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Thoughts on Aimee Mann....

I'm expecting her latest to arrive within hours on lp.

I've seen her twice in the same city. The first time was her last show of her tour. It coincided with the Eastern Music Festival in my town. It was a small college venue. She was upbeat and kind of inspired, upon reflection. She invited several guests to come on stage and play various instruments to one song. It was a great evening!!

I saw her a year later on her f### smilers tour in town. A different venue. She performed alone. The evening was a BIG disappointment! Not only did she have little motivation/interest in being there, the sound was awefull!

I know that she has great songwriting ability. I auditioned her latest before ordering. It seemed exceptional.

Any thoughts!
128x128slaw
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slaw OP
21,566 posts
 
Have any of you heard The Both. Impressions?
maxnewid
449 posts
 
I really like the f&##smilers album. I also got turned onto her in the Til Tuesday days. I remember reading an interview with them where on their 2nd album they used Rhett Davies as a producer because they admired the sound from Roxy Music's "Avalon" album. I am a huge Bryan Ferry fan and thought Aimee's desire to match the sound standard of Avalon was a terrific goal. Been a fan ever since. 
loomisjohnson
1,946 posts
 
the both is a mixed bag for me, mainly because the production is demo quality + ted leo is, frankly, a terrible singer whose yowl is particularly ill-suited to aimee's dulcet tones. that said, the songs are by-and-large there, with "gambler" and "you can't help me now" being genuinely great.

i did find aimee's latest, mental illness, a let down--so laid back as to almost disappear. i will revisit it--her albums have a tendency to grow on you. i initally discarded "the forgotten arm" before coming back to it and recognizing its brilliance.

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bdp24
9,814 posts
 
Aimee's voice and melodies are just so delicious and irresistible!
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slaw OP
21,566 posts
 
I have listened to "Mental Illness" on lp now once. I have to say I enjoyed it. While it doesn't really break any new ground, the sonics are VERY good and to me, it's the best balanced lp I own of her solo stuff. Overall, it is an even keeled record with no stand out songs. There is the accompaniment of a quartet that adds to this latest effort. Glad I bought it.
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