Liz Phair
by Liz Phair
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Jun 24, 2003
User Score
6.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 83 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 83
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 83
  3. Negative: 25 out of 83

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  1. TAE
    Dec 6, 2010
    10
    MEAT you truly are a meathead. No it's no OK Computer but don't call someone a moron and that go off and try to make Pavement look like they're so groundbreaking and influencial. All there are is Sonic Youth with Ben Stein as the lead singer instead of Thurston or Kim. Liz will never be anything like Pavement and thank God for that. Liz has actual passion and emotion which is somethingMEAT you truly are a meathead. No it's no OK Computer but don't call someone a moron and that go off and try to make Pavement look like they're so groundbreaking and influencial. All there are is Sonic Youth with Ben Stein as the lead singer instead of Thurston or Kim. Liz will never be anything like Pavement and thank God for that. Liz has actual passion and emotion which is something Pavement no NOTHING about. SELLING OUT to Pavement would be if they actually sang instead of sounding like they're going into a coma. Liz was starting to sound that way in Guyville: "Baby I'm Tired!!!!!!!!!!!!!....of fighting." Yeah I'm starting to like Guyville a bit more than I used to but like all her albums minus spaceegg it is flawed. It's not teeny booper and thank God it's not lo-fi. She's making money. Lo Fi is for bands who are struggling. When you make money you use it to produce higher quality albums and as long as it's good who cares if it's pop. PJ Harvey was one of the most acclaimed and respected artists of the last 15 years. Her music is still great but she doesn't have the following she used to. It's hard being a female musican to keep the "fans" interested in you after all these years and even critics will ignore you no matter how good an album you make ("White Chalk") and Liz here, even if you consider her to be at her worst, made an album better than anything Pavement will ever put out.… Expand
  2. MichaelO
    Jul 10, 2003
    10
    A well produced pop album. So what is wrong about wanting to spread your fan base? Infectious hooks, interesting because her father is chair of infectious disease at Northwestern University Medical Center in Chicago. I love this CD. Great Summer listening.
  3. RG
    Jul 2, 2003
    9
    I can't believe how harsh fans and reviewers are being here. Ms. Phair has made it so clear that she wants that one hit that'll make people sing along to their radios in their cars and I think the lead single off her self-titled LP, "Why Can't I" gets that job done perfectly. And moreover, she's very straightforward about how deliberate she wants to make this her I can't believe how harsh fans and reviewers are being here. Ms. Phair has made it so clear that she wants that one hit that'll make people sing along to their radios in their cars and I think the lead single off her self-titled LP, "Why Can't I" gets that job done perfectly. And moreover, she's very straightforward about how deliberate she wants to make this her accessible album. In fact, recently in TIME magazine, she said how her fans shouldn't worry because "there'll be a sixth album and an eighth album." And this album should be based on its merits. Compared to so much shlock that's being released these days, this CD is still genuinely good. It may not be Liz's best, but that doesn't mean it's outright crap. I don't understand how critics who pan this album are able to give artists like Beyonce Knowles or Justin Timberlake high marks on a clean conscience. Liz doesn't ditch her smart-alecky lyrics, which is clear in "Rock Me" and "Extraordinary." If Sheryl Crow had some more attitude, she could be almost as good as Liz. (Ironic to think that Liz sang back-up on "Soak Up the Sun" isn't it?) In any event, if there are any music fans who are having doubts whether to buy this album, don't judge your decision purely on reviews, because it's mixed. Sample tracks from the album and decide if it's for you. On a side note, Liz still has her edgy artistic side intact, if people would note the access available to her internet EP via the CD, once the CD is placed in a computer. Her internet EP proves to be a nice outlet for songs that didn't fit with the "mainstream" theme of the album. And on a last note: About the cover, after listening to the album, the cover seems sexy, not at all distasteful like a certain Rolling Stone "spread." … Expand
  4. MattM
    Jul 4, 2003
    10
    I can't understand how an artist can be so widely criticized for simply evolving. Sure, Liz Phair's self-titled latest sounds completely different, but Liz herself sounds better than ever. The album has a breezy, confident air about it. Yes, it's her most polished work to date, but the music ranks among some of her finest. Don't listen to the jaded naysayers; "Liz I can't understand how an artist can be so widely criticized for simply evolving. Sure, Liz Phair's self-titled latest sounds completely different, but Liz herself sounds better than ever. The album has a breezy, confident air about it. Yes, it's her most polished work to date, but the music ranks among some of her finest. Don't listen to the jaded naysayers; "Liz Phair" is an absolutely pleasure. Standout Tracks: "Red Light Fever", "Why Can't I?", "Little Digger", "Firewalker", "Favorite", "Good Love Never Dies"… Expand
  5. JeffC
    Oct 6, 2003
    10
    Ridiculously good.Her most consistent effort since Exile.
  6. BobR
    Jun 23, 2003
    9
    Liz Phair is genius!! This is the new OK Computer.
  7. TimE
    Jan 19, 2005
    10
    "Exile... " is single handedly the most overrated album of all time. Screw what all the critics say, this album is a freakin' masterpiece and Liz Phair's best album to date. One of the greatest records of the past decade!!!!!!!!!!!
  8. RicoA
    Aug 12, 2005
    8
    I really can't understand all the negative reviews, this is a good cd. Yes, it's not Exile nor Whip nor white, but it's still smart and catchy and Liz. Maybe people are feeling betrayed because she's not fitting into their pigeonholed view of her as ass-kicker?
  9. tim
    Feb 3, 2007
    10
    I had a lot of respect for critics before this album came out. This is what completely changed my opinion. How dare you compare her to Avril Lavign. This is far from that. Get over yourselves. Lofi is dead and it wasn't really that great to begin with. In fact Exile is possibly the most overrated record of all time. Stop living in the past. So what if her sound is glammed up. When I had a lot of respect for critics before this album came out. This is what completely changed my opinion. How dare you compare her to Avril Lavign. This is far from that. Get over yourselves. Lofi is dead and it wasn't really that great to begin with. In fact Exile is possibly the most overrated record of all time. Stop living in the past. So what if her sound is glammed up. When Courtney Love and Polly Harvey did it they got universal acclaim. But everything has to be compared to Exile for Liz. This isn't 1993! At least she didn't cop out by add 80s keyboards like everyone and their dog. Get Spaceegg and this record. This critics could kiss my big brown ass. Go back to your Battlestar Galactica and get the hell out of music cuz you have no idea what you're writing about.… Expand
  10. JillK
    Oct 11, 2003
    10
    I loved this CD it rocked I love the song "why cant I" and every girl knows when she thinks about that special someone, she takes a breath and holds it in just wishing and hoping that their guy was there with them...
  11. Matt
    Jun 23, 2003
    10
    Give this CD a chance. It's still alt-rock, only catchier than before. It's great!
  12. GoryA
    Jun 23, 2003
    8
    Lighten up people! Liz has! She has always wanted to be a star, it was the critics who dubbed her indie when she didnt even know what she was yet. Most of these songs could have appeared on WCSE or WS and nobody would have said diddly. Its just the new look and The Matrix that has people up in arms. And thats just clueless music snobs who think only the obscure can be good music. Lighten up people! Liz has! She has always wanted to be a star, it was the critics who dubbed her indie when she didnt even know what she was yet. Most of these songs could have appeared on WCSE or WS and nobody would have said diddly. Its just the new look and The Matrix that has people up in arms. And thats just clueless music snobs who think only the obscure can be good music. Sometimes cheese is brie, and Liz delivers the goods. I am glad to see she is so obviously in a good place in her life now! Go Liz, see you in Chi town in August!… Expand
  13. SeanG
    Jun 26, 2003
    8
    A new sound for Liz, and it works suprisingly well.(and yes, some people need to calm down. God forbid she try to broaden her appeal a bit and sell some damn records) The Matrix-produced are for the most part simply "okay", with "Extraordinary" being the standout. Of the rest, "Little Digger' is heart-wrenching and beautiful. This a great pop album, and sadly, Phair is being A new sound for Liz, and it works suprisingly well.(and yes, some people need to calm down. God forbid she try to broaden her appeal a bit and sell some damn records) The Matrix-produced are for the most part simply "okay", with "Extraordinary" being the standout. Of the rest, "Little Digger' is heart-wrenching and beautiful. This a great pop album, and sadly, Phair is being crucified over it. It's no "Guyville" but I'm enjoying it more than whitechocolatespaceegg.… Expand
  14. Bobby
    Jun 30, 2003
    9
    The response from Liz Phair's "old fans" only prove that indie rock fans, in intellect, are right up there with pro wrestling fans as the scariest people on earth: They breed, and once they're 18, they can vote. What a shame. Well, here's the truth: There are seven or eight truly classic songs on this CD. The Matrix can obviously turn anything into hits, and from the early The response from Liz Phair's "old fans" only prove that indie rock fans, in intellect, are right up there with pro wrestling fans as the scariest people on earth: They breed, and once they're 18, they can vote. What a shame. Well, here's the truth: There are seven or eight truly classic songs on this CD. The Matrix can obviously turn anything into hits, and from the early sales returns, it appears this Liz Phair CD is going to be a monster hit. Boo hoo, indie fans, you who have somehow managed to equate good singing and songwriting as "selling out." Good lord.… Expand
  15. Stan
    Feb 13, 2004
    9
    Exile in Guyville is a great album indeed, but the craft here is arguably just as strong. Great music comes in all genres, all styles, all production styles. When pop music is this well-written, I graciously bow.
  16. GinaT
    Sep 19, 2004
    10
    I mean what can I say, if you have been a Liz Phair fan so long like me, you've gotta love it! Any direction liz goes, no matter what, her music is gonna rock forever!!!!!
  17. SteveM
    Oct 29, 2005
    9
    Yes, its heavily produced, but it still rocks, and Liz still has more to say than just about any other 10 artists you can come up with. One of the best 5 albums of 2003.
  18. ErinN
    Mar 7, 2005
    9
    Leave it to Liz to do just what she pleases. This album rocks! Many people just can't deal with artists that step out of the niche that was foiseted upon them. A couple of tracks may be (gasp!) appealing to large groups of middle schoolers. Big deal. There are lots of different sentiments and sounds here...and, yes, a polished production. What I love about Liz is that she can say and Leave it to Liz to do just what she pleases. This album rocks! Many people just can't deal with artists that step out of the niche that was foiseted upon them. A couple of tracks may be (gasp!) appealing to large groups of middle schoolers. Big deal. There are lots of different sentiments and sounds here...and, yes, a polished production. What I love about Liz is that she can say and be so many different things. And its as fun and unpredictable as ever.… Expand
  19. JadeyT
    Jul 17, 2005
    8
    Liz is trying on a dress for a change it seems. I will always love her, she is my soul mother...although exile in guyville will always be my favourite, I think as fans we should support her as she tries out new things...I mean you guys may think she is all tough but she said it in 'chopsticks' (whip smart)"secretly I'm timid"....this cd does not deserve all the negetivity Liz is trying on a dress for a change it seems. I will always love her, she is my soul mother...although exile in guyville will always be my favourite, I think as fans we should support her as she tries out new things...I mean you guys may think she is all tough but she said it in 'chopsticks' (whip smart)"secretly I'm timid"....this cd does not deserve all the negetivity it got, I mean for POP it's pretty damn good.… Expand
  20. Delysid
    Mar 1, 2006
    8
    Rico A. hit the nail on the head when he wrote "Maybe people are feeling betrayed because she's not fitting into their pigeonholed view of her as ass-kicker?" Liz has been both hugely helped and hurt by prevailing trends and her relation to the zeitgeist of two eras. With her debut in 1993-4, she perfectly fit into the low-fi aesthetic and riot-grrl revaluation of women in rock at Rico A. hit the nail on the head when he wrote "Maybe people are feeling betrayed because she's not fitting into their pigeonholed view of her as ass-kicker?" Liz has been both hugely helped and hurt by prevailing trends and her relation to the zeitgeist of two eras. With her debut in 1993-4, she perfectly fit into the low-fi aesthetic and riot-grrl revaluation of women in rock at the time, not to mention exciting hormone-soaked fanboy critics of the day with the frank sexuality of some of her lyrics. Plus it wasn't just her debut album that generated the buzz, it was also the tapes she made in her bedroom on a 4-track mixer, eagerly traded among music cognoscenti, that put her indie cred rating into the stratosphere. That's the Liz the critics loved and have never forgiven her for not remaining -- barefoot and in the bedroom churning out clever 4-track gems for all time. But Liz is ambitious and her 2nd album, Whipsmart, was an all-out well-produced (by indie standards of the day) rocker -- and the critics hated it! They dumped all over what in my opinion is her best album, and she's laboured under their derision ever since. Cut forward to 2003 and the now 36-year-old Liz, as charmingly slutty, and ambitious, as ever, makes a stab at more popular success with the self-titled album this review is about. But the poppy sheen doesn't make it any less distinctively a Liz Phair album, and the song writing and lyrics are as sharp as ever, along with her very effective guitar technique and unique, one-of-a-kind voice that fans like me love. Now the fanboy critics, ten years older and more cynical, slot Liz into a different stereotype of a sexually forward woman -- the cougar/milf, no longer the object of erotic veneration that the sexy indie rocker chick was, but instead a target of derision and scorn, and still after ten years not forgiven for leaving the 4-track in the bedroom behind. "Liz Phair" (this album) is full of gems -- "My Bionic Eyes", "Red Light Fever", and the poignant "Little Digger" are among the finest tunes of Liz's whole career, as is "H.W.C." (Hot White Cum), a song most critics mistook for a failed dirty joke, failing to see that while it is witty it's not lewd but rather a heart-felt, bright, sunny, sex-positive love song, waxing poetic about a physical property of her lover other than the usual ruby lips or sparkling eyes -- and it's a great tune besides. In fact, over all a great album from one of the finest, and least understood, female rock musicians of all time.… Expand
  21. JeremiC
    Mar 23, 2007
    10
    What the f***k! Im a huge fan of Liz Phair and this album is her BEST! It contains very catching pop songs and is as explicit and sexual as I always loved it ! Im tired of stupid and fancy artfags critics that judge something good just because it is different, but in fact it is crap ! I really recommend this album for good pop lovers and especially for Liz fans because she gave her Best What the f***k! Im a huge fan of Liz Phair and this album is her BEST! It contains very catching pop songs and is as explicit and sexual as I always loved it ! Im tired of stupid and fancy artfags critics that judge something good just because it is different, but in fact it is crap ! I really recommend this album for good pop lovers and especially for Liz fans because she gave her Best for this one ! Go LIZ PHAIR ! FUCK METACRITIC !!!… Expand
  22. nickhardcore
    May 10, 2007
    10
    How in the HELL does fucking Fergie get a 58 and this record gets 40? This was the most played album on KCRW the year it came out. The most influencial station in the world. When even preppy, trendy college rock stations ignore the critics that's when you know the unemployment lines are going to get much longer.
  23. Angelo
    May 9, 2007
    10
    Smart, fun, and catchy pop. It's perfect.
  24. CaseyS
    Dec 16, 2003
    9
    It's so funny when people degrade pop music just because it's pop music, regardless of its merit. Why are people allowed to experiment with any type of music except pop? Phair's album is a stellar piece of work, as are all her albums. Her talent shines through on each track regardless of genre. Well done!
  25. MichaelW
    Jun 18, 2003
    7
    I agreee with everything that has been said about this album. It's very slick and not nearly as good as her previous offerings, but I still love and and, though this is is my least favorite album of her, it's still a lot better than a lot of other music out there.
  26. PeteR
    Jun 26, 2003
    7
    While she's definately trying to go mainstream with this one, it's not THAT bad. Still not used to the Matrix produced tracks - I think Michael Penn's production suits her better.
  27. DevinB
    Aug 27, 2004
    10
    This album is superb. All of her previous albums have been excellent, but this album is so much fun, and, as usual, her lyrics are witty and playful. I think that for anyone who doesn't like this cd or any of her other music I recommend seeing her live. She is sooooo sexy, so flirtatious, and so much better live than used to be now that she has somewhat gotten over her stage fright. This album is superb. All of her previous albums have been excellent, but this album is so much fun, and, as usual, her lyrics are witty and playful. I think that for anyone who doesn't like this cd or any of her other music I recommend seeing her live. She is sooooo sexy, so flirtatious, and so much better live than used to be now that she has somewhat gotten over her stage fright. Honestly, when you see the girl live you will understand what she is all about. … Expand
  28. GaryB.
    Sep 25, 2007
    8
    This is my favorite Liz CD. I know that everyone was upset that she released something commercially acceptable but it sounds great and the lyrics are still .. Liz. The CD is worth it's cost just for "Extraordinary". I think it's the perfect pop song!
  29. jr
    Nov 11, 2005
    10
    unfairly criticized. there's a lot of smarts underneath the shiny production. a very fun record.
  30. gagaforever
    Sep 22, 2010
    10
    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
  31. MonxoSM
    Oct 25, 2020
    10
    Liz Phair's self-titled album is an underrated gem, it has a pretty fresh and enjoyable pop rock and teen pop sound. I don't understand why people despise this beauty.
  32. colbyD13
    Aug 5, 2022
    10
    I don't understand all of the backlash this album got. There are so many good songs on here. This is Liz Phair's best album. Standouts include Love/Hate, My Bionic Eyes, It's Sweet, Why Can't I, and Rock Me. Firewalker and Good Love Never Dies are songs that don't fit for this album but Firewalker is somewhat decent for this album. This album should not have gotten the criticism that it did.

Awards & Rankings

27
#27 Most Discussed Album of 2003
25
#25 Most Shared Album of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
40

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 21
  3. Negative: 11 out of 21
  1. AllMusic
    60
    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.
    Read full review
  2. Alternative Press
    40
    [A] slickly produced holding pattern. [Jul 2003, p.122]
  3. PopMatters
    10
    A highly overproduced, shallow, soulless, confused, pop-by-numbers disaster that betrays everything the woman stood for a decade ago, and most heinously, betrays all her original fans.
    Read full review
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