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. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. MariellyDewa
    Dec 12, 2017
    0
    liz phair presenteia fãs com câncer ............................................................................................................................
  4. WXYZ
    Dec 7, 2015
    0
    Ew, no thanks.
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. Stratford
    Aug 14, 2010
    6
    The sound is surprisingly good. Liz slides into this radio friendly sound well and it's catchy and fun. A roll down the windows pop knockout and it's all helped by *gasp* the producers sparkly, layered pop production skills but...the lyrics are awful. they are like a parody of her earlier work and induce cringes on occasion and after such a great trilogy of albums before it, it doesn'tThe sound is surprisingly good. Liz slides into this radio friendly sound well and it's catchy and fun. A roll down the windows pop knockout and it's all helped by *gasp* the producers sparkly, layered pop production skills but...the lyrics are awful. they are like a parody of her earlier work and induce cringes on occasion and after such a great trilogy of albums before it, it doesn't matter how catchy and shiny it is. it lacks what made Liz great which leaves this as simply a catchy pop album and a confusingly shallow one at that.… Expand
  8. JustinN
    Jul 5, 2009
    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 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
  9. 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!
  10. 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.
  11. Angelo
    May 9, 2007
    10
    Smart, fun, and catchy pop. It's perfect.
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. jr
    Nov 11, 2005
    10
    unfairly criticized. there's a lot of smarts underneath the shiny production. a very fun record.
  16. 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.
  17. EricW
    Sep 15, 2005
    4
    I remember seeing Liz when she toured with Cat Power years ago and they were both simply awesome. After hearing this album I was really disappointed, but I feel a lot of the very negative reviews are a bit unfair. Its a decent pop album but it just doesnt compare to her earlier albums, especially not with Exile in Guyville which is a classic. Maybe if she stayed with indie label Matador I remember seeing Liz when she toured with Cat Power years ago and they were both simply awesome. After hearing this album I was really disappointed, but I feel a lot of the very negative reviews are a bit unfair. Its a decent pop album but it just doesnt compare to her earlier albums, especially not with Exile in Guyville which is a classic. Maybe if she stayed with indie label Matador and not gone to a big corporate record label, she might still be up there with Cat Power as the best female singer-songwriters. Who knows?!… Expand
  18. 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?
  19. seant
    Aug 12, 2005
    0
    this album sucks. period.
  20. 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
  21. LevisO
    Jun 5, 2005
    6
    Considering it was 5years in waiting, it is a disappointment but it's still a good album. My personal fave is Red Light Fever which I just love! It may be her weakest album to date, but it doesn't mean it's rubbish.
  22. 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
  23. 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!!!!!!!!!!!
  24. 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!!!!!
  25. 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
  26. BrandonS
    Jun 19, 2004
    2
    While changing her style from her first album through whitechocolatespaceegg, Liz retained her depth, and there was a kind of emotional arc to it all. I feel like this is Invasion of the Body Snatchers type stuff, because it seems like this isn't really Liz Phair at all. The tragedy for me is that it makes me enjoy her past work less because this new one is just so bad. Maybe if While changing her style from her first album through whitechocolatespaceegg, Liz retained her depth, and there was a kind of emotional arc to it all. I feel like this is Invasion of the Body Snatchers type stuff, because it seems like this isn't really Liz Phair at all. The tragedy for me is that it makes me enjoy her past work less because this new one is just so bad. Maybe if she'd released only the Michael Penn produced tracks, she could have had a pretty interesting EP. Oh well. … Expand
  27. 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.
  28. 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!
  29. 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...
  30. JeffC
    Oct 6, 2003
    10
    Ridiculously good.Her most consistent effort since Exile.
  31. stacyd
    Jul 25, 2003
    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 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
  32. Meat
    Jul 17, 2003
    2
    There has never been a CD more destined for the $2 Used for-sale rack. What a complete disaster...Its like Pearl Jam or Fugazi teaming up with Backstreet Boys. It was too funny reading the moron who wrote that this was the next Ok Computer. High Comedy for sure! Liz needs to take a page out of Pavement's history and see that if people aren't digging your stuff, its better to There has never been a CD more destined for the $2 Used for-sale rack. What a complete disaster...Its like Pearl Jam or Fugazi teaming up with Backstreet Boys. It was too funny reading the moron who wrote that this was the next Ok Computer. High Comedy for sure! Liz needs to take a page out of Pavement's history and see that if people aren't digging your stuff, its better to quit than to sell(out) this slop. HWC for sure.… Expand
  33. 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.
  34. DiggerP
    Jul 6, 2003
    0
    Bland and irrelevant. This album is so lacking in passion, inventiveness and integrity, it actually makes her other albums seem worse in retrospect, since we now know what she was leading up to all along -- non-music for hollow people.
  35. MDSChill
    Jul 5, 2003
    2
    It's just sad that Liz feels she needs to make a bid for commercial acceptance. I dug her written response to the NY Times critique of "Liz Phair" -- she's still a perceptive, clever woman with a lot to say; it's just that this album is ridiculous. She don't need no stinkin' Matrix. Get back, Liz. (and "H.W.C."? She's ridiculing her own propensity for It's just sad that Liz feels she needs to make a bid for commercial acceptance. I dug her written response to the NY Times critique of "Liz Phair" -- she's still a perceptive, clever woman with a lot to say; it's just that this album is ridiculous. She don't need no stinkin' Matrix. Get back, Liz. (and "H.W.C."? She's ridiculing her own propensity for honestly talking about desire, which was one of the freshest things about "Exile in Guyville")… Expand
  36. 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
  37. 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
  38. MatthewSweet
    Jul 1, 2003
    6
    I give it a 6.9 A courageous effort, extolling the virtues of using semen as hair product! Hang it up, Liz, you're out of ideas, and you're done...
  39. ShannonB
    Jun 30, 2003
    4
    As Jackie S. said, there is nothing wrong with pop music, but there is something wrong with bad pop music. Unfortunately, most of this is pretty bad. It's like Avril Lavigne without the hooks, killer production, and this may be hard to believe, the depth. Tries to hard to be "edgy" and "adult." I mean, a song like "HWC"? What's the point? Silly.
  40. benc
    Jun 30, 2003
    0
    If you want cliched, derivative pop songs, buy an Avril Lavigne album. Buy a Britney Spears album. Don't buy this. If she's willing to alienate all her fans of her 90's output by releasing a record like this she doesn't deserve to win new ones, quite frankly. Imagine if Radiohead released an N*Sync album after "OK Computer". Would any of their fans still be buying If you want cliched, derivative pop songs, buy an Avril Lavigne album. Buy a Britney Spears album. Don't buy this. If she's willing to alienate all her fans of her 90's output by releasing a record like this she doesn't deserve to win new ones, quite frankly. Imagine if Radiohead released an N*Sync album after "OK Computer". Would any of their fans still be buying their records today?… Expand
  41. 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
  42. Joe
    Jun 26, 2003
    1
    OK, I gave this album a chance. I don't hold Phair to Exile In Guyville standards anymore, and I still found this album painfully dull. It's so bland, except for the forced, awkward vulgarity and X-Box reference. It's not that she sold out, the albums not even good disposable pop. I honestly think Avril Lavigne writes better pop songs than"Why Can't I." It's too OK, I gave this album a chance. I don't hold Phair to Exile In Guyville standards anymore, and I still found this album painfully dull. It's so bland, except for the forced, awkward vulgarity and X-Box reference. It's not that she sold out, the albums not even good disposable pop. I honestly think Avril Lavigne writes better pop songs than"Why Can't I." It's too bad. This album is probably a 3, but I gave it a 1 because I was so disappointed and expected better from Phair, even for radio-friendly pop.… Expand
  43. 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
  44. 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.
  45. MrFudge
    Jun 26, 2003
    0
    I agree with Christine R. Liz has lost her mind. That's the only explanation I have for this CD. I'm not a die-hard Liz fan. I do enjoy her older CDs - but times have changed and Liz has declared that all she wants is money, and lots of it. She's not interested in saying something meaningful, or making something of substance. All she wants is guranteed radio-airplay and has I agree with Christine R. Liz has lost her mind. That's the only explanation I have for this CD. I'm not a die-hard Liz fan. I do enjoy her older CDs - but times have changed and Liz has declared that all she wants is money, and lots of it. She's not interested in saying something meaningful, or making something of substance. All she wants is guranteed radio-airplay and has dumbed-down her lyrics, her music and herself to get it. For instance, "Why Can't I?" and "Red Light Fever" boast embarrassing lyrics that have all the cloying honesty of a 10 yr-old girls' crush on her swimming instructor. Liz, what happened to you? Also, I know she's always had 'explicit lyrics', but the sticker is bigger than her friggin' name for frig sake. She's also making a "clean version" of the album available - just to make sure the K-Wal-Marts will carry it too. This is just plain WRONG. I'm all for Liz making a living out of her music. However, I cannot support her shameful attempt to grab cash and spit on her old fans, looking to be the next teenybopper breakout. She's too old to compete with the youthful image of Lavigne and co. and the old albums sound too different to attract younger buyers. This is not an album, it's totally superficial Product. Before the album was out, I heard "Why Can't I?" recently on the MUZAK system in a local mall. That pretty much says it all.… Expand
  46. SM
    Jun 24, 2003
    0
    With words from the movie Spinal Tap, this CD is "Shit Sandwich".
  47. BobR
    Jun 23, 2003
    9
    Liz Phair is genius!! This is the new OK Computer.
  48. Matt
    Jun 23, 2003
    10
    Give this CD a chance. It's still alt-rock, only catchier than before. It's great!
  49. 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
  50. 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.
  51. ChristineR
    Jun 15, 2003
    0
    What a superficial album! The music and vocals are so glossy and overproduced, they're lifeless. The lyrics are lame and predictable. These are the kind of songs you'd expect from a 16 yr old who's just starting out, not an almost 40 yr old who should be able to write with more intelligence and maturity. Liz obviously wants to appeal to the teenyboppers who love Avril. What a superficial album! The music and vocals are so glossy and overproduced, they're lifeless. The lyrics are lame and predictable. These are the kind of songs you'd expect from a 16 yr old who's just starting out, not an almost 40 yr old who should be able to write with more intelligence and maturity. Liz obviously wants to appeal to the teenyboppers who love Avril. Which means dumbing everything down and making the songs as bland and accessible to the masses as possible. Shame on you Liz.… Expand

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.
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  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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