by Aimee Mann
SuperEgo Records, 2000

the sound: With a voice like candy-infused whiskey, Aimee Mann really fine-tuned her skills as a singer and songwriter on “Bachelor No. 2,” her third solo album. More cynical pop than her two previous releases, Mann is a master of upbeat, sweet tunes with melancholy lyrics that always feature a little something else to give them a magical feel. “Nothing is Good Enough” is a plunky piano waltz in which Mann expresses frustration over her inability to please. “Driving Sideways” is piano-driven, with an angry guitar riff to accompany the lyrics. “If you roll down the window you’ll see / you’re where you don’t belong / and your companion will not help you to navigate / for fear she may be wrong,” Mann sings. She perfectly captures the apathetic tone of Daniel Clewes’ graphic novel “Ghost World” with a song by the same name. “So I’m bailing this town / or tearing it down / or probably more like hanging around,” she narrates. “Just Like Anyone” is a mournful string orchestration in which Mann sings of her failure to prevent a friend from committing suicide. And the album’s opening track, “How Am I Different?” about a break-up, is catchy, with Mann’s voice at its crystal clearest as she’s gradually joined by piano, guitar and strings. The words drip with sarcasm: “Just one question before I pack / when you fuck it up later do I get my money back?”

the background: Mann’s two previous solo albums, 1993’s “Whatever” and 1995’s “I’m With Stupid,” were both released to massive critical acclaim but had weak sales. When presented with “Bachelor No. 2” in 1999, Mann’s label, Geffen Records, felt there were no hit singles and wanted her to make massive changes before releasing it. Instead, Mann purchased the rights back from Geffen and started her own label, Super Ego Records, under which she sold the album exclusively through her Web site and at concerts. Paul Thomas Anderson went on to use several of the songs from “Bachelor No. 2,” as well as a few new tracks from Mann, in his film “Magnolia.”

the significance: In a time when iTunes and CD Baby were still relatively unknown, Mann became one of the first artists to achieve success with online sales, with “Bachelor No. 2” selling 25,000 copies on her Web site before it was released commercially. Mann continues to grow as a solo performer, releasing her sixth album, “@#%&*! Smilers,” in 2008. And although she doesn’t spend much time talking about her days as lead singer for the ’80s pop band Til Tuesday, she occasionally plays “Voices Carry” live, as her pitch for a Verizon commercial. For less music and serious laughs, check out Mann’s version of “A Christmas Carol” on YouTube, featuring John C. Reilly and Michael Cera.