Page 142 - ThePhoenix1994-95

Rich's Review: Liz Phair gets "fair" review with a and steady number, Liz Phair: Whip-smart use of electric at the forefront to cause a sonic opposed to acting like a ten-year speaking slowly upbeat voice used for the first two high-girlish Produced ("directed") by Liz Phair onslaught, it can sometimes be difficult for his or her first dirty word. The first single words of each verse line while Phair's usual Released by Matador! Atlantic Records this reviewer to listen to more mellow mu- off of the album, this is perhaps one the best voices returns to complete the rest of the Rating ***1/2 sic without worrying about succumb to the songs on the album along with having one lines. Then the chorus comes in with lines Reviewed by Richard Thomas temptations of dozing off. However, a critic of the catchiest choruses of the fourteen should look into something he or she is cri- songs. Also, "Supernova" is one of few such as "Now I'm not looking forward to Liz Phair is probably one of the most tiquing not what he or she wants it to be (as songs in which electric guitars are at the missing youl But I must have something better to do," and then ends with the phrase praised alternative (or whatever other label wonderful as that would sound). With that forefront. "Go west, young man." About her leaving you want to use for "college rock" music) in mind, the album may no sound as impres- While other musicians such as Casey a relationship, "Go West" is perhaps one of artists to come up in the past couple of years sive as expected to begin with, but "Whip- Rice who plays guitar (and does many of the best songs on the album, and is one of or so. smart" and Liz Phair, in general, has started the guitar solos) and Brad Wood doing much those songs that one would wish would go The skinny blonde from Chicago made to grow on this reviewer. This is not to say of the drum chores and a little bit of bass do a debut in 1993 called "Exile In Guyville," that it was not a good album to being, just have some good moments, the album is on longer. only clocks in In fact, "Whip-smart" a hit among the college rock circles and the that it has gotten better due to repeated lis- mostly Liz Phair, as evident by the fact that at 42 minutes, despite the fact that there are rock critics, with the main concept being tens. Beginning things off is "Chopsticks," she writes and "directs" every track. Phair fourteen songs on the album. This a wel- the fact that the album was a song by song a song comprised mainly of Phair singing has a knack for a great chorus, as is shown come relief amid the current mentality of woman's response 10 the classic Rolling and playing the piano with John Henderson in the song, "Shane" in which the line "You "since there's 75 minutes to a CD, lets cram Stones album, "Exile On Main St." It was joining on guitar halfway through the song. gotta have fear in your heart" is repeated as much junk in there to try to impress ev- a mucho gutso move on the part of Phair. Phair sings this matter-of-factly which can with backing vocals over a dozen times be- eryone and make them think we're making How many artists want to start their record- be monotonous if nOI for what she actually fore the song ends, and it is 10 Phair's credit a masterpiece like 'The Wall' or 'Sgt. Pep- ing careers by putting their album into com- sings which is about her and her loving do- that the effect is not monotonous and will per"'. What makes the album impressive parison with perhaps one of rock's albums, ing what lovers do what lovers do (C'mon. I not make one press the skip or fast-forward is how Phair can drawn song out enough in which is "Exile On Main St."? have to be somewhat appropriate here!). button. Sometimes, Phair's lyrics can be too an average time of three minutes without Because of the Stones comparisons on Things truly kick in at the start of "Su- emphasized with rhyming almost to the having it drag on. As a singer, her voice the first album, this reviewer has decided to pernova." With its spacey guitars and nearly point of sounding contrived and sing-songy, may need some depth but it still works with skip ahead to Whip-smart first, which is the droning rhythm, Phair tells her lover, very as in the line from "Cinco de Mayo" which the material at hand. Sometimes it can be a follow-up album (which interestingly frankly, "You f#?k like a volcano, and you're says: "Cinco De Mayol From out of Ohio." little one-dimensional, such as "Chop- enough has an intro riff in "Jealousy" that everything to me." Off course, using pro- There are still some moments in the album sticks," but it does express some depth when would probably do Jagger and Richards fanity is nothing new in rock, but despite the in which such lyrics can be forgotten, such given the chance. While this is not a "mas- proud). usc of certain four letter words, Phair uses it as "Go West," a song with primarily acous- terpiece," it is still a well done album. As with any album without consistent in the context of her songs and images as tic guitars, drums, bass, and sing. This a 4 mOnth, deferred paymentS yOu'll have anOther 119 day' befOre yOu hOVe to ,tort wOrking. f,nanCing. 1-~I The ~400 (o,h bOck i, In additiOn to any othe' Offe' or yOu can 'o\.e advantage Of 'pecial purchase And with your pre-opproved (,e,M. th.,ll nO down payment and nO poymen. fOr 120 day •. So hurry in. .1iiI~.