Aimee Mann "Charmer"

I was really happy to hear the new Aimee Mann track, and even happier to read what her press release had to say about her new album "Charmer":

Influenced by what Mann calls the “super pop” of the 70s and 80s, the album is her first release since 2008’s celebrated @#%&*! Smilers . . .

I've enjoyed following Aimee Mann's solo work for the last two decades, and was happy to wind down the tributaries she wanted to explore on albums like "Lost In Space."  But, despite the clear craft behind the sonic landscapes and atmospherics she was laying down, I always hoped she'd return to a more straight-up pop arena.

It's not for nothing that she's been asked to participate in tributes to Harry Nilsson and Burt Bacharach and Hal David.  There can never be too much literate pop for my liking.


Hear the song on Youtube.

Harry Nilsson, Sun Ra & His Arkestra, Medley 5 : "Pink Elephants On Parade" & "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah"

Well this was a surprise to have pop up on the old player. And it brought an instant creepy feeling to my bones.

This is from a fairly bizarre project (bizarre for a major label, Disney-related release anyway) called “Stay Awake.” Modern interpretations of Disney classics.

I bought it solely for the Replacements cover of “Cruella De Ville,” but it’s full of small delights, and head-scratching curiousities. Bonnie Raitt doing “Baby Mine”? Absolutely. Tom Waits doing “Heigh Ho”? That’ll give the kids nightmares.

And that’s what immediately swept over me as “Pink Elephants On Parade” came up.

“Dumbo” was the first movie I ever saw. My Mom brought me to a theatre in my hometown, the kind of old palace that is now a furniture store. And I loved it, but the whole “Pink Elephants” drunken dream weirded me out. If I’d seen it as an adult, it would probably seem tame, but it was so unsettling as a kid, I’ve never rewatched it.

And Sun Ra’s take does nothing to make you feel the whimsical delight of Disney’s story of a flying elephant.

Hear Harry Nilsson, Sun Ra & His Arkestra, Medley 5 : "Pink Elephants On Parade" & "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah"

If you're not too terrified, you can see the video, here