Reviews (page 7 of 8)
Am Anfang hatte es mich aber dann ging es irgendwie immer weiter???
girlboss-grunge? ich finde das Songwriting wirklich sehr schlecht das Album strahlt negative Gefühle und Frust aus wirklich sehr insignifikant
Olivia Rodrigo before Olivia Rodrigo
Admittedly, I don't get the fuss about Liz Phair. I do get her impact on music and see the importance of this album. But it doesn't sound like more than the typical early 90s female hard rocker. 3.5/5.
mé
This was way better than expecting. I was figuring it would be a Alanis Morissette situation, but this is a bit more personal feeling than that! It's got an alt-rock vibe from the 90s that feels right on the edge of being mainstream and more lo-fi, and it makes it so while not every song song here is notable, a lot of it is at least interesting, and usually pretty good at that. It's at the very least way better than the Rolling Stones album this is riffing on.
Fun indie rock, I liked it :)
Helt okay men kinda tråkigt o intressant sound. Första sången va nice allt annat kinda meh
It's a little bit Hole and a little bit P J Harvey. But the song writing isn't overly stellar in my opinion.
This was an album I loved the first time I heard it. It just has something, I don't even know how to describe it. The production is incredible and really lets her voice shine while keeping it well supported by the music. The lyrics are great and they feel accessible without being trite 4/5
The choice to use a clean electric guitar instead of an acoustic guitar on songs like Shatter is pivotal in how good this album is.
3.5
Another one that I actually really enjoyed way more than expected.
Liked some. She sings about fucking - a lot. The line about when she was 12 was a little shocking. Second half was better than the first. Doubt I'll listen again.
Didn't listen in the 90s, but yeah, very good deserves the plaudits. In the vein of Kristen Hersh and PJ. Initial standouts, Glory, Shatter.
I had not listened to Liz Phair before. Well worth the discovery.
Not too bad. Better than average.
Nice album Easy to listen to nothing special though
This album ticks a lot of boxes, sounds way ahead of it’s time, hence clearly very influential on the bedroom pop we hear in the 2020’s, good concept themes, and a comparison to a Rolling Stones classic album. More than deserving of being on the list.
Hmmm.. Don’t know about this one really. OK I suppose but not more than that
Very Lilith Fair
Well, it's about what I expected. It's alright. Good enough, but nothing I'd really seek out again. My favourite song was Canary.
Terrible edgy lyrics
Good!
eh... 2.5/5
This album is a nice exile from ho-hum music
# 40 : Yeah.. Nah... Not terrible, but not great either, Not influenced by her, sorry not my thing. Flower - Wow!
Never heard of Liz Phair before however she provides an album full of 90s indie "girl" grunge vibes, with some good stories told throughout. It is a long album, and at times it felt like a little bit of a slog to get through it. Best: 6'1" Worst: Shatter Note: Had to listen on YouTube as the full album was not made available on Spotify.
Good singer/songwriter album. Very 90s.
Not really my style
Some of the tunes on this album really don't seem that she's "into" the whole thing, but I guess that's part of her music. The message is really straightforward, though. Not as good as Whipsmart.
Honest, stripped down and raw at times. Really enjoy Liz Phair's delivery and there's enough mix of pretty basic arrangements with some more melodic/driven alt rock songs. A great set.
Meh
-Didn’t write a BL (but never heard of Liz Phair)- AL: a very solid record. I liked the tonal sounds she was producing - very rock esque but also very drone and minimalist, you could almost imagine My Bloody Valentine making a lot of the licks without their signature layering and distortion. FT: “6’1”, “Glory”, “Fuck and Run” 3/5
This had some really strong moments as an indie rock album and Phair's honest emotion is present throughout. Despite me not loving her voice, the guitar work and creativity meant there weren't really any low points. Standouts are "Never Said" and "Mesmerizing".
Killer debut
i've heard a lot about this album but I haven't ever listened to it. i like glory, i like never said. i like explain it to me. so far i like it i can see why it has this acclaim. the sound is cool. it's all blunt and matter of fact on this album but melodic still. it feels kind of timeless. no all these songs are good and have a point of view. deserves multiple listens. its real in a way that most of us think about things but never dare to say those unfiltered thoughts. she does it unapologetically and that's so damn cool.
11th July 2023 Listened during the day while working in the office on annual results call. Garden party in the evening. Enjoyed this - vibey indie punk with a real feminine drive. 3.5 if I could.
I’m torn between 3 and 4 stars - for starters it’s too long, it’s also has a mediocre start and mediocre end - but the mediocrity sandwiches a wonderful middle part that is risqué on point and ahead of it’s time - with some strong songs. But we’re rating albums not parts of, so I guess it does not hit the mark.
There is not much to be said about this album that has not been said in every other review of it. It is truly one of the best albums of all time. I personally love the rawness of this album and the honesty in the lyrics throughout this album. It seems like it is a very personal album which makes it feel better in a way. I don't really have any criticisms except for the fact that I feel like it may be a track or two longer than it need to be and some of the songs on this album are a little too slow for me but besides that this album is perfect from start to finish. Easy 10/10.
At first I thought it sucked but I’m actually liking it a lot. Like I want to listen to this album more than once. Glory made me give this album a closer look. Since then it’s been really good.
I hate to admit that I don't like many female singers. But I liked Liz. She's not a great singer, but her lyrics are dirty and raw and not lovely dovey shit.
I should like it, there is nothing wrong with the album. For some reason I can't explain; I don't like it.
Goddess. I wish I'd been aware enough to appreciate Phair in the early 90s.
Something I'd never heard of and interesting enough to listen to without really exciting me. I quite liked the style, and it reminded me at times of Half Man Half Biscuit or The Mountain Goats - neither of whom appear on this list at all but are well worth a listen. Perhaps if I listened to it a couple more times I'd grow to like it more, but as it is it's another that's perfectly OK without being ground shaking.
Great album, but not one I listen to often
annoying voice
didnt love
This album turned 30 years old yesterday The first time I encountered Liz Phair was in the 2000s and she had that song Why Can’t I come out and it was all over MuchMusic and the radio (seems like it’s her most popular song on Apple Music). All of the stuff I was reading about her though was about how she had sold out, wasted potential and now she’s just pop music. The other time I would hear about her (and this album specifically) is as a footnote in writing about Exile on Main Street. I’m pretty mute I had read in Rolling Stone or Spin a piece written by Phair about the Stones record and how much she liked it. 30 years on now, this is about the most contemporary sounding album I think I’ve heard on the list. If you listen to indie rock radio there are a ton of acts that are going after this lo fi, confessional style of rock. I’m thinking Courtney Bartlett, Phoebe Bridgers and Boy Genius and Lana Del Ray. Yet Phair is still more pointed in her lyrics regarding sexual relationships especially. This album sounds timeless, while even on her next album songs like Supernova are peak 90s production. I’ve got to say this has been one of my great discoveries and one I think I need to own on vinyl.
Some very catchy songs! Some weren't my cup of tea
Own on Vinyl
Je me demande si Avril Lavigne ne c'est pas inspiré de cette chanteuse. Pour moi on dirait du Avril Lavigne trop soft.
Worth looking this artist up on Wikipedia as it gave more context. Could see where they had influenced others but the content was a little juvenile for my today tastes. (I was also never a real fan of acts like Garbage)
Wow! This was great. Loved the music, voice, lyrics. So exciting to see an artist like this burst out with something really exceptional.
I have listened to some Liz Phair before, but never a full album. I really enjoyed the sound and experience!
At first, this just had a vague 90s indie sound that is not generally my jam. But I warmed up to it pretty quick. Her voice has an interesting atonal tone and I found many of the songs musically and lyrically compelling.
I was introduced to Liz Phair and this album by a friend about ten years after its release. I spent the early 2000s listening to a lot of Liz Phair. It was great to reconnect to this today. I listened to the remaster and it sounds terrific! Liz Phair has that imperfect delivery that makes these songs really special to me. There's real passion and emotion driving these song that connects with me every time.
A quiet minimalist indie album, this album would be highly influential on contemporary and modern female artists, most notably Alanis Morissette, whose waves of influence would touch dozens of female pop and rock artists. I could definitely hear "Flower" in artists like Le Tigre and Snail Mail. It's a melodic and accessible album, and despite being almost an hour long, it doesn't feel like it drags on too much, with only a few weak tracks near the end (most forgettable being "Gusher"). Fortunately, only 3 of the 18 tracks go longer than 3.5 minutes, so you get a diverse taste of what she has to offer. She has some great hits "Fuck and Run", "6"1'", "Divorce Song", and "Never Said" which are pretty tame yet catchy. Nothing is ever harsh or loud but still has a rocking sound to it. Many of the songs have a lovely atmospheric sound, don't know what that guitar strumming effect is called, but you can hear it in "Girls! Girls! Girls!" and "Canary" which has such a minimalist sound that incorporates some distortion and melts in the background. Sometimes it got excessive, like how "Shatter" went on for 5.5 minutes.
3.5/5
Lindo disco, no lo conocía y me gustó, más allá de que seguimos en la línea de discos eeuu-céntricos. Pensándolo en su contexto, entiendo que fue parte de la camada de mujeres que saltaron a la fama en una escena dominada por hombres y que eso y aportar al estilo de rock alternativo de inicios de los '90 fue lo que lo hicieron entrar al ranking. 30 años después, si quiero escuchar algo del estilo prefiero ir con PJ Harvey o Alanis Morrissette.
D-i-v-o-r-c-e
I don't get why this is on this list. Very blah and superficial.
Best Song: Fuck and Run. I like the almost spoken-word quality that this song has. It feels very raw and indie. And nothing beats a chorus of "Fuck and Run". Worst Song: Soap Star Joe. Really just didn't like that chorus. Overall: It's okay. It comes from that genre/era where the singer seems to be doing their best to seem as though they're too cool to try all that earnestly, instead sort of sitting back and letting their vocals roll out onto the floor. It feels like live music for a dive bar, in good and bad ways.
För all del.
It took me a few listens to get into this but, revisiting today, it was just a lot of fun. Grungy bangers to haunting piano-led pieces to canon-esque risqueness
I’ve been hearing the hype about “Exile in Guyville” for years. Starkly confessional! Painfully raw! Sexually charged! After sitting with this on my “to-review” list for several months, I’ve decided the hype is justified, and “Exile” has turned out to excel in even more areas than I’d anticipated. First and foremost, the whole album is loaded with razor-sharp songwriting, dressed in the conceit that it responds to the eighteen songs of “Exile on Main St” track by track. In actual fact, “Dark Side of the Moon” and “The Wizard of Oz” have a stronger synchronicity: this theme just seems like the loosest of springboards for Phair to bounce off and do whatever the hell she wants. And it hardly matters. I’d heard a lot about Phair’s lyrical powers, and they’re undeniably excellent. Yes, they’re frank and honest and raw, but there’s a lot of humour in there too with a winning conversational tone. Take the lines in “Soap Star Joe”, a withering put down to a self-aggrandising rockstar: “check out the thinning hair, check out the aftershave; check out America, you’re looking at it babe.” Then, album centrepiece “Fuck and Run” is a bleak admission of how long she’s had to play men’s games: certainly since seventeen, and even when she was twelve. Elsewhere, there’s a delicious c-bomb in “Dance of the Seven Veils”, a dry and skeletal inversion of the Beach Boys’ swinging surf in “Girls! Girls! Girls!”, and an astonishingly frank expression of sexuality in “Flower”. I dread to think of the unwarranted attention she received from male “fans” after releasing it. I wasn’t prepared for Phair’s gift for melody. The more mellow tracks on “Guyville” are some of my favourites, displaying a perfect synthesis between Phair’s deft, cavernous open strumming and her unadorned, low vocal. This is captured best of all on album highlight “Explain It To Me”: sweet without being sugary, sad without being melodramatic, simple without being dull. It, “Shatter” and “Canary” (with a nice departure from guitar in favour of piano) form a gorgeous triptych of sad-Phair. Then there are the big hits. “6’1””: a crisp, biting introduction to Guyville! “Never Said”: a one note guitar line all the way to heaven, complete with wonderfully sloppy backing “ahhhs”! “Stratford on Guy”: a perfectly rendered, sharply hooky insight into Phair’s state of mind on a flight. In short: I’ve found a new fave. “Exile on Main St” will never sound the same again.
I wonder what Liz Phair was thinking when she unleashed this onto the world. Maybe not much, maybe nothing at all but what was plain to see is that Exile on Guyville set such a trail that it became impossible for Liz to not only follow up but to full live up to. What is seemingly a brash, in your face concotion just so happened to combine with a more somber, thought approach to relationships and the status quo in regards to those relationships and it is that connection that manages to seduce and mesmerize those who have come across its path in the ensuing three decades. Exile on Guyville has become monolithic in its stature and it is unsurprising that it has become Liz's sole source of awe and admiration, regardless of the records that have come in its wake, whether better or worse. All the praise that has come in the last several years was worth it. Favorites: 6'1, Help Me Mary, Never Said, Soap Star Joe, Canary, Mesmerizing, Fuck and Run, Girls! Girls! Girls!, Divorce Song, Shatter, Flower, Johnny Sunshine, Gunshy, Stratford-On-Guy.
I kinda like the lo-Fi effect but it does come across as a cut-price Sheryl Crow due to it. I certainly don't think it deserves all the plaudits (I guess those are to do with the Feminist angle) but it's ok to listen to in the background
this album give me chill vibes and i really liked it. tracks added: 6 fav track: johnny sunshine 7.5/10
Meh, grunge
sembra sempre un film, voce monotona
Didn't particularly enjoy this. It's easy listening but quite boring in essence. All about relationships etc. Comes off a little desperate
Well balanced. I feel like the album wasn't trying to be pretentious but amounted to quite a lot. Relatively quiet, but otherwise I liked it. Favorite songs: Glory, Soap Star Joe, Mesmerizing.
Mid album and i remember someone.
I wish I had heard this album when it was released. Someone gave me a copy of her album, Whip-Smart, which I loved. But I didn't hear this album until the early 2000's. It's such a great album.
Sometimes a little annoying and overly long, but the album is brilliantly written and completely original. A decent record.
1 2?
An all time favourite of mine. Never hit this level again and that’s ok.
This album is an aggressive feminist alternative masterpiece. The jangly guitar playing in particular reminds me of something the Smiths might play though it has been co-opted into more of a grungy style. The lyrics are confessional, angry, occasionally transgressive and openly talk about female sexuality. The candor with which Liz Phair sings is arresting and pleasantly surprised me. The closest album I can think of is Jagged Little Pill though I think this is the better album overall.
I know this sound had started to emerge a bit more by 1993 but it's still remarkable how recent it feels. Bit too indie for me to really enjoy but great voice and very well put together.
This is good. Must've been pretty shocking for a WOMAN to produce something as explicit and casual about sex as this in such a conventional musical format back in 1993, although I guess this kind of sound wasn't as well-established then as it is now. That said, her voice lets it down a bit, and that probably drops it down from a 4 to a 3.
Deze heb ik op lp. Staat niet vaak op, maar verdiend de sterren.
Sound is wel lekker herkenbaar voor een 90s kid, maar verder toch ook weer niet heel spannend. Voor dit soort plaatjes zou je 2,5 ster moeten kunnen geven.
Niet onaardig en best aardige dingen gehoord. Maar echt briljant vond ik het niet.
Een soort Courtney Love vermengd met Sheryl Crow. Het resultaat vind ik: zeurderig.
I mean she's no Sheryl Crow am I right? Nah she was alright. Kinda that cliche early 90s girl with a guitar singer songwriter vibe. But she must've been one of the first that made that a thing. But man she sure like to song about wanting to bone. Like alright I get it
Wank
This is, without a doubt, one of the more realized, original, and expressively uninhibited debuts in rock history.
Great
Maybe she wouldn’t like to hear it, but she is a modern goddess and this is her “birth of the Venus”. This album is a life and sexuality manifesto coming from what you’d call a normal suburban girl from the 90s. It is sincere and yet ambitious. From the cover, with the iconic black and white photo - a wide open mouth and naked chest, like screaming “I’m tired of keeping this to myself, I’ll tell it all, guys”- and the purple font with the title of the album -a reference to “Exile on main St.”- you can tell what it’s coming: a girl fantasizing about freedom and happiness in a male-dominated world. Love how Liz Phair invites us to her head to see how she unfolds this story… so pure. Regarding to the music, I think that the sequencing is perfect and, oh gosh, the creamy guitar tone always gets me. The downside of this work could be the number of songs, maybe a lot for many people, but it’s justified for the concept of the work itself: a track by track response to The Rolling Stones legendary album. If not all the songs are fantastic, the place this album has for me is well-earned for its impact on pop culture (and I’m not going to lie, I have a crush on Liz, too, so fuck it, I’m giving it 5 stars)
I enjoyed this I like 90s alt rock
meh
I like quite a few songs on this album - usually the ones with a upbeat, indie-rock feel. 6'1" is a great opener and Help Me Mary is also good. Never Said is another track that works well for me and Mesmerizing is my favourite on the album. The other less straight ahead and more "arty" tunes are often quite successful and worthy of close inspection. There's no doubting the talent on display here the level of songwriting is quite remarkable for a debut album as is the sheer breadth of ideas and sound stylings, how much of that is Miss Phair and how much the expert prouction is up for debate howeverthat's besides the point as each listen reveals new layers of depth. I never really listened much to this album when I first explored it, but this time I'm on my 3rd consecutive listen through and the reasons for its high acclaim are being revealed. 4 stars
Brings me back. Simple, raw, confessionary, in your face. Influential.
My feelings for this record fluctuated as it went on. It's a bit too drawn out for what it is and I honestly don't get the hype. It's decent slacker/indie rock, but even good slacker/indie rock bores me at times. I don't know, it's OK, but not something I would go back to anytime soon.
4/18, 22%
Cute but not groundbreaking
ei huono. indie on trigger sana... ja ''huono laulaja'' no niin on mutta ei haitta.. jos olisi niin sanottu ''hyv' laulaja'' TEUKÄLÄISEN MIELESTÄ HYVÄ SIIS... niin olisi niin paskaa kuunnella mutta onneksi oei ole... melkein tunti ei kuintenkaan tätä jaksa popittaa. hyvä fontti yas girl ei vieläkään naisartistia vitosessa :( mesmerizing
Great album that covers different types of music- hard rock, soft rock, and soft hearted songs. It feels like a collection of greatest hits not a debut. This album is a response to the rolling stones album of a similar name which was very sexiest. That’s one of the reasons I love this album. The songs are all from a place of hating how the world is structured all around men and the anger that comes from that.
A really like the ideas and style here and it feels like a bunch of demos to me. This isn't a bad thing at all though and I think a lot of other artists could benefit from dialing the production back but I feel like this is lacking some oomph for me. The songs I liked the most were "Fuck and Run", "6'1"", and "Shatter". Personal Enjoyment - 8 Songwriting - 8 Lyrics - 8 Originality - 7 Production Value - 9 Artwork - 10 Overall - 8.1
I've heard a lot about this album, and honestly it's probably a victim of my expectations for it. It was solid, and I listened to it twice to ensure I was giving it a fair shake, but it felt kind of wanting for more heft. I have a feeling the more I listen to it, the more I'll come around on it, but it's not quite a 5 for me yet. Standouts: 6'1", Help Me Mary, Never Said, Fuck and Run, Flower
Cracking album, full of sass and sex... a great find!
Alanis type beat, a bit rougher around the edges but that's the early 90s
Pas très sensible à sa voix, mais j'aime bien les passages instrumentaux. Plus l’album avançait, plus mon appréciation grandissait
Just sat back and enjoyed this with a cold beer. It was pretty good.
Ive been to Guyville. It has some great songs but extremely forgettable, directionless ones as well. Rating: 6.5/10
An interesting sound. The personality of the album is like PJ Harvey meets Sheryl Crow. There are good moments to the album, in particular the soft sound and the unique style of singing and melodies, but the lack of dynamics and big defining highlights make it forgettable by the end.
Decent rock pop although I have to say the constant "lewd" topics made this feel a bit forced
good vibes, okay songs
não é ruim mas nada de mais
Eine knappe, bisweilen unerträgliche, Stunde postpubertärer Petitessen.
Not sure about this one. There are some good tracks on it, but others I didn't liked. 3/5
Major girlboss vibes
I like this album. Not super relistenable, but I’ve tried to get into this album before but it was nice to finally have the incentive to finish it. Solid all around
I loved Glory I loved Divorce Song and Never Said The album is prime 90s angst
Excellent debut album. Raw and unpolished but still catchy and listenable. I’m not sure whether Liz Phair has done better in her career than this album. 4 stars.
I guess it was okay? It's cool that she was one of the first female voices in Grunge and everything, but I just thought the album was okay. Nothing really special in my opinion, but some songs did have a good bite to them for its time.
Never heard of Liz Phair before and didn't recognise anything off the album. Decent though and glad I did. 3.5
I feel like I should like this more than I do.
Really good album. Definitely can feel how personal it is to her. I feel as if I would understand more if I were a woman.
Some of the worst singing I've ever heard.
Bold and catchy. Love the guitars and the vocals. Good songwriting.
Un álbum con sonido indie, me gusta el toque más oscuro que parece de peli te terror pero no mucho mas
I don't know what to say here. I guess she's pretty angry about some stuff, huh? This whole thing is very dated. The production is 90s trash, her voice is pretty terrible, and the lyrics are just a single gong banged repeatedly. I appreciate the semi-revolutionary status of the thing but it's just not good.
Garagione. Semplice, con chitarre sporche il giusto, voce profonda, testi taglienti, autoconsapevole della distruzione, autoironica. GRRRL!
This didn't really do much for me.
The lyrics are fine if a little 'pulled out for the diary', raw and explicit. The music though is generic indie with no real grace or even melody. Liz can't even be bothered to make a racket to bolster the anger in her words. All a bit shrug for me.
i expected there to be some sort of hidden one hit wonder on here but we weren't even treated to that. it's very shit.
Fuck the fucking fuck off
Probably going to be shit. Update: was pretty shit.
what a nice album, i wonder what style she'll go in 2010. on a serious note, this is one of the best-written albums i've ever heard and it almost justifies every strange turn in her career. i mean if you've wrote "divorce song", every other album could be like "funstyle" and i could not care less. extraordinary album.
Pretty chill vibes. Nice for rainy days
Grrrrrrrl!
The 90s were cool. You could just be kind of an acerbic white lady with a guitar and sing about how you hate blowjobs or whatever and you could have a hit record on your hands! Let's go back to the 90s.
Enjoyed the listen, still unsure if I like it enough to dive into a 3rd listen
Singer/Songwriter stuff. The songs are fine - not brilliant but not terrible. The music is rhythm driven rather than melodic, but again that is OK. The singing is monotone and off key most of the time and that is not OK. I guess that this was a success due to the songwriting, because it surely can not be because of the performance.
This would be enjoyable if it was like 23 minutes long. Instead it is 57. best / only good songs: never said, fuck and run, Stratford-on-guy
Not bad. Pretty gutsy and gritty. Better than I thought it would be.
Surprisingly, I enjoyed this album quite a bit. I don't think I would listen to it regularly but I'm happy with what I heard. I really like the sound of her voice, and the 90s female punk/grunge sound that it brings. While listening to "Never Said" I started humming to myself Sly and the Family Stone "Everyday People" and it fit the music perfectly. Overall pretty good.
8/10 pretty solid, a tad annoying, but also pretty cool and I dig the satirical aspects
Grunge-y, overall just kind of a downer it felt like. Not my speed.
I really really like Liz Phair. But with this album, I think I like the lofi vibe much more than I like the actual songs. All of the stories are pretty great, but the actual melodies tend to lull me into a hypnotic state that sends my brain elsewhere. Never Said and Divorce Song are stand outs for me. But Whip-Smart and Whitechocolatespaceegg are better all the way through, I think.
Kinda liked, kinda was bored by it. I never quite caught Liz-fever back in the day, and while I can appreciate it more now... a lot still just kind of feels like Sheryl Crow minus the pop melodies. For an album with 18 tracks, I'll say though that I was surprisingly engaged with the last six tracks. Everything from "Shatter" on stood out to me the most and probably would've made for a pretty sweet EP.
Debuting with a lot of fanfare, and bringing a lot of meh to the table. Unless you're into pseudo-riot grrrl monotones, give this one a pass.
Didn’t really enjoy this one and felt like it was hard to get in to. The lady doesn’t do a bad job of singing or the production of the songs but it more so just wasn’t music that I find enjoyable. 3.5/10
I’m sure I would get more out of this if I took the time to listen to it head-to-head with the Stones. Someday.
Guyville's second half veers all over musically, a left-field choice which Phair wrangles with her voice over all. The record says a lot, takes time to do it, too. You can hear many an indie record buried in there.
Not bad, but didn't do much for me
Ok. Listenable but not something I’d select.
OG angry bish music
Her Best works. Love Liz Phair and this album. Listened like 50x seen her 1 x
This album is weirdly both great and bland at the same time.
I'm sure that 15-year-old me would have adored this album
So glad to revisit this. Amazing 😻
I’ve never heard any of her music before, but can see how it would be influential and resonate back in the early 90s.
It sounded terrible…
of it's time a bit. sounds a bit dated now
ragged, punky, eerie, fresh. this is a punk rock album from the 90s that still feels like a fresh take on the grungy feminist anthem. its simple guitar chords, fuzzy machinations and flat, rumbling vocals make for a compelling listen. it still has immediacy. it still belongs. glad its on the list. i likey very good like. get exiled peoples.
interesting. 3.5/5
aight
More like 2.5, but I wasn’t feeling this.
Not as good as I remember...I feel like some songs of hers I really like aren't on this like I thought they were
I don't really know what to think. I started it and some parts were okay, and then when I came back to finish late at night Spotify was on shuffle so I don't know if I heard all the songs but I think I did but some were greyed out so I couldn't listen and some were not so good but some I didn't mind and I'm tired and confused.
Indie rock. Ni fu ni fa.
The songs are put together well-enough, and lyrics are quite good. It is a bit too monochromatic, though.
not worthly of this list
It has some fun moments
Good moment but clearly of an era.
Extremely powerful debut which draws you in with its indie hooks and lo-fi production. The whole thing could easily have been 5-6 tracks shorter and benefitted from the reduced runtime, but the length also allows Phair to showcase a wide variety of song structures. The album takes a bit getting used to, but by the time the stripped down 'Dance of the Seven Veils' comes on, I start to get it. Highlight of the album for me: the groovy 'Mesmerizing' leading into the monster of a track; 'Fuck and Run'. What an extremely catchy and gritty track. This song has been living rent free in my mind for several years now since the first time I heard it.
I'm having a really hard time rating this album. There are certain parts that are deserving of a 4 / 5. And then there are parts that I get bored of really quickly and deserves a 2 / 5. Phair's songwriting is quite unique and she's great at sounding innovative - even as the album progresses. But on the other hand I'm having a hard time coming to terms with her vocal.. It's really not that good, is it? The lo-fi approach to production really has its positives; the excellent "Dance of the Seven Veils" and "Fuck and Run" being prime examples. On the other hand I find that the album is 6-7 songs too long for it to still be interesting as the guitar fades away on the otherwise great closing track, "Strange Loop?". I'm going to listen to this again; for sure. But the next listen is just as likely to make this lose a star as it is to make it gain one.
Pretty challenging listen for me.I liked some of the interesting/ strange sounding harmonic stuff with the guitar and vocals. I feel like the songwriting is better than the performance and recording. They recorded guitar first and maybe that’s why it sounds like the rhythm section is kinda shaky. It sounds like there’s a better version of this album that can be made. 1.5
These songs all sounded like sloppy scratch demos to me, the playing is terrible and nobody took the time or effort to produce or write parts. All the guitar is just power chords and the drumming sucks and I don’t think the songwriting is interesting enough to cover that up
This was like listening to someone do a shitty open mic set. No thanks
I love this album
I tried this some years and found it hard to engage with...Let's go again....Yeah. I still don't understand the accolades. Its OK...Half baked tales of sexual liberation. Some sketchy guitar. No massive tunes.. i mean its bold and brash for a solo album but give me PJ Harvey anyday. 2.75
For some reason I just loved the album. Even tho it was mostly pop music, I found it really different from the rest of the genre.
I love this, beautiful esthetic, the voice the songwriting the production, chefs kiss. I would just say overall the album isn’t incredibly cohesive and some songs are very clearly better than others
A very raw album about a girl and her insecurities. There is no specific song that stands out but the album as a whole is very good and meaningful.
I'm trying to listen to most albums through a retrospective lens at the same time as I try to imagine how the music would have sounded when it was released. The matter part is really hard, but I think it's pretty safe to say that not many women at the time were doing what Liz Phair did on her debut album. Sonically it's not always my cup of tea, but the lyrics and the vision make up for it. I'm not surprised if many modern acts of female oriented indie pop and rock are influenced by Phair.
i thought i wasn’t going to like this anymore but even though it’s completely satanic she’s a real talent
This isn't really my thing, but Phair has a strong voice (metaphorically speaking)—smart, confident, mischievously funny, and justifiably sick of our male-dominated society's shit. The three-song stretch of "Mesmerizing," "Fuck & Run," and "Girls! Girls! Girls!" was my favorite, and "Flower" had me cracking up.
I never got into her music, and now I remember why. I really didn't like this.
Good listen and worthy of another go around
Very good indded - even on first listen.
This is new to me and I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. Reminded me a bit of L7 who I loved back in the day. Yes, her voice isn't the best and that comes out more on slower tracks, but it's unique. Would listen again.
Stunned to hear this came out in 1993, and I don't think I've ever heard it - it's way ahead of it's time, I'd guessed it was from the mid 2000s, though in retrospect that's probably from the resurgence of this sound then. Anyway, this is full of light and shade, heartfelt lyrics, and an assured voice.
Enjoyable listen but a lot of ups and downs. Some songs are absolute BANGERS that make you feel invincible while others are below average breakup songs. Not a big fan of the interludes as well, think the album as a whole could be structured better. All that said, great vocals and will definitely add some songs to my playlists (but won’t listen to this album in full ever again)
Ég verð bara að játa að mér fannst þetta algjörlega stórkostleg plata! MIkið var gaman að finna eitthvað sem maður hefur aldrei vitað af!
Sometimes a sweary Shania Twain, sometimes a lo-fi Alanis Morrissette. Are the songs any good? Overall, it's just not that interesting and 18 songs is far too many. Either overpolished (the Shania ones) or half-baked ideas for songs (the Alanis ones). I didn't realise her alt music roots and connections were so strong, its so MOR. In a fair world, Aimee Mann would be a household name for the albums she put out in the 90s.
Not for me then, not for me now.
Angsty feminist punk with some cool songs
Well I thought it was alright.
I forgot how brilliant this album is at times. Sometimes it flags, but mostly it rocks and still feels relevant.
There's a lot to like, the lyrics are great, and must have been ten times as refreshing 30 years ago. It zips along without any songs outstaying their welcome, and the minimal instrumentation keeps it from becoming overblown. Phair's voice is less enjoyable at times, disaffected 90s snark feels indulgent these days, and had it been the ten best tracks, this would have been an absolute classic, rather than just a Good Thing. That said, I feel like this is the lay up that allowed Alanis to dunk on em a few years later!
Interesting at its best
Not bad. Definitely not my vibe but not bad.
It was good but not great.
Meh.
Loved the vibe of this one but it did drag on a bit (I think I just don’t do well with longer albums on a first listen) Fav track: dance of the seven veils
It was alright. For being quite simple instrumentally it still feels ‘loud’ with Liz’s angst and passion on each song. 5/10
Tykkään soundista, sopivan simppeliä kuitenkin pienellä koukulla. Taitaa olla leidin itse säveltämää ja pitkälle soittamaa kamaa joka on aina hieno asia soittavalta artistilta.
Uus tuttavuus, toimivaa kamaa hyvältä aikakaudelta
Apparently this is a long sex album… The album opens with 6’1” it’s a good enough song other than the fact that it’s a warning shot for all the sex in the rest of the album it’s not very unique though. Help me Mary is good much of the same thing as the first sonic but works well as song 2. Glory is a really short acoustic track it’s okay just useless. Dance with the seven veils is a good acoustic song, it’s odd that the only thing I was surprised by was her saying the c-word though. Never said has a bit of a repetitive chorus but it’s still done well and it’s the only single from the whole album, which makes sense as the others are probably way too dirty. Soap star joe is solid, great lyrics (for this album). Explain it to me is okay but with all of the other pretty good acoustic songs on the album this is just meh. Canary sounds special and very tender not a song that I would personally listen too without an album but still good ( like songbird by fleetwood mac). Mesmerising is a solid banger, I love the build up at the start and the vocal distortion that occurs. Fuck and run is also decent ( chorus is a little disturbing though). The guitar is really cool in Girls! Girls! Girls! it’s lyrics are a bit meh. Divorce song is a banger lyrics are great, guitars good too! Shatter is a banger it takes its time but it’s all worth it, probably the best song so far once the intro is gone! Flower is wired, not a favourite tough it’s actually quite an unsatisfying listen. Johnny sunshine is decent it starts off as like a trucker song all loud and aggressive then goes full on tender. Great! Gunshy is a bit too obvious lyrically but the guitar in the chorus is cool. Stratford- on- guy is solid I guess in the grand scheme of the album it’s forgettable but still nice. Finally I’am at the last song strange loop it’s really solid that instrumental is just the way I wanted the album to end! After listening I decided to make a shortened track list of the album ( which would’ve given it a 5): 6’1” Never said Soap star joe Girls! Girls! Girls! Dance with the seven veils Canary Mesmerising Fuck and run Divorce song Johnny sunshine Shatter Strange loop
decent guitary music, but nothing special
Indie rock. Ni fu ni fa.
Creía que Exile In Guyville iban a ser hevilorros y resulta que son rock indieorros, y me gustan.
Not very exciting.
Rounded up to 5. Liz Phair is a mix of singer-songwriter and grunge rock. You'll be able to relate to this if you've ever been a mess, had a bad relationship or dealt with shitty men.
Extremely surprised by this album. Probably my favourite one so far. Liz Phair gave heavy Fiona Apple vibes and I love it. Production is smooth and wonderful, vocals are gorgeous, melodies are beautiful. Favourite songs are 6'1", Glory, Never Said, Fuck and Run (fav), Girls! Girls! Girls!, Divorce Song (fav), Shatter (fav), and Gunshy (fav). Really want to check out more of her stuff.
Lo-fi charm.
Nice one, enjoyable
Seminal album of my young adulthood. I discovered Liz Phair in college and immediately related to everything she was singing about. The ideas of empowered female sexuality, owning your desires, and deciding for yourself what your narrative will be in relationships resonated deeply with me. I love her minimalist production too. The songs are so well-written, so sharply observant, biting and acerbic with a cynicism unheard of at her age. But damn if there aren’t sad pathetic little nuggets of optimism throughout as well. You root for this girl, you believe in this girl, you are this girl. Her dry monotone vocals shouldn’t work, but they do. They’re somehow sultry and raw all at once. Phenomenal album from a unique talent and a powerful voice we needed at this time. Thank you Liz for helping me feel empowered about my burgeoning sexuality and for helping me feel seen.
This might be the most 90s alternative thing I've ever heard. A bit too long, didn't go anywhere and she can't really sing, BUT there is a bit of nipple on the cover. 3/5.
Liz is an under-rated gem who is too often forgotten.
Quirky 90s indie rock. Overall not too bad, but the instrumentation is a little sparse; I'd have liked to have heard bigger production and more distortion. a pretty good album though
Rock indie. Interesante
This is pretty good, but it's hard to escape a feeling of losing the thread a bit in the last third or so. Phair claimed to have had the idea to "respond" to the Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street at some point in making this, and it kind of feels like some songs are there mainly to make up the numbers. I do suspect this is one I'll get more from on relistens.
While there's definitely some radio filler on here, most of the LP shines with mesmerizing songwriting and decent instrumentals. I'm not big on lyrics so much as form, but Phair's vocals make it impossible to ignore the narrative structures that clearly drive each track.
Some cracking tunes!
I remember feeling empowered by this album in high school and that feeling remains. The low-fi guitar, mixed with funny yet true lyrics does what feminism does best…make sure that everyone knows that anything a guy can do, a girl can do as good, if not better. Though this album is situated in the 90’s, it is timeless and forward thinking.
Don't love her voice, and a fairly boring album. Did have some catchy guitar bits.
Love Liz but haven't spent much time with this album. I didn't really get into it as much as Whitechocolatespaceegg but still keen to dig in.
I didn't really care for the album. I made it through it without skipping any songs. I was not previously aware of the album or the artist. I am not quite sure how to describe the music. It really isn't punk or grunge but there are elements of those genres. It certainly is indie music. I am not sure why this is on the list. No need to listen to it or revisit any of the songs again.
Solid 4 for lyricism
Ágætis væb á þessari plötu en hún er svolítið löng og lögin renna dálítið saman því útsetningarnar eru ansi einfaldar, þótt gítarpartarnir séu það kannski ekki. Renndi henni tvisvar, kannski að ég yrði hrifnari í þriðja sinnið.
she sounds like a county vocalist, her vocal style doesn't match the music at all. 75% of the songs don't lead to nothing, they are built just like snippets. all in all, this is a generic 90's alt rock album. kinda boring, wished for it to end. the only good thing is the semi-distorted guitar, it is very nice.
grows on you
This album is badass and awesome. Required listening for young women.
Finger pointin' relationship songs, played in a stripped back indie rock way. Just great. Best Tracks: 6'1; Fuck and Run; Divorce Song
I liked this, but didn't love it. I feel like it sorta grew on me over two listens, however, and think I'd like it more on future listens. It reminds me Breeders or something to that effect. 3.75/5. rounding up to 4/5
Pretty cool lo-fi rock album. Not really my type of thing though.
lmao how did she go from this to “you’re being a penis… colada that is!” A
This is pretty cool. It def has that 90s alternative vibe, but Liz has quite a bit more going on than her poppier peers of the time. I’m surprised that this reminds me more of Sleater-Kinney than Alanis, but I really dig Phair’s atmospheric songwriting. It’s definitely LONG, but she covers so much ground it all feels essential - even if not on a single listen. 3.5
Musically, this is interesting, being a sassy mixture of up-tempo guitar based alternative pop/rock and mellow(ish) acoustic folk-rock. Her muttering vocal style sounds better on the mellower acoustic numbers like the short 'Glory', bluesy 'Soap Star Joe', folky 'Explain It To Me', experimental/avant-garde on 'Canary' and personal on ''Shatter'. To begin with I wasn't sure, at times her offhand delivery makes her sound a little off key (like the line "I wanna boyfriend" on 'Fuck and Run') but it's quite an arty & personal alternative styled album. My emotions ranged from finding her annoying early on to feeling a little sorry for her towards the end. Probably a few too many songs though.
Enjoyed this very much, had never heard of her before. Great lyrics and a groovy sound will defo check her work out.
She's not a great singer but it doesn't really matter, the whole package is OK. Just not great or particularly memorable.
Not very good.
I can see why this album was included, Liz Phair was considered a breakout female star on the 90s alternative rock scene, and for supporting Smashing Pumpkins. For an angsty, sexual empowered, vocal-led singer/songwriter - it's alright. Feels like it paved the way for the likes of Alanis Morissette, Tracey Bonham, et al. Could have been half the length and still had the same impact.
Sedate. Odd.
Not my favorite Liz Phair album, but still a good one.
The album is straight forward, raw in parts and laser focused on telling the story of a woman afloat in a setting that is as ill-fitting as hand-me-down clothes. The emotional baseline of the album isn't explosive or outraged like some of Liz's female-lead contemporaries (i.e. Alanis), but much more dry-witted and ambivalent akin to Courtney Barnett (who I really hope is on this list!) For exemplary paired down tracks, I'd point to 'Girls! Girls! Girls!' and 'Shatter'. For songs that include the band, I enjoyed 'Never Said' and 'Divorce Song'. Floating somewhere in between the two vibes are great tracks like 'Soap Star Joe'.
The music style is very different from the album cover lol The start of Canary is a star.
Really really liked this, great album with some catchy songs and some pretty slow ones, nice variety and a very good listen!
Good album, enjoyed it a lot! Very well done, will need to revisit to listen more
Liiiiiz
Sorry @ women this wasn't all I expected it to be, that being said there is a lot to enjoy about this album, I just wasn't interested in all of it. Felt like it dragged on for too long and didn't have enough payoff. 2.5/5
Grungey 90s songwriter, low key pretty good
Nope
Un best of des musiques de fin de Buffy contre les vampires
Narrow and a bit one-note-y as many cult classics are. When this came out, I remember thinking “what’s all the fuss?” though the endorsement of all the cool chicks made an impression. Yes, it’s substantive. And certainly the cleverness, raw emotion, pluck and attitude of the songs’ “characters” are all appealing. It also overreaches and/or seems to be trying too hard at times. “Fuck and Run” is a minor classic and “Never Said” and “Canary” are easy to like. Super resonant of the ‘90s, a borderline relic, actually; would sharper or more expansive production have made this more timeless? She’s more than a one-hit wonder, sure, but it’s only one record so maybe a “one-off” wonder? 3.5 is the score, rounding down.
was not something I was into. Didn't sound good either. Just not for me.
possibly would have gobbled this up as a teenager, got my alternate sources of feminist indie locked in these days
There are a number of decent songs on this. The first 5 come to mind. After that it's hit and miss. It would be higher rated if they had culled some of the filler rather than making a 56 min album. The indie stuff had a role in the music scene but some of it is boring.
My first impression listening to track 1 is that the sound is quirky & fresh (even 30 years later) and she's clever, in a good way, and a bit angry maybe. The only song I was familiar with was The Divorce Song which had blunt, personal lyrics that really capture a relationship gone sour. For me, she could be a bit less explicit. I’m sure I've ranted on this before (maybe for rap albums?) but I think that great lyricists don’t need obscenity to catch your attention. I mean, Fuck & Run is a good song but does it get so many more plays because it's that much better than others or is it the title? She uses sex to sell herself, as this and a few of her other LP covers show, but it's with tongue planted in cheek.
I see that lots of folks love this album but it simply did not resonate with me.
I can totally hear the indie rock and alternative influence this has had on music. Could get better with more listens.
I LOVE HER!!! Liz Phair, your music helped define my 2021! 4.5
Liz Phair - Exile In Guyville Canary She lost herself on the way back home, trying to find any solution of where's north, to go opposite. Rough vocals, grunge era and purple static, that's the recipe for an ordinary album in the middle of the 90s. Few tracks connect stories that Liz told about Johnny and her affairs, during the same time the tracklist go up and down as the instruments and her vocals are rusting and tearing apart all the way. Creating heroes, losing their minds and fame, while who takes the advice and glory is the one and only Liz walking alone in Guyville. C
Really fantastic. Great attitude, equal parts funny and strong. I've grown to be a big fan of this kind of music of late with artists like Soccer Mommy and Mitski, so to hear something from '93 this good has made me very happy.
Amerikansk 90’er indierock, singer/songwriter, udmærket lyrik, lidt for meget larm
:-(
3.5/5
Not usually a fan of singer-songwriter material. Always feel that the songs will be nice when they’re finished. And Phair’s voice sounds a bit strained in places - even from the start. But I do quite admire the no-holds-barred lyrics and subject matter. Not my usual style of listening choice but warmed to it more as it progressed, especially when other instruments got involved, such as the extra guitar on Mesmerizing or the synth loops and doubled vocals on Flower. 2.5 stars
Nice band feel to this, despite being a solo effort. Proper guitar, drums and bass set up. Powers through, right from the opening chords of the first track. It loses some of the bite when the sound is stripped down to just guitar and vocals. Still, a mighty impressive debut.
most excellent.
I like this one a lot actually. I can influence she's had on the sort of bedroom rock vibe. She definitely has had influence on like Soccer mommy, Japanese breakfast, phoebe bridgers, and maybe Kacey Musgraves in a weird off way. I think it's good. And it's response to exile on main street which I got recomennded just the other day, that's super neat I gotta say. I liked this more though lol.
I can hear this albums influence on many records in the indie world since it was released. Points for that. I have to say that I think listening to the album is a mixed bag though. There are some solid songs but I think they are outnumbered by songs that do little for me by about a 2 to 1 ratio.Yet another album that really could've edited down a bit in my opinion. 2 stars for the music 1 for the lasting influence
yeah nice, but boring
Boring and way too long.
Kind of a boring, overlong album, innit?
idk ! not my thing i didnt like the sound sorry women everywhere
I kept listening to half of this, then getting sidetracked and coming back to it a week later. Happily, it kept growing on me each time. It's got raw punk-leaning rock moments, bluesy americana vibes, and vulnerable emotional stuff, all mixed into an indie rock package (but back before indie sucked). Name your favourite 1990s alt-rock album and this is probably better! I like her voice and songwriting quite a lot. It's fun and self-aware but genuine. 4.5*
i can understand why its held in the esteem it is. not my bag though
I actually really liked a fair amount of this album. Think I would like it more if it was shorter. Solid 3.5.
Nee dit was hem niet echt, niet mijn jam
Liked it, feels empowering
I listened to this album once before, because of general recommendations that this is a good album. I did not like it then, and not much more now. Phair's drone singing, and the lyrics keep me from wanting to hear more from Phair. I'm done.
Interesting sound - low production. Sounds like a guitar plugged strait into an amp and recorded. A bit dull.
Brave to make this, brave to publish it, and wonderfully strange that such raw unpolished girl power was wildly successful. It’s rather inconsistent, but the good tracks are just phenomenal. 6’1”, Dance of the 7 Veils, Explain it to Me, Divorce Song, Flower, and Gunshy for me.
Ok
I knew a few songs. Enjoyable album.
Meh
My 90s crush on flat singers is still running strong. Juliana Hatfield all the way. Sorry Liz. I'm a Lemonhead.
Say, this sounds like it influenced a lot of 90s indie music.
The best from this album IMO: - Glory - Never Said - Mesmerizing - Gunshy - Stratford-On-Guy Not bad. Very interesting chords at times. Some songs remind me of Blur. 3.3/5
Enjoyed this one. Cool songs and lyrics. Very 90s dropped D. Angsty songs fav was the divorce song though none of the others really stood out. 3.5
-Damn they actually kinda go ham in "Strange Loop" -I like the fast-paced lyrics on 'Flower" and "Johnny Sunshine" -This is stronger than the average singer songwriter album
With some of these albums I don't have the slightest clue why they might be on here. This is one of those albums. This was a complete waste of time. Not interesting in any kind of way and not really good in any way either.
No le encontré la gracia sinceramente. Pero la Rolling Stones la puso n° 56 en el ranking de los mejores discos de la historia.
This was pretty cool but not much stuck out for me
Love the righteous anger, hate the singing voice. Best track: The Divorce Song
Liked it!
Ahead of her time. Really helped pioneer the feminist rock movement. Liz Phair was always unapologetically crass and sexual in her lyrics when it was still a double standard where men could be crude but women had to be proper in their songs. My only knock is Musically, it takes a few interesting turns but kind of sticks in the same generic realm. Fave songs: “Fuck and Run” “Help Me Mary” Fave Tracks:
bruh
For someone who cares so much about musicianship, it might seem odd that I like Exile in Guyville so much. Liz Phair isn't much of a guitarist, and has a rough voice, to be generous. But the songwriting! The way Phair structures the songs on Exile is clever, interesting, and wholly original. The skeletal arrangements actually work in the album's favor, accentuating the songwriting and lyrics, which are uniformly wonderful. And for all of Phair's technical shortcomings as a singer, her interpretive skills set these songs on fire--she's completely naked emotionally. And, if that weren't enough, there's tremendous range in these songs, from rockers to drones and everything in between. Damned near perfect for what it is.
compelling lyrics
These are good songs and I think they are holding up well. Love the idea of this album being a song by song reply to Exile on Main Street. The stripped down sound is perfect. Didn't connect until this listen that "Shatter" is often used as background music for This American Life.
I like Liz Phair. Makes me feel nostalgic. Wasn't a huge fan back in the day but had many friends who were.
Kind of caught me off-guard how honest/explicit some of the lyrics were in comparison to the voice. Not bad, but nothing blew me away.
Like Cheryl Crow but worse.