Aimee Mann - @#%&*! Smilers

After hearing only one of Aimee Mann’s songs on the soundtrack for Zach Braff’s The Last Kiss, I was excited by the opportunity to hear more material. Her new album "@#%&*! Smilers" was unfortunately somewhat disappointing.

Eager to be fair I gave the album numerous chances, but with every listen I found myself brought back to my initial impressions – it isn’t horrible, she isn’t without talent, it just doesn’t thrill me.

The opening track Freeway feels predictable and a tad forced, which is an impression that remains – in varying degrees – throughout the album. The rhymes are tedious and obvious, with metaphors that just seem silly “you love me like a dollar bill, you roll me up and trade me in”.

Whilst appreciating the sentiment of its title, the appeal of @#%&*! Smilers, somehow eludes me. It feels as if, in some parallel universe I would quite enjoy it, however, in this world, I’m still a half-step away from truly getting it.