I’ve got a backlog of stuff I never reviewed last year, so I’m going to try and post a few of them over the next couple days. I’m right in the middle of an insanely busy time of year. I’ve got finals, immediately followed by the last two debate tournaments of my life as a (relatively) full-time debate coach. It’s going to the coolest.
But anyways, I need the occasional break, so posting on some of this stuff will be a nice respite.
True Believer – Aimee Mann
I grow increasingly frustrated with Aimee Mann with every album. It’s not that they’re bad – by any stretch – it’s just that she seems insistent on sounding more and more dour with each record. She’s an amazing songwriter with a wonderful, earthy voice. And she can write songs like this with ease. Which is all nice enough. But I miss the majesty, the explosions, the overwhelming pathos of the Magnolia soundtrack. Set yourself free, Aimee. Mix things up and let songs like this feel like the comfortable pillow that we land back on after dancing in the clouds. Don’t get me wrong, @#%&*! Smilers is a good album and well worth your time. I just know that it could have been truly great.
Looking Into It – All Girl Summer Fun Band
I’ll admit I have a hard time taking a band called the All Girl Summer Fun Band seriously. That said, they’ve always been one of those bands I felt like I should like more than I actually did. Sunny little pop songs are totally my thing, but it just never really clicked. On Looking Into It, that finally changed. It helps that they got a little more introspective – and that they upped the production values without letting that turn into nothing more than an effort to “clean up” the sound.
There’s some delightful little pop songs that still manage to pack a bit of a punch – “Lost” for example. But definitely my favorite song is the title track, partly because it’s so simple. On balance, I’d almost always prefer a song with words – it’s such a big a part of the experience for me. But sometimes there’s a track that’s perfect without the complications. “Looking Into It” is one of those. Only 2:19 long, it’s the sort of song you want to carry around in your pocket, folded up in your wallet with pictures yourself as a 9 year old with dorky glasses and random cards you never use – just so it’ll be there whenever that perfect moment comes. Sadly, I don’t have a wallet, so I’m stuck listening to it on an iPod. The 21st century strikes again, I suppose.