Those who only remember Mann as a waifish singer with a truly '80s hair cut will recognize the voice instantly. Mann's pipes are barely a shade deeper than those that carried "Voices Carry" 15 years ago. Only Juliana Hatfield (who contributes some backing vocals) comes to mind as a woman whose voice remains virtually unchanged through the ravages of a touring musical career. Time has afforded Mann an increased sensibility toward relationships (although she's now happily coupled with fellow major-label casualty Michael Penn) and her professional odyssey gives her plenty of lyrical fodder. These 13 songs are well-crafted pop moments of guitar-bass- drums and the occasional keyboard or horn accent. What sets Mann apart are razor-sharp observations delivered in an unforgettable voice.

"Now that I've met you/would you object to/never seeing each other again" is the opening stanza to "Deathly," and the words that sent Anderson off to write a three-hour-plus movie. I'm not holding that against Mann and neither should you. "Calling it Quits" offers a no-holds-barred reference to the end of label courtship for Ms. Mann. "He's a serious Mister/shake his hand and he'll/twist your arm." Get the drift? "Eyes the color of candy/lies to cover the handicap /though your slippers are ruby/you'll be led to a booby trap." SuperEgo Records and an eponymous Web site, aimeemann.com, are the result.

Bachelor No.2 is intelligent pop in the Elvis Costello vein, and the two musicians do in fact have a connection dating back to the 'Til Tuesday days (Costello even receives co-writing credit on one song here). Intelligent pop? No it's not an oxymoron; you just won't find too many executives in the corridors of the Big Five who can point to someone on their rosters that can deliver it.

So, get thee to your local record store or your ISP, and don't leave this bachelor waiting any longer.