Singer/songwriters (and husband/wife) Aimee Mann and Michael Penn are preparing a one-two punch of concept albums, so to speak. Penn’s disc Mr. Hollywood, Jr. — 1947 focuses on post-WWII L.A. and will be out on his own Mimeograph Records 6/28. Mann’s concept album, The Forgotten Arm (out on her own SuperEgo Records 5/3) was inspired by her love of boxing (who knew?). She titled the disc after a boxing move and the song cycle revolves around a Vietnam vet/boxer/drug addict. Sounds like another awesome party record!
Actually, Stereogum <3s Aimee Mann. Arm is said to be deliberately reminscent of early ’70s LPs by The Band, Elton John, and … Rod Stewart? (“Every Picture Tells a Story is such a rocking record, but it’s mostly a 12-string acoustic turned up really loud,” she tells Ice).
Stream three tracks from The Forgotten Arm here.
 |
 |
Joe Henry’s producing the Mann disc. How can it go wrong? I mean, Joe Henry. Tiny Voices was amazing and he even managed to resurrect Solomon Burke. Plus his sister in law is Madonna.
But I don’t hold that against him.
Thanks Scott, this is great news. I love Amiee Mann.
these are great.
I <3 MP. So under-rated.
Yeah, I can’t wait for these records. BTW, Aimee Mann is rotating the songs she is streaming from her site every Tuesday, so check in again tommorrow to hear 3 more tracks from the record.
i can’t wait..she played 2 of the songs at one of her shows over the summer and they were fantastic.
yeah definately looking forward to it, love the stuff so far, aimee mann > everyone else
Aimee is playing some small gigs in New England and Michael’s first song is just awesome. I believe MP is one of the most under-rated (and under played) musician out there – Aimee gets a bit more press, but that’s cool.