REVIEW: Aimee Mann, Music From The Motion Picture
Magnolia
- Joann D. Ball
Eight Aimee Mann originals and her superior cover of Harry Nilsson's "One" make Music From The Motion Picture Magnolia a quality soundtrack worthy of commercial and critical recognition. And Aimee Mann's songs are also the central element which makes the film Magnolia a uniquely crafted cinematic experience.
That singer/songwriter Aimee Mann is capable of accomplishing so much with her music is perhaps only surprising to record company naysayers who passed on some of the very same songs that inspired film director Paul Thomas Anderson. An ardent Aimee Mann fan and close friend, Anderson listened to Mann's music constantly while writing the incredible film which has received Golden Globe and Academy Award recognition. Mann's tenderly honest "Deathly" was Anderson's original inspiration for the film's central character Claudia. And he used her simple and straightforward introspective number "Wise Up" to connect all of the movie's main characters in an unforgettable sing along film sequence. And yes, "Wise Up," an emotionally rich, piano and strings crafted masterpiece, has also received Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations.
Another friend, fellow musician and producer Jon Brion, also figures prominently in Aimee Mann's solo success-at-last story that is Music From The Motion Picture Magnolia. Brion liberally contributes his musicianship, sound sensibilities and production skills on the soundtrack opener "One" and also on "Momentum." Both songs echo the fresh and innovative approach he displayed on Mann's critically acclaimed 1996 effort I'm With Stupid. In addition to his work on these tracks, Brion also plays a variety of instruments on "Build That Wall" which he co-wrote with Mann, the aforementioned "Deathly" which he also produced, and "Wise Up" which was produced by Mann's husband Michael Penn. Mann works just as well without the studio wizard as suggested on "You Do," the instrumental "Nothing Is Good Enough" and the rollicking "Driving Sideways." In addition to "You Do," Mann also self-produced "Save Me," a trademark vulnerable plea of longing which completes her contributions to the soundtrack. Driven by her acoustic guitar and bass over a simple drum beat and lightly accented with accordion, "Save Me" especially suggests that Bachelor No. 2, Mann's full-length third solo release, will be her best to date.
Supertramp's classics "Goodbye Stranger" and "Logical Song," Gabrielle's dance smash "Dreams" and an original instrumental title track from Jon Brion round out Music From The Motion Picture Magnolia. These songs also appear at key moments in the film, but it is clear that without Mann's nine offerings Magnolia and its soundtrack would be simply status quo. And that is exactly why director Paul Thomas Anderson completely gives Mann the compliment and credit she has long deserved by suggesting that "you can look at the movie as the perfect memento to remember the songs that Aimee has made."
Available in stores nationwide, Music From The Motion Picture Magnolia.can be purchased also from the Aimee Mann Direct store on her website http://www.aimeemann.com along with the initial Internet exclusive release of Bachelor No. 2. The online Aimee Mann Direct store also carries Mann's first two solo efforts, the three '80s records from her band 'til Tuesday, as well as other non-musical merchandise. Tour dates, lyrics and other information can also be found on the website.
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