track 38: fuck and run

I first read about Liz Phair in Interview magazine, which used to be my favorite rag. It was an article called "Folk Music That Will Make You Blush" or something like that. From that point on, I read so many great reviews about her debut, Exile in Guyville that I absolutely had to have it. I couldn't find it in any of my usual haunts. I eventually had to order it from an indie music store that used to be on Bird Road called Yesterday and Today Records. It took forever to get in, but when it finally did, I was in love with it. I'm a big lyrics person, so that's mostly what I connect with initially. Hers were clever and unsentimental and I liked the lo-fi vibe. I remember making a tape of it and playing it in the car on my way to work. My mom said something like, "her voice doesn't seem to be very strong." It's true, Exile sounds like I had recorded something and sang it, but I adored it. For me it was so much about what she was singing. It's a classic album.



I remember at the end of 1993, going back into Specs and seeing a whole shelf of copies. Exile had made many a Best Of list. The next year, I was all a-stalk for her follow up album, Whip-Smart, with the single "Supernova," jump rope chant title track and "Jealousy." Again, I loved it. Her third album, whitechocolatespaceegg was one that had to grow on me. It was a bit more produced than her previous efforts and felt a little less spunky, but in time I grew to cherish it, especially, "polyester bride."



However, I can't say the same for her self-titled disc a couple of years later. I got it when it came out, curious to hear what this mainstreamed version of Liz would sound like. And I'll admit that the singles "Extaordinary" and "Why can't I?" are pop-rock candy of the finest sort. I also really love this ballad, "Little digger," about a kid who is curious about his mother's new boyfriend. It's a really great song. But speaking of spunky, there was a little ditty called "HWC" and that was a deal-breaker. It felt like Phair was trying to be everything to everybody, a hit single sweetheart but also, "hey, remember when I used to curse a lot and talk dirty? I still do..." A lot of the Liz Phair album didn't connect with me and I haven't heard anything she's done since, but the first three discs? Essential.

next time: go on take everything take everything take everything