Comments on: Liz Phair, “Liz Phair”

By: Flippy

Flippy — Tue, 29 Jul 2003 04:01:31 +0000

I don’t understand why the album can’t be both pop *and* adult? I like the poppy sound, but I’m in my 30’s, so I’m comfortable with some explicit lyrics. Sure, I could without HWC in a song, but really, who couldn’t?

By: Bill Doughty

Bill Doughty — Mon, 30 Jun 2003 13:11:09 +0000

I liked this album well enough. It's not my favorite thing she's ever done, but most of it's pretty decent. If she wants to change her style a little, hey, more power to her. My only complaint is that a few of the songs (the ones produced by The Matrix, mostly) sound a little too overproduced for my liking, but I suppose that's what works on radio these days.

My biggest worry, though, is the cover and the PR photos I've seen. Liz has always been very upfront with her sexuality. If that's just an extension of that (or of a woman proving she's still amazingly sexy after becoming a mom), then I'm all for it. If it's just to sell more records, though, I'll admit I'm a little disappointed.

By the way, if you think HWC is a little on the explicit side, compare it to Flower on her first album, Exile in Guyville, in which she explains in full detail exactly what she plans on doing to one particularly lucky sounding guy.

By: Kevin Hines

Kevin Hines — Mon, 30 Jun 2003 02:30:31 +0000

Patricia – ‘Exile in Guyville’ is her first and best. As with many first albums, the music is not as full as her later albums, but the songs are so strong they overcome that.

By: Brandon Stenger

Brandon Stenger — Sun, 29 Jun 2003 22:35:52 +0000

I would recommend downloading the “Internet EP” that you get access to by buying the new album. I haven’t finished it yet, but so far I like it considerably more than the album. It certainly sounds more like the old stuff.

By: BronteJD

BronteJD — Sun, 29 Jun 2003 18:51:09 +0000

Okay, have listened to almost the entire CD now. A few songs somehow seem stuck on Replay. ;) I like it alot, so far. Will definitely have to listen to it again in its entirety – MINUS H.W.C. ICK ICK ICK!!!! That was absolutely not necessary and makes no sense to include it on an album that is so obviously attempting to fit into a more mainstream genre. Weird.

Kev, which of Liz’s other albums do you recommend the most??

By: Kevin Hines

Kevin Hines — Sun, 29 Jun 2003 16:42:43 +0000

I love Liz Phair, and I plan on getting her new album soon, but I also plan on being dissappointed.

I have already heard a number of the new songs - and while I enjoy them, I can't see me pulling that CD out year after year to listen to it again and again. And I do that with the other albums.

I don't mind an artist trying something new. I don't want 4 albums that sound exactly the same. But if that something 'new' is what a lot of other artists are already doing, it seems kind of wasted.

If she is doing this to sell more albums - well I don't want to say she shouldn't do that. But its sad.

And not as sad as Jewel writing a song that makes fun of 'selling out' and then selling the rights to the song to be used in a commercial. That is ridiculous!

By: Brandon Stenger

Brandon Stenger — Sun, 29 Jun 2003 04:30:41 +0000

I’ll be the first one to admit that I can be an elitist butthead sometimes, but I really don’t think that’s the case here. If you were to pick up Exile in Guyville, Liz’s first album, I honestly think you would understand why some of her long-time fans are disappointed with the new one. It isn’t that this one is necessarily bad, but that her prior efforts have been so very, very good.

By: Augie De Blieck Jr.

Augie De Blieck Jr. — Sun, 29 Jun 2003 04:06:09 +0000

And I think with these two very posts we see the exact kind of reactions the album is going to get. The "old school" fans are not going to like it because it's not true to the previous albums. "New school" fans might just be born because of it.

Nothing wrong with that. It is what it is. It is interesting, though, from a marketing standpoint. I am definitely more inclined to try one of her previous CDs next, though, fully aware that it won't be anything like this one. Isn't that odd?

Yes, Patricia, I did pick up the new Michelle Branch CD this week. (They were both only $9.99 at Best Buy.) It's OK. I like it. It's not going to spend that much time in my CD player, though. I had much the same reaction to her first CD. I do think, however, that this second CD is an improvement on the first. Does any of this make sense?

Her songs play well on the radio in short bursts, but a full album often seems overkill and lifeless to me. We'll see if another listening changes my mind any.

-Augie

By: BronteJD

BronteJD — Sat, 28 Jun 2003 13:57:15 +0000

Augie, thanks for your review. I've actually been toying with the idea of picking it up at Best Buy, since I've been experimenting with more "folky/indy" stuff. However, your review has now cemented my desire to get it, since the pop is certainly more accessible, and then work backwards from there.

Speaking of, have you purchased/listened to the new Michelle Branch CD? I got it a couple of days ago, and was curious as to what you thought....

By: Brandon Stenger

Brandon Stenger — Sat, 28 Jun 2003 03:11:01 +0000

I tried to like this new album. I really, really did. And it does have some good points. It's just too much of a pop album from an artist that I have loved for years.

The incredible amount of over-production on this album completely kills the sound that Liz had on her first three albums. On most of this album you can't even hear her guitar, much less her voice. That voice was one of the key reasons that I've kept going back to those CDs again and again.

As for why HWC is on the album, I have no idea. Liz has always had, and justifiably so, a reputation for raw lyrics. This track sounds more like a parody of that reputation than anything else. I agree that it will certainly limit her sales. It is actually my least favorite song on the album.

If this CD wasn't from Liz Phair, I might enjoy it. As it is, I don't think it will receive too many playings.