whitechocolatespaceegg

liz phair

capitol, 1998

Mood—Good, strong, sure.

Sample: "Go On Ahead"

Thoughts— I'm inclined to say that Whitechocolatespaceegg is an "important" album, but I couldn't tell you why. I don't own anything else by Liz Phair, nor do I have the desire to. This album is perfectly encapsulated within itself and, to me, needs no overt connection to the artist in order to be meaningful. I'm glad for that too, as I was always a bit turned off by her later celebrity "sexualization."

Certain albums feel like 90s albums, and if you asked me to name three, this would be one of them, even though it rests neatly on the tail end of that decade. Is it the sound of the bass guitar? Is it the fact that the singer exudes that strong-yet-flawed aesthetic that so many alt-pop girls do? The realistic, first person lyrical style? Something else, or all of that and more?

I can't recall when or where I picked this album up, whether it was a random used-bin buy or if I had been swayed into looking for it by someone who scoffed that I didn't know who Liz Phair was. I have a sneaking suspician that a track from this album was put on a mix tape for me, which would likely result in my purchase. Truth is, though, I'm a sucker for this type of album, for this type of girl.

How it landed in my lap is inconsequential. I am glad that it did. This is a perfect road trip album with a great summer/fall sound. Songs like "Johnny Feelgood" and "Baby Got Going" provide excellent ups while "Uncle Alvarez" and "Fantasize" are laid back and comfortable. Anyone who knows me knows I'm a sucker for incongruous and interseting sounds. In particular, the beginning of "What Makes You Happy" with its clipped guitar intro that feels almost-computerized jumps out at me every time.

There is a lot of variation on this disk while still staying cohesive. This is the sign of a true album, for me.

Recommended? This should be in every music listener's collection, without question.

Link—lizphair.com

Tracklist
1. Whitechocolatespaceegg
2. Big Tall Man
3. Perfect World
4. Johnny Feelgood
5. Polyester Bride
6. Love Is Nothing
7. Baby Got Going
8. Uncle Alvarez
9. Only Son
10. Go On Ahead
11. Headache
12. Ride
13. What Makes You Happy
14. Fantasize
15. Shitloads Of Money
16. Girls Room