On “The Forgotten Arm,” Aimee Mann takes the familiar concept album device and gives it, if you will, some welcome punch. The dozen songs here roughly trace the story of John, a drug-addicted boxer and Caroline, his girlfriend who meets him at a Virginia carnival and hangs on for the slippery, spiraling ride that is their ill-fated relationship. Though that might sound like fodder for a depressing disc, Mann’s material plays to paradox with bright melodies (“She Really Wants You,” “I Can’t Help You Anymore”) and consistent rock kick supplied by a crack studio band that includes guitarist Jeff Trott (Sheryl Crow). For Mann’s longtime fans, the change in thematic and musical approach may take some getting used to; she also employs keyboards in her songwriting for the first time. But Mann’s voice, comparable to Chrissie Hynde, remains a strong constant–as does her songwriting, full of wit, depth and cinematic imagery.
