Liz Phair - Liz Phair
Liz Phair Image
  • Summary: The far-from-prolific singer-songwriter's fourth album finds a 36-year-old Liz Phair trying to be... Avril Lavigne? Yes, her sound has changed quite a bit since her acclaimed 1993 debut 'Exile in Guyville,' taking on a glossy pop sheen on this release, thanks to production by the Matrix (as well as Michael Penn and Pete Yorn, we might add--but the Matrix????). Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 21
  2. Negative: 11 out of 21
  1. An honestly fun summer disc. [Jun 27/Jul 4 2003, p.136]
  2. There's nothing wrong with a change of pace, but there's a startling lack of depth in either the words, which are entirely too literal, or the music, whose hooks are at once too obvious and not ingratiating enough.
  3. Embarrassing. [Dec 2003, p.134]

See all 21 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 71
  2. Negative: 18 out of 71
  1. Liz really did a good job on the album!!!!!!!. "Why Can't I": was the most popular song the yuear it came out....Such good lyrics and sounds.....I still dont know how this album only got a 40 Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. JustinN
    4
    Ok i'll admit...pop fans should like it. It has catchy songs. But Liz Phair used to have depth and she used to be interesting. Now she sounds like Avril Lavigne. She also doesn't have the chops to sing these kind of songs. Okay, i'm an indie kid but I have no problem with her becoming commercial. I just wish she would've brought her personality to the charts. Oh and not worked with the matrix. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. stacyd
    3
    Let me start by saying that even after 10 years I still pull out "Exile" and listen to it. It is that good. "Whipsmart" is not far behind it, and I still pull it out from time to time as well. However, I haven't listened to "whitechocolatespaceegg" in forever, and I can tell that after about 1 month, Liz Phair's latest will also be collecting dust on my shelf. I had a feeling that I was going to be disappointed after hearing the first single off the album, "Why Can't I", which did not even remotely resemble anything Phair had ever done before, but I was willing to give her my money, mostly out of past loyalty, and I don't completely regret it. There is at least one memorable song on the album......"Little Digger" and a few catchy tunes that I am ashamed to admit have gotten stuck in my head, but now that Liz has made her first truly forgettable pop album, can we conclude this experiment, please!! Liz, don't walk into the light. Stay away from the light! Come back to the dark side. You're needed here. We already have a world filled with Avril's, Michelle's, and Kelly's, but there was only one Liz Phair, and I am sorry to say that she is missing in action. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

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