Aimee Mann - 4th of July

I have Elvis Costello to thank for introducing me to the American singer-songwriter Aimee Mann (sadly not literally - although I did shake his hand after the 2001 Europa Cup final in Dortmund, but that is another story) .  He loved her first solo album "Whatever", and raved about it in several interviews.

By 1992, Mann was in a turmoil, as her previous group, the underrated 'Til Tuesday, were dissolving, and her romantic relationship with co-lead singer Jules Shear had already ended.  She decided  to move away from the group's  1980s new wave layered pop sound  to a more personal, confessional  and acoustic guitar-led sound.

I first heard ""4th of July"  on a Q magazine sampler CD , and  I was instantly hooked from the start.  The strummed acoustic guitar introduction, then the sorry, bleak  opening line - "Todays the 4th of July".  It is immediately obvious this is a tale of sadness and regret  -  " And when they light up our town I just think / What a waste of gunpowder and sky ". She cannot share the happiness of the crowd on this American holiday.  Her life is full of regret at past events, probably the dissolution of a relationship or marriage -  "I can't quell my past".  

The chorus is a little more bitter, hoping that her ex-lover realises he made a big mistake, but she knows it is too late. Then it is back today and her boring and monotonous  life - "Another chapter in a book where the chapters are endless /And they're always the same ". Time is passing her by, slowly. Mann is a such a crafted  writer,  and the attraction for Costello is obvious, as not many pop stars use words like quell or pathos.

The backing is led by Mann's acoustic guitar, and it is no coincidence that several of my favourite songs  have this feature, as there is a purity and simplicity that is irresistible.  It is complemented by a mellotron, vibraphone and drums, but they are used sparingly and low key. The focus is on the guitar and vocals.

 She has frequently used heartbreak and sadness throughout her solo career (even titling an album "Mental Illness"), but it is never depressing.  She also has a nice line in self-depreciation, as displayed  in concert  or her guest spot on "Portlandia".

Aimee Mann has never  sold a large quantity of albums, but has a fiercely loyal band of followers, like Costello, director PT Anderson (the film "Magnolia" was based around her songs), Coen Brothers (she lost a toe in "The Big Lebowski"),  Nick Hornby (she might be in his book "31 Songs", but I haven't read it) and myself.

Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOYI85anqmQ

Hear Next -  "Whatever" is sill probably her best album, but "Bachelor No 2" is not far behind, as it includes her Oscar nominated song "Save Me", but then I have enjoyed all of her 8 solo albums.


** The book of "Song from a Quarantine" is now available  on all Amazon sites in paperback and ebook formats.