speed of dark

Since Indie Mom and I have a date this Friday with Aimee Mann (2nd Annual Christmas show at the El Rey Theater), I'm reminded of Til Tuesday, the band with which she gained her first foothold in popular music due in large part to a popular MTV video in which the singer finally and literally stands up for herself in an abusive relationship. Interestingly, "Voices Carry" was not the band's first choice to be the single from their 1984 debut album of the same name, but it was the only Til Tuesday song to ever break the top ten.



I was surprised to see "Voices Carry" repeatedly described as a one-hit wonder because I never felt that way about the two CDs I have. In my opinion the lack of chart stature for Til Tuesday's other songs is more due to the public's short attention span than to any lack of quality in Mann's singing, her songwriting, or band members' musical abilities.

Til Tuesday's second album, Welcome Home (1986), contains equally engaging tracks, especially the glowing "Coming Up Close." "No One Is Watching You Now" takes full advantage of Mann's incredible vocal range. However, Mike Thorne, producer of Voices Carry felt that poor sound quality and lack of interest by the record company were more to blame for poor sales (read here).

At any rate, after a bumpy start, Mann has had a very successful solo career in the twenty or so years since Til Tuesday broke up; and I'm looking forward to seeing her sing in person after all this time.

From Voices Carry (1984):
Love In a Vacuum
Looking Over My Shoulder

From Welcome Home (1985):
Coming Up Close
Lover's Day
No One Is Watching You Now

Other group members: Michael Hausman (drums), Robert Holmes (guitar), Joey Pasce (keys) who was later replaced by Michael Montes.

Til Tuesday Fansite | Photo Gallery
Aimee Mann's MySpace | Website | Label: Superego Records
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