- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
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MojoSmilers is a masterpiece from a songwriter who's quietly chronicling the blanched last days of a sunshine empire. [July 2008, p.112]
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Smilers proves Aimee Mann still has plenty to offer doing the same thing she's already been doing for the last fifteen years.
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Entertainment WeeklyHer yarns prove just as lovely as they are doeful. [13 June 2008]
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After 2005 concept album "The Forgotten Arm" was poorly received, Aimee Mann is back to writing stand-alone pop songs, and lo and behold, they comprise her most compelling album to date.
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As usual that pep is paired with tunes that seep into your brain with the stealth of Mann's own beguiling murmur and lyrics that range from poetic to narrative.
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This time, the strong songwriting and astute musical arrangements combine to make Mann's latest her best album so far.
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Another nuanced collection of mid-tempo '70s-pop-referencing tunes that document the lives of folks who manage only fleeting moments of happiness between protracted stretches of frustration.
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At its heart it's just a collection of songs, but it's that rare thing for a songwriter: it works as a piece of writing and a sterling pop album of its own.
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The result is simply a more keyboard-centric entry into her consistently excellent solo catalog.
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Q MagazineIt isn't any different to where she's been before, it's simply that quality levels remain uniformly high. [Aug 2008, p.139]
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@#%&*! Smilers walks its own path as a uniquely beautiful addition to Mann’s already impressive catalogue.
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BlenderWith its stories of faithless lovers, broken relationships and speed-dealing suburban doctors, @#%&*! Smilers almost seems to feed off the stagnation. [Aug 2008, p.88]
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@#%&*! Smilers offers craft and monotony in equal measure.
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Her wise, bitter lyrics never let her listeners off the hook; it'd be nice to hear her challenge herself as well.
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Mann’s new record is smooth, moody, and a bit undistinguished.
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UncutHer decision to forgo electric guitars on @#%&*! Smilers results in the aural equivalent of watercolour washes, lovely and tasteful but lacking presence. [July 2008, p.102]
User score distribution:
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Positive: 18 out of 24
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Mixed: 2 out of 24
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Negative: 4 out of 24
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HollyJun 21, 2008
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JamesR.Jun 14, 2008Great job.
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JeffD.Jun 12, 2008Her best yet.