The Forgotten Arm [Digipak] by Aimee Mann

Pros: No surprises. Just solid, classic pop/rock songwriting...
Cons: ...that nevertheless gets upstaged by some elaborate (and sexy) art direction.

…And then she took up boxing. Some broads take up yoga, or pilates, or daytime talk shows, but she always said that there was only one thing she loved more than writing songs, and that was sparring – the word sounded so strange coming out of ...

Pros: A new direction for Aimee Mann-but a good one!
Cons: Honestly, I can't think of any. Its a really great album.

I first experienced "The Forgotten Arm" at a Largo show last Spring.

As a long time Aimee fan, it was exciting to go to a show and learn that Aimee would preview the entire album she was working on in its entirety from start to finish.

From the first time I heard these songs, I could tell that something was different from Aimee's previous albums. As I've heard these songs at shows throughout this year, and now on the fully produced album, I feel that this album pushes the previous boundaries of her earlier recordings. Being a concept album, this album has a kind of momentum that makes you want to listen to it as a whole rather than bit by bit. I found this somewhat with "Lost In Space" but even more so with "The Forgotten Arm" Of course the record still is infused with Aimee's keen observations about what it means to be human, to struggle and to overcome.

It has been great to see this album grow into what it is-which is a great step in a new direction and a highly thought provoking and listenable album that both new and old fans should enjoy!