The Forgotten Arm - Aimee Mann
The Forgotten Arm Image
Metascore
70 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.5 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 31 Ratings

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  • Summary: Produced by Joe Henry, Mann's first studio disc in three years is a concept album about the life of a boxer during the 1970s.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. PopMatters
    90
    It's her darkest and most complex record to date, an examination of the centripetal destruction that consumes lives at the point of no return.
  2. Uncut
    80
    Songs unfold as complex relationships, with attendant euphoria, doubt and internal demons. [May 2005, p.112]
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  3. Mojo
    60
    An unfussy affair. [Jun 2005, p.108]
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  4. The A.V. Club
    30
    Mann's signature wordplay sounds clichéd and exhausted, and her melodies lack the energy and pop sparkle that distinguished her pre-Lost In Space work.

See all 19 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. JoshH
    10
    Mann's best work yet. It took me a few listens to realize that. She's become much more on this album and Lost In Space -- even the transcendant Bachelor No. 2 had its flaws. The lyrics on "Goodbye Caroline" might be her finest. One of the top albums of the year.… Expand
  2. TimH
    8
    This album is still growing on me. Very very nice effort by Aimmee. Congrats
  3. SamD
    7
    On this site, i continue to hear the same thing; Lost in Space was dull. One, people who say that didn't listen to the lyrics whatsoever; It's Not, Today's the Day, and Real Bad News are some of the best, and most tragically beautiful, lyrics i have ever heard. So when I popped The Forgotten Arm, I was shocked to hear that some of the songs slipped a bit in the lyrical department. They were all still beautiful, but it seemed that Aimee wasn't behind all of them 100%. Goodbye Caroline and Beautiful captured my heart from the first go 'round, but the others will take a few more test drives before they become memorable.… Expand
  4. PaulJ
    0
    Can her albums get any duller? Her decline from the sublime "Whatever" to the ridiculous is now complete. How many times does she have to write and sing about the same thing? Enough is enough-only buy this album if you need help sleeping.… Expand

See all 20 User Reviews

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