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Mental Illness
by
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Mental Illness Image
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 43 Ratings

  • Summary: The singer-songwriter takes on her reputation for acoustic, depressing and dark songs with her ninth full-length studio release produced by Paul Bryan.
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Top Track

You Never Loved Me
Boy, when you go, you go Three thousand miles just so I'll know You never loved me You never loved me Then when you're gone, you're gone I know the... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Consequence
    Mar 21, 2017
    91
    For 44 minutes, Mann slips into the skin of someone walking an emotional tightrope, and it’s an act she pulls of with grace and conviction.
  2. Uncut
    Mar 21, 2017
    90
    Mental Illness is as elegantly dark as a wrought iron gate. [May 2017, p.35]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Mojo
    Mar 21, 2017
    80
    A compelling consistency of mood makes Metal Illness easy to get lost in. [May 2017, p.94]
  4. AllMusic
    Mar 30, 2017
    80
    These songs are crafted in the best sense of the word, with the lyrics delivering sublime twists that the music matches. As such, Mental Illness becomes something of a balm for troubled times; it's an album that finds reassurance within the darkest corners.
  5. No Ripcord
    Apr 20, 2017
    80
    Mental Illness is first and foremost an album about achieving self-sufficiency through trail and blunder. And in doing so, she once again stands tallest, and quietest, in an exceptionally consistent career.
  6. Pitchfork
    Apr 3, 2017
    78
    Juxtaposing elegant chamber folk against the discord of lives out of balance, it’s musically more delicate than even her soft rock models.
  7. Under The Radar
    Mar 28, 2017
    55
    Mental Illness remains more of the same, never quite hitting any peaks, and never missing a step either.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. hapi888
    Apr 22, 2017
    10
    Easily one of Aimee Mann's top 3 albums. It's undoubtedly quieter and varied musically compare to her past albums but in a very surprising andEasily one of Aimee Mann's top 3 albums. It's undoubtedly quieter and varied musically compare to her past albums but in a very surprising and positive way. Tunes are catchy and yet the lyrics are deep and meaningful. Patient Zero, Simple Fix & Stuck in the Past are the best of the bunch!… Expand
  2. Music_Observer
    May 16, 2017
    9
    Aimee Mann not only adds versatility to her impressive repertoire, but a beautiful brilliance that is rare to be found in songwriting todayAimee Mann not only adds versatility to her impressive repertoire, but a beautiful brilliance that is rare to be found in songwriting today with her wonderful phrase stretching and brave, soothing textures. My Score: 153/180 (Great) = 8.5/10… Expand
  4. Ricko
    Jul 2, 2020
    7
    This was my first time listening to Aimee Mann. Lyrical this is good stuff, consistently dark. In terms of the songs, they are all carefullyThis was my first time listening to Aimee Mann. Lyrical this is good stuff, consistently dark. In terms of the songs, they are all carefully put together, honed and produced immaculately but I do think they all blend into one sound and it is hard to tell them apart once you've finished listening to it.… Expand
  5. Jack4322
    Apr 5, 2017
    6
    This album may have interesting lyrics, but the music is basically undemanding adult-contemporary. So, even though the songs may be "pretty"This album may have interesting lyrics, but the music is basically undemanding adult-contemporary. So, even though the songs may be "pretty" and "lovely," they're also kind of boring and predictable. After listening to the entire album, I really have no interest in hearing it again. I do like many of her other albums, though. In fact, her last album, Charmer, was quite good.

    Maybe Aimee Mann really *does* need a record company exec breathing down her neck saying, "I don't hear a single!"    … Expand
  6. Jono620
    Dec 9, 2017
    3
    If anyone can actually remember what any of these songs sound like after one listen through, they're either lying or they're Aimee Mann stans.If anyone can actually remember what any of these songs sound like after one listen through, they're either lying or they're Aimee Mann stans. This album is incredibly boring and nondescript. It's funny because as soon as I finished listening on Spotify, it went into Aimee Mann radio and started playing some of her older music. What a difference. She used to actually try.… Expand

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