I'm with Stupid

Aimee Mann (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 30, 1996)
• Original Release Date: January 30, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fontana Geffen
• ASIN: B000003TBW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,018 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Alternative Rock > Singer-Songwriters

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

What we're getting here is what we've come to expect from this talented songstress: pop arrangements of literate songs that deal with knotty relationships involving lovers, critics, and corporations. Mann co-wrote a song with Elvis Costello for the final 'Til Tuesday album, and it was an apt pairing. Like Costello at his best, Aimee is equal parts adroit and direct. A couplet like "I came back twice, now I'm the Anti-Christ" or "A thousand compromises don't add up to a single win" may be accompanied by something a little more to the point--"Don't you know you're a fucking freak in this world?" Mann and producer/multi-instrumentalist Jon Brion keep the songs pithy and punchy, bringing on guests like Juliana Hatfield (on the particularly intoxicating "You Could Make a Killing"), Suede alumni Bernard Butler, Michael Penn, Chris Difford, and Glenn Tilbrook for occasional adornment, but mostly maintain a hands-on approach. The result frequently recalls Abby Road-period Beatles, which isn't a bad source. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nobody Says it Better, February 2, 2000

By	Mick Feeble (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This record is a masterpiece production. First, Aimee Mann's voice is crisp and clear, and seemingly unprocessed, it stands a little higher in the mix than most artists - but it works for her. Perhaps the reason it works so well is that her lyrics are fantastic, and they deserve to be heard.

The record follows the style of her previous release "Whatever", which also followed the style of Til Tuesday's final release "Everything's Different Now" (which could have more aptly been referred to as the first solo Aimee Mann record, because of it's stylistic divergence from previous Til Tuesday work).

Whereas "Whatever" was very polished and Beatles-influenced, "I'm With Stupid Now" intentionally takes a bit of the polish off. The recording and production is still stellar, but this time there are a lot of special effects, and subtleties put in, which give the album a feel of cohesiveness whereas "Whatever" may have seemed a little more sterile. In one track, there is actually the scratching of an old LP record mixed in quietly to the song (Amateur).

One of the strongest tracks on the song are "It's Not Safe", which is ironically the final song. In an age where artists often stack a record with the best 3 or 4 tracks up front, often followed by filler material, this stands as another example of Aimee Mann's bucking the system (another example being that the lyrics for this record are printed on the inside cover - in alphabetical order, word by word! So she has a sense of humor as well). "It's Not Safe" stands out in all aspects, but primarily the lyrics which discuss the topic of trying to be a good person in an inherently messed-up world. The sentiments she offers, "All you want to do is something good - so get ready to be ridiculed and misunderstood", are keenly stated.

Other very strong pieces include "Choice in the Matter" and "That's Just What You Are", both of which are catchy tales about painful relationships - a common theme for Aimee. In spite of her tendency to repeat these topics from song to song, her bitterness is tempered with hopefulness and enough creativity to never sound overdone.

Every song on this release is strong, so it is with hesitation that I list only the above. It is one of those records that you can listen to from start to finish and actually feel like you're going on an emotional ride.

I recommend it.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For those who are just familiarizing yourself with Aimee.., February 1, 2000

By A Customer

I'm writing this to those who have recently been acquainted with Ms. Mann since the release of the soundtrack, "Magnolia". As amazing as her songs featured in PT Anderson's film are--"I'm With Stupid" is tops. With little airplay, but awesome reviews..It's too bad that she wasn't selling then like she is now. But alas, she's finally getting what she has long deserved! I bought this album in '96 after hearing it in my brother's car. It's one of those rare CD's in which EVERY song is aesthetic to the ear and liberating to anyone who has ever suffered a broken heart (haven't we all? ) I've been enjoying IWS for 4 years now and have not let it gather dust. If you want to know who she is similar to, I cannot say. She stands alone. But if it's any help to you, other female artists that are high on my list are Ani Difranco, Liz Phair, and Fiona Apple.

Buy this CD--acquaint yourself with Aimee--support her--for she is a goddess of singing and songwriting.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Those Who have Never Heard a Melody, February 12, 2000

By	W. Christopher White (USA) - See all my reviews

I can certainly understand why Aimme Mann might be a bit unusual for a lot of people today, and for those of you trying to figure out just what it is about her music that makes it so different I can tell you. It is called a melody, and it is something that is sorely missing in today's music scene.

And it is melody that Aimee Mann has, and then some. The songs on both I'm With Stupid" and "Whatever" her two pre-"Magnolia" soundtrack solo albums are drenched in them. "I'm With Stupid" is a bit edgier, with production that is a bit rawer than "Whatever" but both are highly recommended.

Perhaps one day melody will return to the charts, and should that day arrive, Aimme will be there to take over. It won't be a moment too soon either.