So I was making a Liz Phair mix today, and I found myself grabbing a handful of tracks from the (much loathed) last 2 records. Then, I downloaded the ITunes acoustic record she did, where she explains where some of those songs came from and that she intended some of the lyrics to be "stupid pop." And the acoustic versions of a few of the ones I didn't like are quite lovely.

In short, I'm loving Liz right now. Pretty much all of her. A bunch of the songs from Somebody's Miracle have grown on me so much that I'm sure I'll play them as much as "Guyville." Anyone else had this happen?
[Edited 5/23/06 14:54pm]

I don't think I'll ever play anything as much as "Guyville," or "WCSE" for that matter (I love those two albums!) My my all-time favorite Liz Phair song is "Table For One," which is on "Somebody's Miracle" and I also happen to like "Why I Lie," "Somebody's Miracle," and "Leap of Innocence." There's others on that album I like too, those are just the standouts. In fact, I find myself playing her eponymously titled ablum more than I play "Whip-Smart." I really, really fancy "My Bionic Eyes," and the Michael Penn produced tracks are just lovely. I wish she would have eschewed Avril's producers and stuck with Penn's tracks. But my favorite tracks on the "Liz Phair" album ("Firewalker," "Love/Hate") were produced by Liz herself. I think she's still "got it" - she just needs to let the dollar signs fade from her eyes.

Interesting thread - thanks for making me think of Ms. Phair!!

I bought her cd Exile on (something or other) because all the reviews said it was a song for song response to the Rolling stones Exile on main street.

it was not my favorite cd...I had no connections with the songs

jillybean said:

We have very similar taste! I love all those songs you mentioned. Love/Hate is much-overlooked "should've been" rock classic. In fact, it's mostly just the singles that stunk from the last couple.

PurpleRein said:

You should actually try some of her more recent stuff. It's a bit more emotionally accessible (if too slick as a whole for my taste)

MendesCity said:

Agreed! “Why Can’t I” and “Everything To Me” sounded like half-baked Sheryl Crow tunes. But Liz still has songwriting prowess, and she’s spot on when it comes to making a pared down rock tune (like “Love/Hate”). I love the squeaking guitars, the break in her voice, the messy sounding production. Streamlined Liz just ain’t for me.

jillybean said:

It's funny, one of the ones that sounds a bit like Sheryl Crow knockoff finally sold me on some of the newer stuff, "Wind in the Mountain." It's kind of corny, overproduced, and yet, somehow completey touching.

This is the mix I ended up making (all just the official albums...I need to get some of the B-side/demo stuff):

Flower
Mesmerizing
Divorce Song
Stratford-On-Guy
Explain It To Me
Whip-Smart
Go West
Nashville
Headache
Uncle Alvarez
Only Son
Love/Hate
H.W.C.
Friend Of Mine
Fine Again
Little Digger
Why I Lie
Table For One
Wind In The Mountain
Strange Loop
[Edited 5/24/06 6:43am]

MendesCity said:

Good gravy, that's almost identical (in a different order, however) than the mix I made. I included "Johnny Sunshine" and "F*ck & Run" and I didn't include "HWC" - my husband HATES that song - but otherwise they're the same! I, too, like "Wind In The Mountain." Do you have "Somebody's Miracle" with the bonus track? I hear that that song came from her "Exile" days.

I need to get my hands on some b-sides as well!!

jillybean said:

That's so funny! Yeah, I made it for a friend who's kind of on the fence about her, picked songs I knew she'd like (though it seem wrong to not have F&R on it!) I think I do have that SM bonus track--"Closer to You"? I don't actually love it, though it's not bad or anything. And one thing you should get if you don't have it is "Comeandgeit," the EP with the rest of the Michael Penn tracks from "Liz Phair"

MendesCity said:

I'm pretty sure the regular ol' release contains "Closer To You." The bonus track to which I'm referring is a song called "Can't Get Out Of What I'm Into."

Okay, I think I need to get "Comeandgetit" now!!!! Thanks for the heads up!!

jillybean said:

You're right, I do have both of those..."Can't Get Out" is great!
There's a song on Comeandgetit "Fine Again" that's probably my favorite Liz song ever.

Big big fan, but I kinda fell off recently.

GangstaFam said:

Seriously, give the recent ones another chance. Just skip over the singles!