There's not much in Aimee Mann's past that would suggest that she would record a holiday album. Ever since launching a solo career in 1993 with Whatever, she's steadily built a reputation as a consummate singer/songwriter, renowned for her intelligent craft, which perhaps peaked around the turn of the century when she provided songs for Paul Thomas Anderson's third film, Magnolia, which led to her excellent third album, Bachelor No. 2. Since that project, Mann's work remained at a typically high level, but her subsequent albums -- 2002's Lost in Space and 2005's The Forgotten Arm -- were a touch too studied and deliberate, certainly not the kinds of records that would point the way toward a holiday excursion like 2006's One More Drifter in the Snow. Not that this Christmas album is far removed from the music Mann has made over the past decade: it's hushed and intimate, filled with antique keyboards that occasionally exude a mildly carnivalesque vibe, so it does feel of a piece with Mann's last few albums, yet the tone is different. Of course, part of the change in tone is that this is a holiday album, and Mann clearly intends for One More Drifter in the Snow to be played alongside classic '50s Christmas albums from Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. This album has a similarly appealing, warm and lazy, jazzy vibe -- a sound that evokes the holiday season for millions of listeners, and Mann should be commended not only for nailing that sound, but writing an original called "Calling on Mary" that fits comfortably next to "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland" (her husband Michael Penn's "Christmastime" also fits nicely). So, the album feels right, but even better for Mann fans -- especially those skeptical about a Christmas record -- One More Drifter in the Snow finds the singer/songwriter in top form as a performer, turning in the loosest, friendliest recording she's made in years. There's little of the self-consciousness that hampered Lost in Space and The Forgotten Arm; she sounds as if she's having fun making this music, which not only makes for a good Christmas record, but bodes well for her next proper pop album.
The 'girl' has always known when to leave a party...Have decided to cease posting, but wanted to take a moment to say farewell to all the wonderful moggers I've come to know these past months; MOG has been immensely satisfying due largely to the eclectic community inhabiting the site. Thanks so much for the fabulous music, comments, and insightful exchanges. Wishing all a lovely holiday season ...
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I was just browsing the pages of 101cd.com looking for Christmas presents for my sister and family and was surprised to see Aimee Mann has an upcoming album release. What surprised me even more is it's an album of Christmas songs. 'One More Drifter In The Snow' releases on the 27th of November in the UK. I believe It released on Halloween in the US, anyone heard it? Read the review from 101 bel...
More >
I just got Aimee Mann's new Christmas CD in the mail. No big whoop. I love her music, have seen her three times live, and she's awesome. So I expected a nice set of superbly performed yuletide music. I got what I expected. This song, "Calling on Mary," is a great ORIGINAL Christmas composition co-written by Aimee Mann. It's the CD's hidden lil' gem.
More >
Hoo boy! It looks like the law of diminishing returns is catching up to Aimee Mann, I am sorry to say. Today I received a Newsletter from her website advertising her new Christmas CD. Below is the photo that came with the news. Nice shot, but does she really have to open her shirt to show us Santa's Little Helpers? Maybe she's trying to distract us from the track list:1. Whatever Happened to ...
More >
The 'girl' has always known when to leave a party...Have decided to cease posting, but wanted to take a moment to say farewell to all the wonderful moggers I've come to know these past months; MOG has been immensely satisfying due largely to the eclectic community inhabiting the site. Thanks so much for the fabulous music, comments, and insightful exchanges. Wishing all a lovely holiday season ...
More >
Hoo boy! It looks like the law of diminishing returns is catching up to Aimee Mann, I am sorry to say. Today I received a Newsletter from her website advertising her new Christmas CD. Below is the photo that came with the news. Nice shot, but does she really have to open her shirt to show us Santa's Little Helpers? Maybe she's trying to distract us from the track list:1. Whatever Happened to ...
More >
I was just browsing the pages of 101cd.com looking for Christmas presents for my sister and family and was surprised to see Aimee Mann has an upcoming album release. What surprised me even more is it's an album of Christmas songs. 'One More Drifter In The Snow' releases on the 27th of November in the UK. I believe It released on Halloween in the US, anyone heard it? Read the review from 101 bel...
More >
I just got Aimee Mann's new Christmas CD in the mail. No big whoop. I love her music, have seen her three times live, and she's awesome. So I expected a nice set of superbly performed yuletide music. I got what I expected. This song, "Calling on Mary," is a great ORIGINAL Christmas composition co-written by Aimee Mann. It's the CD's hidden lil' gem.
More >
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 "One More Drifter in the Snow")
