Aimee Mann

Former leader of '80s one-hit-wonders Til Tuesday, Aimee Mann has evolved into a singularly crafty songwriter, and waded through years of label limbo to find success on her own terms, touring and smithing albums at a self-described pace.

Her first solo album Whatever coughed up a couple well-received singles, but a major stylistic leap marked 1995's I'm With Stupid, which should have had an arrow on the cover art pointing to her old record label, Imago, which delayed the release of the album numerous times after folding (losing momentum gained by "That's Just What You Are" being included on the "Melrose Place" soundtrack), despite the obvious quality of the elegant rock-pop compositions contained within.

Its follow-up was delayed numerous times as well, Mann eventually buying it back from her label Reprise and releasing it herself, via her Web site and Superego Records imprint. This coincided with pal Paul Thomas Anderson being so inspired by some of her new music that he wrote a movie, "Magnolia," populated with characters drawn from Mann's songs. Said songs in turn populated the soundtrack, and earned Mann an Oscar nomination.

The album, Bachelor No. 2, ended up being her biggest seller, and taking Mann's career to unexpected new heights. The addiction-themed Lost In Space followed in 2002, Mann continuing to ply her trade the best way she knows how, with sweetly crooned and delicately balanced tales of regret and depression told as by a masterful poet.

Album reviews

Bachelor No. 2
Superego (2000)
Aimee Mann finally took matters into her own hands.

'Magnolia' Original Soundtrack
Reprise (1999)
Director Paul Thomas Anderson's liner notes for the soundtrack to his film "Magnolia" explain that the movie was written as an adaptation of Aimee Mann songs.

Concert reviews

March 13, 2000
Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis
Their A&R men may have said they don't hear a single, but their future is wide open.