cool for Patty Larkin will find reason to rejoice in this album.

While DiFranco's lyrics still focus on personal politics and modern societal ills, there are expansive touches added to the arrangements of many songs here. "Deep Dish" and several others benefit from some well-placed horn stabs, and pump organ, concertina and talking drum all make appearances. Despite upping the instrumental ante, though, DiFranco's (naturally) self-production remains uncluttered, getting to the heart of her very personal observations.