Search - Aimee Mann :: Bachelor No. 2

Ignore The Review Below--This is a Timeless Classic

M. Goldner | boulder, co United States | 12/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD never gets old. I love a lot of the stuff that Aimee has done, but this is my favorite from start to finish. "Red Vines", "How Am I Different" and "Deathly" (to name 3) rank with Aimee's finest work--thoughtful, original lyrics set against highly melodic, catchy, almost Beatlesque rock. What strikes me about Bachelor #2 is how it stands up to repeated (and repeated) play. I buy a lot of music, and this is definitely one of my Top Ten of the last ten years or so. Take my word for it. If you like good music, you'll love Bachelor #2."

Just Buy It!

Mel R. Scurbica | USA | 03/20/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I lived in Boston when Aimee Mann arrived on the national music scene with Till Tuesday. I cringed every time "Voices Carry" came on the radio, which was about once every 10 minutes. It was more fun to hear Gang Green at the Rat cover the song as an angry punk song.



I knew that Aimee Mann had a solo career but really didn't know much about it. I mean, it's not like her record company ever *promoted* her or anything. (And now that rock 'n' roll radio is dead, you'll *never* hear Aimee Mann's music on the radio.)



In 2003 or so, my wife and I caught her at UCLA in Los Angeles. The show was great. The shining moment of the gig was when they played Deathly. It was one of the most memorable experiences of any concert I've ever been to, and I've been to more than most people.



After that, I was hooked. My wife bought me this album and I went out and bought all the others.



So buy this album. Buy all of Aimee's albums. You won't be sorry."

Fires on all cylinders...

MassiveAttack | New Orleans | 02/15/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"We live in an age that gives most of us access to virtually every recording ever made, and as a result some of us have 1000's of albums. Still, precious few manage to stay in constant rotation. For me, "Bachelor #2" is one of them.



There is some prime, desperate music here. My personal favorite, "Driving Sideways" is not only lyrically searing, but that guitar solo is one of the most powerful in recent memory, particularly from this genre that leans more towards structure than the shreds. Great tune.



My second favorite, "Deathly," manages a feeling of dread and cynicism that's gonna ring true with a lot of people. And, interestingly enough, it sports more crunchy, ethereal guitar work. While I generally gave up air guitar once I hit my 30's, I still get caught now and again with this one. Damn that's embarrassing.



There is a manifest Beatles influence here, and I'm willing to bet that you'll find few people who object to this. It also appears in her husband's (M. Penn) work. It's most clearly evidenced with the ultra-pop backing harmonies, but also sneaks in with subtle trumpets here and there. And, like the Beatles before her, the hooks here are infectious and instantly addictive.



The content here isn't puppy dogs and rainbows, not by a long shot. But the marriage of desperate (again with that word) lyrics and the consummate pop craftsmanship makes this one of THE best albums I own. I have turned many people on to it - people cut from all sorts of cloths, and every single one of them LOVE it. And though five stars is an almost perfunctory rating given by fanboys and tossed around with as much depth as "I love you" or, "The check is in the mail" - in this case I dole out the 5 because this album is a true masterpiece. I'm not the ultimate arbiter of Taste and you should take my opinion for what it is. But wow, I hope for your sake that you get this album. I'm taking this one to the grave."