RiffDraft

When I was a kid, I formed an instant connection and adoration for my favorite bands.  The first time I heard Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog” I was like, “What’s that!”  I went out and bought their albums one by one and let few other bands in.  I was exclusive with my favorite bands for extended periods of time.    4th -7th was Van Halen, 8th-10th was Led Zeppelin, etc.

I find now that my favorite artists seem to sort of sneak up on me.   I wake up one day and realize, “hey, you really like Aimee Mann.” But, I don’t feel like an Aimee Mann fan.  I don’t own a t-shirt (solid proof of teenage fanhood).  But, if you look at my top 25 most-played songs in my iTunes, you see Aimee Mann all over that list.  If you look in my car, you’ll see her CDs on the first page of my CD wallet.

Honestly, I listen to her more than I realize.  She is great to put on anytime: while I’m driving, cooking, working, or working out.  She does two things, that few other artists do, which I think speaks to her amazing qualities as an artist: 1) she has created a sound that is all her own.  I can’t describe it, but I think it has something to do with the underlying melody of the bass guitar.  It’s always thick with a slow hint of swing, accented by spare, nimbly-played drums.  There’s actually a lot of California sunsets, freeways, breezes, etc. in the mix, as well.  2) she can write in waltz time (3/4).  That’s an old Beatles trick (think, “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”) and she does it well.  It sounds so easy and effortless, but it’s hard to write a waltz time song without it sounding hokie and country.  Few other modern artists have been able to write effective waltz time songs (Elliott Smith could).

This year, Aimee Mann has a new album out called @#%&*! Smilers.  It’s typical Aimee Mann and comes in an interesting booklet package. I like it, but then again at this point, I like anything she does.