Bachelor No. 2 (or, the last remains of the dodo)
by Aimee Mann
  • Record Label: Superego
  • Release Date: May 2, 2000
Metascore
89

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. AllMusic
    90
    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.
  2. Rolling Stone
    80
    It's an album of tuneful, intimate pop-rock songs...
  3. Q Magazine
    80
    Yet again, Mann's songs concentrate on life gone wrong - but this is timeless stuff.
  5. Spin
    80
    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.
  6. Nude As The News
    80
    She retains her unique quality to marry upbeat, elegant melodies to witty lyrics that exhibit a disenchanted but honest take on life and love.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    A genuinely winning collection of sublime, old-school pop.
  8. CDNow
    80
    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.
  9. Wall of Sound
    90
    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.
  10. Mojo
    90
    Choosing favourites is almost futile with so much scintillating brilliance on offer.
  11. Ink Blot Magazine
    90
    Yet another emotion-evoking masterpiece.
  12. Sonicnet
    90
    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.
  13. The A.V. Club
    80
    An imperfect collection of remarkable music.
  14. Trouser Press
    80
    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.

Awards & Rankings

3
#3 Best Album of 2000
43
#43 Most Discussed Album of 2000
24
#24 Most Shared Album of 2000

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 38
  3. Negative: 5 out of 38
  1. salamandre
    Nov 7, 2022
    9
    Great album, very good singer-songwriter, good pop-rock, I really liked it.
  2. shaneequaj
    Jun 27, 2007
    10
    It's just a brilliant pop album. Hands down.
  3. SamD
    Nov 26, 2005
    10
    more pop than i would have liked, but most of the songs are incredible and aimee puts forth above average lyrics yet again
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