Review by LarryG
3 stars out of 4
Liz caught the alternative rock world's attention trying to shock us with
her tales of unsafe sex on Exile in Guyville, getting called the
thinking man's Madonna. The music was often as nontraditionial as
the lyrics. Then came Whip Smart, where she tried, with mixed results
to make a basically mainstream rock record. The latest one is
also in the mainstream but now that she's a wife and mom, she sounds
more comfortable there. On Polyester Bride, her character gets told
off for acting like a silly girl. There's some filler but most of the
record works:the ridiculously catchy What Makes You
Happy, the cool electronic pop of Headache and the beautiful
Perfect World. The lyrics range pretty wildly from the wry Uncle
Alvarez, about the imaginary accomplishments a family attributes
to the guy in the picture on the wall to the fairly stupid Johnny
Feelgood, another tribute to a jerk who knows how to serve
her woman's needs.
Review by MusicBox
3 stars out of 4
It seems as though Liz Phair's decision to settle down with
a husband and new baby has caused profound changes in her music.
Her latest album Whitechocolatespaceegg is a bit of a departure
from her previous ablums where the songs focused on one
night stands and blow jobs. Phair's delightful guitar playing
and catchy lyrics make this album an instant classic. It's hard
not fall in love with each and every song as Phair shows us her softer
side. The title track White Chocolate Space Egg begins the album
and the sentimental Girls' Room rounds it out with Phair
lamenting about her young girlfriends and their popularity.
Although Phair reveals some of her insecurities in Perfect World,
she lets a little of her cynical side poke through with Shitloads of
Money, with the line "it's nice to be liked, but it's better by far
to get paid."
Somewhere between Indie and Folk, Phair lays the groundwork for a
classic with this album. With strange melodies behind her, Phairs
unusual, full voice completes each song into tunes that are hard not to
sing along to. While Whitechocolatespaceegg may not be the edgy must-own
album that Exile In Guyville (one of her previous albums) is, it's hard to
ignore this album as one of Phair's best. As husband, baby, and Phair
make three, it seems as though domestic life has complimented Phair
well. If you like PJ Harvey or Elliott Smith, you will have no choice
but to fall in love with Whitechocolatespaceegg.
Here's what others reviewers have to say:
"...The softer songs...are engagingly intimate....The harder,
more upbeat numbers are playful and pop-y, with just enough dry humor
to keep them from floating away....WHITECHOCOLATESPACEEGG explores the
dynamics of marital endurance..." 4 Stars (out of 5) Rolling
Stone 8/20/98, p.107
|
