This review of Liz Phair’s new album got me all nostalgic for Exile in Guyville.
I was an Exile devotee long before I identified as a feminist. (Even though in those years Phair wasn’t shy about her feminism.) I certainly didn’t think of Exile as a feminist statement. It was just good music. But the album was sort of my musical bridge from Pavement to riot grrrl—which was, I think, my bridge to feminism. So Exile has a special place in my music collection, even though my Phair fandom lasted only as long as she was signed to Matador Records.
I don’t have a problem with the trappings of her new(ish) grab for stardom. I wasn’t disappointed to see her writhing onstage in a leather miniskirt, or posing naked on an album cover. (Ah, those "fuck-me feminists.")
The review points out the real problem: Phair stopped writing good songs. Compare these Exile lyrics to some of those from her newer albums:
From Exile: I bet you fall in bed too easily with the beautiful girls who are shyly brave and you sell yourself as a man to save but all the money in the world is not enough.From the newer albums: Why can't I breathe whenever I think about you / Why can't I speak whenever I talk about you and You can count on my love / With me you'll feel protected/ And you'll never be rejected.
Barf. Then she took the poorly written songs, and had them over-produced. The reviewer claims the new album is a bit better than Phair's recent efforts, but I won't be buying it. I will, however, be dusting off my copy of Exile in Guyville.
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She may have appeared like she was naked on "Liz Phair," but I swear there's a nip-slip on the "Guyville" cover.
But I agree ... she's fallen quite far. While it's nice to have an older woman doing cheesy pop, why does it have to be HER?
Maybe she finally just grew up, or maybe she really fell in love.
Love sucks all your ability to write insightful lyrics away? Man, you conservative types really should work on the P.R. there--this asinine version of "love" you're selling is a drag and I don't see what there is to recommend it.
This is the perfect opportunity to share my only Liz Phair anecdote...
I once corresponded with Liz Phair's father.
Dr. John Phair is a professor emeritus at Northwestern University. I got to exchange email with Dr. Phair when I was helping him with a matter pertaining to a medical website for which I provide technical tech support.
whitechocholatespaceegg still holds up pretty well, too...
Amanda, I'm more concerned that love would hinder your ability to respire. I'm not sure what good having a boyfriend would do you if you were literally suffocating (let's not even get into the metaphors here).
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