Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be 50 fantastic first solo albums recorded by artists who departed—or simply took a temporary hiatus from—their respective groups, representing a varied cross-section of genres, styles and time periods. Click “Next Album” below to explore each album or view the full album index here.

AIMEE MANN | Whatever
Imago (1993)
Selected by Liz Itkowsky

  
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Aimee Mann’s first solo effort Whatever kicked off a long career of critically lauded pop-rock albums. With wistful, confessional lyrics, Whatever feels like the work of a fully-realized musician, not a first outing. There is an air of familiarity from ‘Til Tuesday bandmates making appearances. It’s the first of many collaborative efforts from Mann and Jon Brion that showcases the vivid lyricism of a brilliant songwriter.

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