Mann Channels The ’70s On ‘Forgotten Arm’
Singer/songwriter Aimee Mann revisits an earlier time and place on her next Superego album, “The Forgotten Arm,” due in March. “It’s a concept album and the concept, the vibe of the album, kind of dictated it,” she tells Billboard.com. “It takes place in the ’70s, and there were these sort of pictures in my mind that led me to a really specific sound.”
The Superego release marks a departure from past Mann albums in that it was recorded very quickly and with a live studio band, which required very few overdubs. Tracks include “Dear John” and “That’s How I Knew This Story Would Break My Heart.”
“I’m really excited about it,” says Mann. “For me, it’s a very different way to record and I think the songs are a little bit different. I never know if that difference really translates to other people, but to me it seems pretty radically different from my other records.”
“The Forgotten Arm” is the follow-up to 2002’s “Lost in Space,” which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums chart. Mann says she will likely begin touring around the release date, which may include an appearance at the annual South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas.
However, fans can get a sneak preview of sorts on the recently released DVD/CD “Aimee Mann Live at St. Anne’s Warehouse,” which includes new album tracks “Going Through the Motions” and “King of the Jailhouse.”
Mann says filming the obligatory behind-the-scenes and interview footage for her maiden DVD was a unique experience.
“It’s always hard for me to believe that people really want to know the minutiae of what my favorite song is or what the band thinks about playing with me,” she admits. “It’s hard for me to think that would be interesting for anyone but I have to remind myself that anyone who buys a live DVD is probably interested in the artist enough.”
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