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Picking up a copy of Aimee Mann's latest LP, Charmer, I was reminded yet again of why I've come to prefer vinyl over digital download for music. Even before I slipped on headphones and submerged myself in Mann's latest batch of hook-driven character studies, Charmer's cover and liner notes were already delivering tangible insight into the album's themes. A spinning dial on the cover, for instance, morphed with a turn from bearded Rasputin to wide-eyed ingenue (turn your computer upside down and look at the image at the top of the post and you'll see what I mean), highlighting the co-dependence between many of the album's characters, explaining to listeners before any formal introduction that despite the dissonance and dilemmas they'll create, these characters are inextricably linked to and reliant upon each other.
Keeping with this idea of interplay, the lyrics that are printed inside Charmer's gatefold album undulate in dynamic, "he said/she said" spirals and twists, demanding that the reader continually shift physical perspective in order to keep abreast of what the characters are relaying. Even the album's tense red-green color scheme has an ulterior motive: dig out a pair of 3-D glasses, and like a half-forgotten argument, lines and shapes that had previously seemed inconsequential will take on new significance and dimension right before your eyes.
All of this playful exchange between Mann and her listeners is lost for those who simply download her album from iTunes–though even those listeners will likely still be delighted by their purchase (NPR once included Mann in a list of Best Living Songwriters alongside Dylan, Springsteen, and McCartney for good reason). There is not one throwaway moment in this entire spare, direct set list, though certain songs will stand out, most notably the title track (see video below), and side two's opening duet "Living a Lie" (with The Shins' front man James Mercer). Here, Mann initially chides:
Mercer then responds, succinctly acknowledging then explaining away his mid-life crisis:
In most of Charmer's songs, who to like, who to empathize with in these relationships, is left up to the listener–though not always. In the up-tempo "Gumby," for instance, a dead-beat dad is given an ultimatum: We're through unless you take care of your daughter.
Limited edition, audiophile vinyl like my copy of Charmer comes at a little bit of a premium. I spent $27 to purchase my pumpkin-hued 180-gram copy–though a digital download was included in the purchase price (as was a 7" 45 rpm of "[Brother's Keeper](http://www.amazon.com/Brothers-Keeper-Bonus-Track/dp/B008S0ILQY "Amazon: Bonus Track - "Brother's Keeper"")"). As a comparision, a digital download of Charmer from Amazon will only set you back $7. Someone else might spend this same amount of money on a manicure or a beautiful bouquet of flowers–me, I kill plants and bite my nails. Music is my indulgence of choice...
How about you, Internet? What are you listening to these days? Anything good? Anyone tempted to ask for a turntable this holiday season?
[youtube]http://youtu.be/tcpXTUT0-7o[/youtube]
