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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

Bachelor No. 2 (or, the last remains of the dodo)
by Aimee Mann


9.7

based on 13 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 18 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

The third solo release from the former 'Til Tuesday leader finally made it to record stores in May 2000, after a long journey that saw Interscope refuse to release the album and Mann issue it on her own SuperEgo label (after selling it through mail order and at her live performances). All's well that ends well, though, as Mann gained widespread acclaim for her soundtrack to P.T. Anderson's film "Magnolia" and even better reviews for this album, which contains four of the tracks from the soundtrack as well as nine additional songs.

LABEL:	SuperEgo
RELEASE DATE:	02 May 2000
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Rock, Pop, Alternative

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Entertainment Weekly

A genuinely winning collection of sublime, old-school pop.

All Music Guide

To call Bachelor No. 2 a masterpiece may be overstating the matter somewhat, since an album this intimate and unassuming (but not unconfident) doesn't call attention to itself the way self-styled masterpieces do. However, it isn't hyperbole to call it the finest record Mann has made to date.

Wall of Sound

Bachelor No. 2 makes good on the promise hinted at by Mann's work on the Magnolia soundtrack. In her mastery of sophisticated melodies and sly turns-of-phrase, Mann brings to mind a number of heralded composers.

Mojo

Choosing favourites is almost futile with so much scintillating brilliance on offer.

Ink Blot Magazine

Yet another emotion-evoking masterpiece.

Sonicnet

On the evidence of her work here, one would have to say there really isn't any pop-rock composer writing more sophisticated material these days than Mann.

The Onion (A.V. Club)

An imperfect collection of remarkable music.

Trouser Press

The only complaint to be lodged against Bachelor No. 2, other than its partially duplicated track listing, is the mid-tempo groove from which Mann rarely extricates herself.

Rolling Stone

It's an album of tuneful, intimate pop-rock songs...

Q Magazine

Yet again, Mann's songs concentrate on life gone wrong - but this is timeless stuff.

Spin

A soundtrack nuanced enough for the rippling wit of Mann's lyrics.... These songs are layered and soft-spoken, to be sure, but also confident and rewarding of multiple listens. They are the sound of Aimee Mann growing as a songwriter. Yet the album also features the sound of Aimee Mann grousing about being a songwriter.

Nude As The News

She retains her unique quality to marry upbeat, elegant melodies to witty lyrics that exhibit a disenchanted but honest take on life and love.

CDNow

What dignifies her from the pack is her ability to blend accessible and likeable arrangements with messages that are simultaneously straightforward and enigmatic, jovial and pained.

The average user rating for this album is 9.7 (out of 10) based on 18 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

shaneequa j gave it a10:
It's just a brilliant pop album. Hands down.

Sam D gave it a10:
more pop than i would have liked, but most of the songs are incredible and aimee puts forth above average lyrics yet again

levvy gave it a9:
A fantastic album. Fave track: Backfire/You Do

rg gave it a10:
A gem. Truly a classic. Highly recommended.

Austin A gave it a10:
Perfect in every way imaginable.

Adam K gave it a10:
Nobody does it better than Mrs. Mann. Her pop craftsmanship is startingly beautiful and honest.

Michelle S. gave it a10:
A classic. Even though some of the songs on this album overlap the "Magnolia" soundtrack, I recommend buying both to fully appreciate the works of both Mann and Jon Brion.

Bachelor No. 2 (or, the last remains of the dodo) by Aimee Mann

Bachelor No. 2 (or, the last remains of the dodo)
by Aimee Mann