Aimee Mann

Motion Picture Magnolia

Can of worms

Review Score:

(8/10)
We longtime Aimee Mann fans are reeling with shock these days. The Magnolia soundtrack at number 13 in sales at Amazon.com? Over 90 reviews?

Huh?

Word has finally gotten out and our beloved Aimee is at last getting much deserved recognition for her solo work. Funny then, that it should be for this album, which is fine by anyone's standards (Mann's included), but lacks the coherence of her other work. As "popomatic" points out below, most of the songs were not actually written for the film, which gives the soundtrack a rather patchwork, piecey sort of feel to it, especially when compared with the organic wholes that are "Whatever" and I'm with Stupid".

Not that the pieces are bad, however. In fact, "Wise Up" and "Momentum"-which was originally a b-side(!) back in 1994-rank among her best. "Deathly" is tremendous and "Save Me" gets more exquisite with each listen. In fact, the only disappointment is the instrumental, though the full version on her upcoming "Bachelor No.2" album is much better. No, this is not so much an Aimee Mann album as a collection of some very good songs.

Like the film, these songs are subtle, witty and restrained. If you like your music in your face, you will be bored by this. It's quiet, personal stuff, and so is bound to not please everyone. But if quirky, cerebral, irresistably catchy, folky pop sounds even remotely interesting, your neighbors will curse the day you bought this disc. Or more likely, they'll ask you to make a copy for them.

But be warned, Aimee virgins. Her three other solo albums are even better.

More Reviews: