Aimee Mann: Christmas album?
November 26, 2006
So we’re putting up this year’s War On Christmas tree and I break out the Christmas music. First is the Charlie Brown Christmas album by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, which is something of a tradition now—insofar as the last three years or so can be called “tradition.” With that over, we’re in uncharted territory. I have Aimee Mann’s new CD: One More Drifter in the Snow.
Aimee Mann’s had a pretty successful solo career crafting wry, sarcastic little smart-pop albums about misguided love. Having mastered the art of the apathetic, cynical kiss-off song it’s only natural that she would turn her considerable melancholic talents to “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.” And bring her own special touch to the songs she does: when she sings “Although its been said many times many ways / Merry Christmas to you,” it makes you want to call the suicide prevention hotline.
One highlight is her rendition of “You’re a Mean One, Mister Grinch.” But still sounds thin next to Thurle Ravenscroft’s original, and is weakened a bit by a narrator who can’t hold a candle to Boris Karloff. But personally I like my Christmas music to be a little more James Brown and a little less existential angst. And it wasn’t too long before we retreated back into “Go Power at Christmastime.”
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November 27th, 2006 at 10:07 am
I like Aimee Mann, but yeah, only to a point. I tend to think of her, sort of, as a less annoying Joni Mitchell. (For the record, I think Mitchell’s a great songwriter, but I’ve never been able to really get into her as a singer.) The Christmas album seemed like a weird departure for her. But, from your description, I guess maybe it isn’t…which is maybe part of the problem. I dunno.
And you do realize it’s still November, right? I’m just saying.
November 27th, 2006 at 1:32 pm
Interesting thoughts, but doesn’t it go without saying that her “Your a Mean One, Mister Grinch” would sound thin next to Thurl Ravenscroft? Hell, the Bells of St. Mary’s sound thin next to Thurl Ravenscroft. Mount Saint Helens sounds thin next to Thurl Ravenscroft. I defy you to find me a sound that does not sound thin next to Thurl. Can’t be done.
November 27th, 2006 at 8:23 pm
Fred, I’m sure there’s a state of mind the Aimee Mann album suits, but still—I don’t think the world needed another rendition of “Chestnuts Roasting� no matter how well done. Also: you mean you don’t put up your tree immediately after Thanksgiving? How weird.
Glen: It’s a fair point; Jim Nabors or T.E. Ford might have been able to compete. But if you know you’re going to be lacking in that department (and how could you not know), you ought to be able to add something as well.
November 28th, 2006 at 9:50 am
I refuse to have the Christmas season, much less spirit, forced upon me, especially a full month before the holiday itself. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no Scrooge, but, if anything, I’m a big believer in a literal 12 days of Christmas. Give me a week, or two, of all the songs, lights, and decorations you want — but not more than that.
I tell you, if there is a war on Christmas, Christmas is winning, and big time.
But because Salon was offering one of the tracks on Mann’s new album, I gave it a listen. I definitely like her a lot more than Joni Mitchell, and the song was good, but it does seem designed mainly for people who think “Blue Christmas” is too upbeat and peppy.
December 2nd, 2007 at 10:42 am
[...] are about as festive as a Robert Frost poem (Whose woods these are I think I know…). The Aimee Mann Christmas album will not be played while there are razor blades nearby. And I suspect I outgrew the [...]