Since I usually rip all the new releases to shreds I figure I will put myself out there.

I think this is the best album of the year, no electric guitar as in the past to emphasize the melodies, a keyboard does just fine.

Great melancholy moments, the background vocals provided by bass player and producer Paul Bryan are absolutely perfect.

Horns on several songs. A very Feist sounding song called Ballentines.

I think with the exception of Ryan Adams, Miss Mann is the most talented and consistent songwriter in the last decade.

Hope you guys enjoying this as much as I am.
[Edited 6/19/08 11:41am]
[Edited 6/19/08 11:42am]

aalloca said:

Saw her last night at the House of Blues in Dallas...

She's flippin awesome.. love her... great show!!!

Equally as good as Aimee Mann's new CD is the new CD from Sam Phillips DON'T DO ANYTHING. It's fantastic!!!!

Wow! You guys are freaking me out. In Hollywood on June 3rd, Aimee played a quick 'release party' set at the Amoeba records store at 6pm and Sam played a quick 'release party' set across the street at Border's at 7pm. I was able to see them both play on the date of their record releases and they were both amazing!

It's taking me some time to get into the two albums, though.

hmmm

I will check out the Sam Phillips album.

I listened again yesterday to the full album from Aimee, and it is just a masterpiece..

I might try to catch her live again, I saw her supporting the the forgotten arm and it was a great show in NYC, although Paul Bryan was not there.

I've been very interested in Aimme Mann for years but own nothing by her. Maybe I'll start here?

I still think Magnolia is her best work. If you have seen the movie you have heard her songs.

For a real easy top down experience buy Live at St. Ann's it has all her classic songs recorded in Brooklyn with a great band. It is both a cd and dvd for I think $18.

aalloca said:

bachelor n.2
is better

Jestyr said:

...and the plot thickens.

Looking over the liner notes of both CDs, it turns out Aimee and Sam used the same musicians:

Paul Bryan: Bass
Jay Bellerose: Drums
Eric Gorfain: Violin

and recorded at Sunset Sound and The Sound Factory; both owned by the same guy, Paul Camarata. Check it out for yourselves!

Don't mind me though; I'm clearly just having a conversation with myself.

Jestyr said:

That is very interesting.. I will def check out her album. Is Smilers growing on you yet?

VinnyM27 said:

She is an excellent artist, i do agree that next to Ryan Adams she is probably the best artist of the decade, i would include Norah Jones in the mix too.

aalloca said:

I listened through it again last night, in a much better mood, and really got into it. I wish I knew what she was talking about half the time, but I am really feeling 31 Today and Stranger into Starman!

Here's a little tid bit...

When I was younger (31 now)... I used to know every word to every song, now no matter how much I listen to a song I barely register the words.

I think I changed in the way I listen, where melody and chord structure, in addition in no small way to the mood make more of a diff.

With Aimee very rarely do I pay attention to the lyrics, since the song has already taken me to the place via the above mentioned.

She does mumble, but I think they provide lyrics in the book to help you sing along.

Glad you gave it another spin. I often find sometimes I am just impatient, bad mood, or not ready to like an album.

aalloca said:

Im actually the exact opposite. I need lyrics now, the song has to take me somewhere or i cant even go back to it. The lyrics at most have to create an image or let me create an image or else its just useless to me after a few listens

aalloca said:

Yeah, I guess I was ready! I like that idea of listening for melody first and letting that drive your interest in the song, but I'm usually pretty quick at picking up where a tune is going melody-wise and the lyrics are a 'capper' to what makes a great track. When you're an expert in the craft musically, like Aimee is, the lyrics are what your audience listens for because the tune or melody is going to be pretty straight-forward. When I said I wish I knew what she was talking about, what I meant was the meaning behind the lyrics. Subtext. I had already read them in the booklet. I bought the deluxe version with the the cool binding - such a great piece!

Thanks for sharing your veiw on it with me, aalloca!

The artwork kicks ass too!

I have been playing this non stop. I like Smilers better from a pure mixing standpoint vs Forgotten. On forgotten I think they tried to copy the Beatles with very hard left and right, but I found it really took away from the songs. Maybe it works better in mono?>??

But anyway Smilers is mixed perfectly, bass is still Paul McCarntney like, but without the hard separation is sounds more live if you will.