'Til Tuesday - Welcome Home

In 1985, 'Til Tuesday were a band that were quickly rising to the levels of stardom that most bands hoped for.  The title track from "Voices Carry" was receiving solid rotation on the radio (102.7 WNEW), the video for the emponymous track was part of the Mtv (remember when they played music) regular video play list and they were opening for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers on their "Pack Up The Plantation" tour.  The stars and planets seemed aligned for Aimee Mann & Co.  They released their second single "Love in a Vacuum" which did not garner the same attention as "Voices Carry" and shortly thereafter the music industry moved on.  This is where the tradegy begins for 'Til Tuesday.  While a large number of groups/performers have huge breakout success with their debut releases and then hit that proverbial "sophomore slump" both commerically and creatively.  'Til Tuesday's second release "Welcome Home" shows remarkable growth musically by the band and lyrically from Aimee Mann.  Add to this top notch production by Rhett Davies, "Welcome Home" should have solidified 'Til Tuesday's position as a group worth listening to and their musical careers.  From the opening track "What About Love", you immediately hear the pain and angst in her voice as she strains to sing "What about Love/What about making room for two/What about love,baby/What about you".  As with most of Aimee's songs, they take on an autobiographical tone.  On the opening track, the guitar playing of Robert Holmes is more prevelant than at any point on "Voices Carry".  The lush keyboard textures that Joey Pesce add enhance and do not overpower.  "Coming Up Close"  should have been the song that put 'Til Tuesday over the top instead of being largely ignored.  The next four tracks; On Sunday, Will She Just Fall Down, David Denies and Lovers' Day are probably the best songs that Aimee Mann and company had written to date.  To me, David Denies is the best track on the CD.  It has a power that had not been performed on any 'til Tuesday track previously but did not loose the sense of yearning and heartbreak that Aimee communicates.  The remaining tracks; Have Mercy, Sleeping and Waking, Angels Never Call and No One is Watching You Now round out the album well.  While the songs do not have the power and intensity of the first six tracks they do well on their own merit.  Aimee Mann is the type of singer and performer in the same mold as Chrissie Hynde when the Pretenders first hit the scene, she did her type of music because it pleased her and whether anyone liked it or not did not matter.  It was up to you get a board.  This CD is one of my 10 desert island discs and should be one of yours as well.  'Til Tuesday - Welcome Home