Exile In Guyville

Boring, weird and bad vocals. Great combo. Some songs are slightly better but I still don’t like it at all on the whole.

This is one of those albums where I went in having a very vague expectation of what the general vibe was going to be. I was expecting much more of a punk rock, in-your-face, angry vibe. And while there is some of that, most of it is definitely not. Maybe shame on me for having preconceived notions, but I was surprised that a lot of this was almost folk-y sounding, acoustic, and emotional. Now I will say that the lyrical content is fairly deep. “Canary”, in my interpretation, is analogous to being the “good girl” that conforms to societal norms. “Fuck And Run” is about those relationships we have all gone back to, knowing damn well that they are no good for us and will wind up nowhere. And those are just some of the many examples throughout the 18 tracks on this monster. So while being far from shallow, it doesn’t have the sound I’m looking for. At least not all the way through.

I had never heard of this album before but really enjoyed today's :)

The lyrics here are crazy. The songs are clever. The guitar sounds annoy me and I can't get past it

I’ll be phair and say that this wasn’t too bad there were some good songs. but liz be honest it wasn’t great, respect to her though

Вперше чую) Прикольна співачка)

Not bad!

I never really connected with Liz Phair, but was glad to see a female driving force out there. This album feels very long, too long. I guess that means I'm not really enjoying it. Meh.

I gave it an honest try but couldn’t get into it. Not my vibe but can appreciate it so giving it a 2.

j'aime beaucoup sa voix grave, ses textes sont intéressants et la guitare est top. super album

I feel that she has always been a bit underrated.

Definitely some enjoyable songs on this album, but even more just plain mid songs that didn't do anything for me. My biggest gripe is that a lot of the melodies are weak and uncompelling. A bit more refinement and fleshing out of the songs would have gone a long way to elevate things. Way she goes.

A bit long for my taste but it wasn’t terrible.

I find the idea of this fascinating. Such a cool project. Kind is hard to listen to, though. Possible that this is just sexism. Thinking about it

Not the best thing I’ve ever listened to, but it’s not like ear bleed level. None of the songs really jumped out at me but they were perfectly listenable. It was fine, not bjork bad.

kinda feels like its trying to be sonic youth and, as someone pointed out, hole. it has its own merits though

If Elliott Smith were a woman, he'd have sounded like this.

I’ve heard Liz Phair’s name throughout my life, but I’m just realizing I’ve never actually heard a single one of her songs. After listening to this album, I wish I could go back to that time in my life. I am not a fan of her singing, but it seems like she can write a song.

So good. I don’t care about concept album dimension - this is just piercing and wonderful.

When I saw the assignment I initially thought I could rate it without listening to it; I know it by heart and we saw her last month. But we did end up playing it, and even in a car with questionable speakers, I remembered its real strengths: it is a coherent album (and many of the reviewers here could benefit from some liner notes); as tempting as it is to lump her together with Courtney Love or PJ Harvey or whoever, she really did have a distinct sound that didn't rely on abrasiveness or volume; and she had something very pointed to say. Her career after this was decidedly spotty but this really is outstanding. I'm rounding up from 4.5, but this morning I would have given it a 4.

Get a load of me get a load of you lady. 6"1' Canary and probably Flower

'& all the bridges blown away keep floating up.' Most people don't - can't - do attitude this well & this comfortably, but Liz Phair is a wholesome genius of the pop persuasion, & Exile In Guyville is a miracle of a record. It's very tempting to compare Phair to PJ Harvey, but comparing woman to woman can be not all that nuanced a business, & their styles are actually different enuf for the comp to be empty. More like an amalgam of Lucinda Williams & Malkmus, Phair is wise but not too wise, sensitive but not too sensitive, a punk hero, pop master, rock realist, & a conclusive vocalist. 'Explain It To Me' is simply extraordinary, one of those tracks you hear for the first time & know it'll be one for the books. Yet so much here is extraordinary. I love it.

*1993. *I almost like the sound - it's like a wannabe Hole, but Liz kinda sounds like a poser. *Lyrics are largely really juvenile while trying to be edgy. Maybe it worked better in the early 90s. *I thought I'd like this better than I did, as I'm into the angry 90s woman vibe. But it's not hitting for me. *This is really a strong 2, but bumping to a 3 because it isn't that terrible. RATING - 5.5/10

This is an album I just can’t figure out. I see this on many critics lists of best albums but it just seems to go on forever. I understand some of the themes of women taking back the power in the relationship but maybe since I am a man I just didn’t get it. The voice also seemed like a weaker Courtney Love

Decent enough, but didn’t really have me in awe or anything. Wouldn’t rush back to it.

I found myself liking this album more than anticipated... Unfortunately. Why do I say unfortunately? Because this is the perfect representation of the major criticisms of 90's music: "Talentless unskilled crap with little technical skill." While I suppose saying that implies I think as much about this album (and to a certain extent, I do), I do think there is an important element to the storytelling and nonchalance of this album--and to a greater degree, the grungier albums of the 90's. I don't want to jump the gun and assert that this album is only on here due to Phair's apparent feminist ties (after all, this is a list of albums one MUST listen to, not necessarily the best albums), but it does shock me that this album makes the list. Then again, I liked it.

Favorite Track: Fuck and Run

This is a pleasant surprise as I’d never heard of her! A lo-fi, stripped back, indie/folk little number. She seems quite angry and I suspect on the second listen I may tune into the lyrics and find this a bit more disturbing!

Really good, a little long, but I enjoyed it.

*From* Guyville sounds more like it.

Schwer anzuhören

mid

3.75 🤘🤘

This was quite shit.

Whipsmart is my fav, but Guyville is certainly very good.

Her lyrics are simple n straight forward but being her debut album it will be interesting to see how her songwriting progressed. I'm sure she was popular with the teenage girls when it came out.

This isn't bad but I feel like you have to be in a specific mood for this kind of music to really hit.

never gave her a listen until today. Good stuff, although I do not feel I was missing anything these past 33 years...

Not the best singer but it works really well as a soft lo fi indie rock piece. Likes: Never Said; Fuck and Run; Divorce Song

Aged like a fine wine.

Really not a fan. Like a worse Alanis Morisette (and I didn’t like that album either). Maybe if this didn’t directly follow the greatest album ever made I’d cut some slack, but no. 2 stars

Audacious. If it were merely Liz Phair doing a lo-fi 90s indie rock album, mainly just her and her guitar, singing about relationships and raunch, it would be a winner. But to know that this was a song-for-song reply album to Exile on Main Street by the Stones, this puts it in the classic category.

Generally not a fan of the singing style, but Canary had me captivated.

4/10 - whiny teen rock

fine

Fali nešto. Više života. Više energije. Više bijesa. Ovako ispada veoma bljutavo što definitivno nije željeni utisak. I predugo traje.

one of those great female alternative 90s stuff

One of the formative 90's Indie music albums. Pitchfork: n/a Rolling Stone: Top 500 Albums #56

Fuck and run, man. Fuck and run.

I dont like it

la verdad me sorprendió, al principio no creí que me iba a gustar pero al final terminé muy enganchada

Kind of all over the place but I enjoyed it

Day997 - passion and good lyrics is better than polish

God awful.

The 90s called and this album picked up. It's not my usual fare but there's something compelling about it.

Yeah, great. I get the impression that there is some pretty cool stuff going on lyrically here that I'm not quite in tune with because I tend to miss lyrics. I guess it hear enough to know that she's a woman not afraid to talk about female sexuality which seems admirable (hope I haven't got the wrong end of the stick). The delivery style works great in places and sometimes for me personally it just doesn't chime and kind of seems nothing special.

I avoided Liz and this album when it first came out. It was way better than I gave it credit. Still only a 3 though.

Ok

Many of the songs do really clever things with that makes the songs interesting and makes the album feel cohesive even though the songs differ a lot. I enjoyed it but something was missing, I was waiting for some song that made the singer really go for it but it never came. Her voice is great but it feels like she could have gotten a bit louder, like she could have taken the center stage a bit more. But it kept being subdued instead. Its not music I listen to often and while I might have something like this on in the background its not an album I will be seeking out for that purpose.

I liked this! It is the kind of feeling though that I might have to give it a relisten to fully engage with the songs. I like Liz Phair's voice and vibe a lot though, so I'll look forward to exploring her music more. Fav Tracks: "Never Said", "Divorce Song" and "Johnny Sunshine".

The production on this just doesn't sound all too great but there's some interesting moments here, they're just wayyy too rare. 1.5/5

At the time, such a breakthrough. What a talent.

Liz Phair is so underrated! This is her most famous but not even her best album in my opinion. But this was such an amazing way to kick off her career. So raw and real here - she does not hold back at all or shy away from telling the truth. This is such an important album for indie rock and women singer/songwriters. Lyrics are so good and the sparse guitar works so well. It's long and not every song hits, but when it does, it really does. Top Songs: 6'1", Never Said, F**k and Run, Divorce Song, Strange Loop

Gosh this book makes you realise how much music is actually out there in the world and so little of it actually permeates the veil of our own personal experiences. As someone who is always listening, so much still goes unheard. How many lifetimes would I need to hear it all I wonder. My list would be so extremely different if I ever took the time to curate such. I have never heard of Liz before, first thing I notice is that this album has a whopping 21 tracks! The chord progressions of the first tracks remind me of smashmouth haha nothing incredibly unique there and her voice certainly isn’t anything outstanding but interesting stories are told within the lyrics. Further listening, reminds me of Merideth Brooks/Sheryl Crow, typical of 90’s pop/rock chicks I suppose, same sort of musicality and voice tonality, same sort of honest bluntness in the words. Like many other reviews so far, I struggle to just listen to the album for what it is but wonder what missed out so this could make the list? For the sheer amount of songs she squeezed in? The possible ‘nip slip’ on the cover? Would I buy this record if I saw it in the $5 bargain bin - no

21 songs, but only available 17 on Spotify Fairly monotone voice, but it works for the songs and their lyrical content tbh. Didn't blow me away or anything, but it's not bad.

Overt and honest lyrics on sex and relationships. I was surprised by how much I liked this. Phair isn't a great singer, but her vocals didn't take away from the album.

Nothing catchy mais ressemble a Sheryl crow donc pas nul

I probably shouldn't get my hopes up for an indie singer-songwriter album whose primary positive trait is "powerful, emotionally honest lyrics!" but I've heard of it, at least, so it counts for something It's kind of bland to listen through musically and whatever impact the lyrics had is lost on my 2020s mind, but it's not bad, the album's not so much one-note as simply a little desaturated and low-contrast

Her dad obviously owns the record label. She cant sing and guitar sounds like elastic bands. Absolutely dreadful voice. I always thought Sheryl Crow was the worst female vocalist Id heard but this is waaaay worse.

This is exactly what I expected it to be. Something to accompany 90s American coming-of-age dramas. Boy and girl fall out *sad song plays* girl empowers herself *"rock" track plays* It's not good. It's not bad either. It merely exists in a pocket of the 90s with floppy haired boys and girls who have a don't-care attitude.

Album was okay, not really for me. 4.1/10

я правда пыталась вслушаться, но это просто не моё. имеет ли смысл вчитываться в контекст? может, позже

I enjoyed the songwriting and angst of this album by Liz Phair, but the music didn't really stand out itself.

Track By Track 6’1” - cool slightly grungy poppy guitar. Very ‘90s girly vibe. Nice! Help Me Mary - can almost see this on a soundtrack on a 90s show or something. Quite nice melodies. Glory - This kind of reminds me of raw Nirvana in its feel. Makes sense as I think it was made around a very similar time. Again, grungy. A good little interlude kind of song, or a sketch of sorts. Dance of the Seven Veils - very indicative of that loose singer-songwriting style of the ‘90s and beyond. It’s got a little of Fiona Apple to me. Never Said - Sounds like a classic for some reason. Like the chord progression. Harmonies are cool and quite nice girl rock. Soap Star Joe - to me, this is the first one that slightly more overly references the Stones’ album this is a response to. With that portrait and the harmonica coming in, has that slight blues twinge to it. But it’s subverted. I like. Explain It To Me - I like the echoing guitar chords. This has a very specific feel to it. Kind of wistful and reflective. There’s a certain sadness to it also. Canary - Again echoing in the piano this time. A similar feel to the last song. Like it’s recalling something. Mesmerising - I like the lyrics. To me it out really clearly a feminine desire and plea. Good guitar licks and lines also. Fuck and Run - This feels very demo-y. Again, very ‘90s, stripped back feel. Again I’m liking the honesty of the lyrics. Girls! Girls! Girls! - Is this a self-aware portrait of her manipulation/use of men? Or more of a funny joking one? I feel like it may be the former. It’s succinct and to the point. Divorce Song - brilliant lyrically and paints the portrait of a relationship very well. Didn’t love the music of this one as much. I do like a bit of harmonica though, must say. Shatter - quite like the slightly moody and atmospheric long intro. In the middle it almost reminded me of Jeff Buckley in its tone. The emotion comes through here very well too. Sad. Flower - it’s got real humour to it. I was amused. It’s pretty real. Really only makes sense in the context of this album though! Johnny Sunshine - it’s like this and a few others on this record are like loose sketches for many genres to come, like singer-songwriter (particularly women) & bedroom, grunge, pop, indie rock kind of as well. Gunshy - it’s quite intimate this one, almost domestic. Moody again for sure. Stratford-On-Guy - another Nirvana-esque one. Didn’t love this one very much. Little too drowned out. Strange Loop - a good closer lyrically, but didn’t love the music very much. Again, very self aware. Overall Review: It’s very much its own world. Was a nice voyage into it. I don’t know if I loved it. It has a very loose, paintbrush-like style. I read in another review that this was trailblazing for the kind of bedroom pop confessional sound that so many women are emulating now. I can hear it. People like Soccer Mommy, Beabadoobee. I can also hear Foster The People in one actually. Hadn’t heard of either the album or the artist before as well. Although I didn’t enjoy a huge amount of the songs, I did like a few & can hear their influence. 3.4/5 Additional Note: I wanted to mention that I’m really enjoying this project so far, for two reasons: a) it’s shifting my mindset as to how I listen to music. Whilst I will occasionally listen to an album front to back, I don’t usually and this has helped me to really sit with each artist’s work and appreciate it for what it is, live in their world for however many tracks and that level of immersion is something that I’m really enjoying. b) it’s expanding my listening in general, through auto play and also hearing different influences, it’s helping me map out different styles, genres and artists and connect the dots as to how they relate or just discover something or someone new. Favourite Songs: Fuck and Run, Shatter

I wasn’t too keen on this album.

I need to listen to this a few more times, but I really do prefer white chocolate space egg

Nice album

Fairly average singer-songwriting with an irritating voice delivering it. No thanks.

I mean it’s not bad, in fact some of it is pretty good … but some of it isn’t, and it does drag on a bit. I can’t imagine playing this again.

So many opinions about this album and what it all meant. Feel the same way I felt about it when I first heard it: There are some really geat songs here like "Never Said," "Fuck and Run," and "Divorce Song." The rest is pretty forgettable.

nao curti muito, apesar de ser um album feminino

Heard before?:❌️ Will listen again?:❌️

As sparse as some of these songs may seem at first glance, there is clearly a lot going on here in terms of lyrical content, musical composition and of course overall attitude. So much so, that I don't quite feel equipped to say much of substance after only two listens, other than that this album has entered my radar as a classic and will likely remain there.

Jamais écouté avant. Top : Never Said Flop : Girls! Girls! Girls!

Not really a fan of this album. Her vocal delivery got old to me pretty quickly. A lot of this sounded like 90's teenage angst type music, which I felt ran it's course pretty early on into the album.

I kinda miss this version of in-your-face feminism and girl rocking. It's about as subtle as a sledgehammer, but that's what makes it fun. Some of the writing was a little trite, and none of the songs met the standard for "wow, who would have thought of THAT?", but it was fun and rocking enough for a 3.5/5.

Álbum comumzaço, tenho impressão que já ouvi uns 80 parecidos.

7/10… 90s indie / alternative rock / *1993

Overall: 6/10 This was okay. I love rock led by women normally, but there wasn't really anything on this album to hook me in. Decent, but nothing special. Especially when I saw this compared to Jagged Little Pill. You wish. Fav Song: Shatter

I love Liz!! Old grungy stuff, newer poppy stuff, whatever. This is cool as hell

I'm not sure if the album cover is a sendup on the movie poster for Jaws, but it certainly works in this context. Just a brilliant piece of work from front to back. Liz is a queen.

This felt somewhat bland but ok or good at the same time. 6/10?

Being a habitual music listener constantly searching for classics to add my mental rolodex, I keep an ever-growing list of rainy day albums I’ll get to “one day.” This was one such album, and it did not disappoint. Listening in 2026, it’s easy to take this album’s particular influence for granted, since this kind of sparse, unapologetic indie rock is pretty pedestrian these days. Reading interviews, though, and acquainting myself with Phair’s attendant lore, it really struck me just how revelatory “Guyville” must have been. This is an unbelievably full-formed debut, and one that showcases so much insistence and artistic confidence. Phair manages to sound like the quintessence of 90s singer-songwriter music while remaining entirely singular. 18 tracks is a little indulgent (yes, I know about the “Exile on Main St.” thing), but I was still deeply impressed by this album and can’t wait to spend the rest of my life revisiting it. Fav Tracks: 6’1”, Dance of the Seven Veils, Never Said, Soap Star Joe, Explain It To Me, Canary, Fuck and Run, Divorce Song, Johnny Sunshine, Strange Loop Least Fav: Shatter Score: 9

Ça sonne comme le côté joyeux des 90s. Genre mettons Alanis Morissette. Wikipedia parle de lo-fi. Comme le post-rock, j'ai aucune idée de quoi en parle, et ça a l'air plutôt bien produit, je trouve. Sauf Glory qui a peut-être un ti son de cacanne qui fait penser au Dôme de Notre-Leloup-national. C'est aussi une réponse à Exile on Main St. apparemment? Eh ben... pas sûr... Ce mamelon là a définitivement moins fait jaser que celui de Janet.

Une petite touche féminine dans l'alternative rock des 90s qui était foncièrement masculin et macho. Seule affaire, j'écoutais sa voix et je pensais constamment à Hole et Celebrity Skin. J'avais envie d'écouter cet album, qui de mon humble avis est supérieur. Pas bon signe quand t'écoutes un album et t'as envie d'en écouter un autre.

Pretty sure I'm not the target market for this album. Absolutely bland.

This kinda sounds like the soundtrack to all early noughties romcoms / teen dramas

Love the concept and the songwriting. Her singing seems to be a bit of an acquired taste, but I like it more with every run.

Not my favorite vocals

The vocals don’t really fit with the instrumentation. I don’t know why. But I think I do enjoy it