Bitch has developed a bad attitude. The lesbian duo Bitch and Animal created a following because they were as funny as they were angry. Odes to croquet and strap-ons sat right alongside diatribes against the President and rapists. But without her Animal, Bitch has lost most of her much needed humor. Make This Break This reads more like Ani DiFranco Lite; “Lite” meaning talent, not content. The violin and ukulele playing Bitch still raps and sings over everything from thumping beats to aching acoustic melodies, but she so angry and intense that it distracts. Here we still have songs about rapes, break-ups, and why men suck in general, but without any of the humor that offers people a chance to take a breath. This is the kind of stuff one would expect from a 17-year-old girl who was picked on in school, raped by her father, and has just come out.

That said, Bitch actually seems to be trying to make herself more accessible these days. Her concerts continue to be riotous, and she has recently appeared in the critically acclaimed John Cameron Mitchell movie Shortbus. On Make This, naughty words and subject matter are kept to a minimum. Nothing in here is remotely as shocking as a typical Liz Phair CD. She demonstrates her prowess with all stringed instruments, and certainly turns a clever phrase or two, but more often than not she merely spews venom with as much humor as a Dick Cheney speech.

Bitch plays Vinyl on December 9, with Melissa Ferrick. Doors 8 pm. Tickets $18 adv./$20 day of show. Find tickets

Official site: www.bitchmusic.com