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Album Details

• Artist: Liz Phair
• Album: Liz Phair
• Label: Capitol
• Year of Release: 2003
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2003-07-17

Liz Phair is a girl that is stuck in the middle. She comes across wanting to have indie credibility and yet she indeed is a pop singer/songwriter. Her career was kick started by her Exile In Guyville album, one that was looked upon as a classic indie album that got girls all over the world to pick up their guitars. Her next two albums, Whip-Smart and Whitechocolatespaceegg, were both shots at making a climb up the Billboard charts but her start as an indie artist seemed to hold her back from success. There were plenty of great pop tracks on those albums that would have probably worked for anyone else but Liz had a reputation. Now, with five years behind her she is about to give it another shot. This time around, she is dating a younger man with her daughter in tow (see "Little Digger" for details) and she has hooked up with Michael Penn to produce as well a the hitmakers The Matrix on a couple of tracks ("Extraordinary", "Why Can't I", "Rock Me", and "Favorite"). She also invites Pete Yorn into the studio for "H.W.C.". There just seems to be something missing on this album though. Liz seems to be shooting for the same audience as Avril Lavigne (note: Avril is half of Phair's age) with songs about a guy feeling like her favorite underwear ("Favorite"). There are some moments where Liz almost hits on all cylinders but by that time the album is pretty much over. One of the best tracks is called "Love/Hate" but it doesn't come until track 10. She has the looks and the voice. I'm not sure what will make Liz as popular as Sheryl Crow but she doesn't seemed phased by the lack of respect that she is getting. Stop trying to make a hit and you just might end up with one. The Liz Phair produced tracks are the best on this album.

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