Copyright 1988 Time Inc. All Rights Reserved
People
December 12, 1988
SECTION: PICKS & PANS; Song; Pg. 29
LENGTH: 192 words
BYLINE: David Hiltbrand, Michael Small, Ralph Novak, Andrew Abrahams
BODY:
EVERYTHING'S DIFFERENT NOW : 'Til Tuesday
Aimee Mann, the lead singer of this twosome, writes most of its lyrics and
does so in an original fashion. True, she seems to be obsessed with the
perils of romance, like a caged bird that chirps away while keeping one
eye on the cat in the corner. But there's a saving humor to her obsessions:
"You're half-naked ambition and/ You're half out of your wits/ And
though your wristwatch always works/ Your necktie never fits." Or:
"Well, better then if I just go away/ Preserving the fiction of/ Indifference
now/ Replacing love" or "When we found a rip in Heaven/ We should
have just ascended then." What keeps these sentiments from being more
striking is that they're often sung to indifferent, rambling melodies, dully
arranged. Mann's partner, percussionist Michael Hausman, and producers Rhett
Davies and Bruce Lampcov share the arranging credits (and blame). An occasional
sign of life flashes -- Crash and Burn is a lively exception, for instance
-- but too often Mann seems to be reciting as much as singing, which is
a waste of a true-toned, hearty voice that's a major resource. (Epic) --
R.N.