From: owner-support-system-digest@smoe.org (support-system-digest) To: support-system-digest@smoe.org Subject: support-system-digest V8 #129 Reply-To: support-system@smoe.org Sender: owner-support-system-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-support-system-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk support-system-digest Saturday, October 8 2005 Volume 08 : Number 129 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [support-system] Somebody's Miracle reviews (The Heights / KC Star) [Kenn] [support-system] Somebody's Miracle reviews (liveDaily) [Kenneth Lee Subject: [support-system] Somebody's Miracle reviews (The Heights / KC Star) Three more "Somebody's Miracles" reviews: From The Heights: (http://www.bcheights.com/media/paper144/news/2005/10/06/TheScene/Album.Review.Its.Phair.But.Its.Not.What.Old.Fans.Are.Expecting-1012116.shtml) Album review: It's Phair, but it's not what old fans are expecting By Louis Tullo 3 Stars Liz Phair "Somebody's Miracle" (Capitol Records) Multi-layered is the best way to describe Liz Phair's fifth studio album, "Somebody's Miracle". While there are definitely a lot of gems in this release, it seems as if Capitol Records had marketing problems that in some ways make the record somewhat confusing to listen to. The first two tracks, "Leap of Innocence" and "Wind and the Mountain," could both be easily left off the album to make it much more contiguous. In these two songs, Phair tries a little to hard to channel some kind of vibe from Sheryl Crow and the result is boring. These two tracks lack the strong lyrics fans expect from this once edgy Indie star, and the music is monotonous and weak. Talking about climbing the mountain to find "the Lord" in "Wind and the Mountain" is the most obvious proof of this, as fans are used to hearing expletives instead of scenery in Phair's lyrics, although that doesn't necessarily preclude her from referencing God. "Stars and Planets" gives the album a good pickup, providing better evidence that it was none other than the female-pop producer of the hour, John Shanks, who worked on the record. With this track's sing-a-long quality, we might be hearing it on the radio sometime soon, further allowing him to bombard the mainstream. Nevertheless, this track is fun to listen to and establishes the fact that this is a pop album in all respects. The theme of love will resonate, although Phair might revert to some type of in-your-face lyrics that fans of her 1993 debut, "Exile in Guyville", may be hoping to hear. In subsequent tracks, we see a few more good pop songs that could easily be singles, but one particularly standout track is "Count on My Love." This personal favorite has awesome vocals and a blissful message encapsulated in the lyrics, "When you feel your hope is fading you can count on my love." Seeing the album's first single, "Everything to Me" so late in the track listing is quite surprising, as following songs like "Count on My Love" it shows the greatest depth on the album. It's the first time the strings that have become clichi of female pop music become prominent and where the lyrics ask the classic introspective question, "Do you really know me?," also characteristic of the genre. This is by far one of the best songs on the album. As the eighth track, "Count on My Love" makes the listener really have to trek through the album to find it. The acoustic base of "Table for One" is a poignant ballad about drowning out your emotions in alcohol and is surprisingly moving. With lyrics like, "I want to bring all those demons that drank with me," one sees the refreshingly darker side of Phair that is anesthetized on the rest of the album. "Why I Lie" and "Lost Tonight" harness the new wave of the pop-rock genre. Phair's signature vocals on "Everything (Between Us)" perfectly communicate the message, "We have nothing left to fear because it's never gonna leave us." After a long listen, it is easy to see that "Stars and Plants" is the "Why Can't I?" of this new album. With hope, Capitol will get its act together and release it as a single. "Somebody's Miracle" could have been better, but it does a good job at what it tries to accomplish, and has the occasional "amazing" track that will leave long-time fans of Phair with the hope they'll see the provocative, foul-mouthed songstress they love soon. ***** From The Kansas City Star: (http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/entertainment/12824763.htm) Liz Phair "Somebodys Miracle" (Capitol) 2-1/2 stars Two years ago, she took the red pill and bolted the shadow of the valley of indie-land for the mainstream-pop highway. She toured with Hilary Duff and acted like a gal half her age, singing about doing it with boy toys in songs crafted, shined and laser-honed for Top 40 radio programmers. "Miracle" is neither a sequel to "Liz Phair" nor a return to "Guyville". Instead, its a compromise - a plan, it seems, to draw back some of the fans who abandoned Phair after her last album and to hang on to some of the old and new ones who appreciated its unambiguous virtues. Musically, "Miracle" falls smack in the middle of the adult-alternative rock format - melodies and arrangements that would get along nicely in the space between Coldplay and Rob Thomas. Lyrically it strives to render a portrait of a woman approaching her 40th birthday who has been rummaging through the lessons she has learned and mistakes she has made since she started letting men into her bed and under her skin. These days, shes more interested in the love and companionship than the sex (but just barely): What youve got in your heart / Is enough to make me start / Filling up holes in my soul, she confesses in Closer to You. "Miracle" serves up a few modest rewards (Got My Own Thing, Lazy Dreamer, Giving It All to You), bright songs with catchy tunes and durable grooves. But in the end it feels like a compromise and a concession, a splitting of the difference between her fling with pop stardom and her status in the indie-rock world - from a woman whose heart is in neither place. There are days when Im too tired, Phair sings on Wind and Mountain, and there are moments in "Miracle" where that seems evident. - - Timothy Finn - -Ken kenmlee@ix.netcom.com MeSmErIzInG - AnOtHeR LiZ PhAiR WeBsItE http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Club/2471/ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 07 Oct 2005 14:55:03 -0700 From: Kenneth Lee Subject: [support-system] Somebody's Miracle reviews (liveDaily) From liveDaily: (http://www.livedaily.com/reviews/Album_Review_Liz_Phair_Somebodys_Miracle_Capitol-8904.html?t=98) Album Review: Liz Phair, "Somebody's Miracle" (Capitol) by Don Zulaica liveDaily Contributor Liz Phair's indie credibility took a tumble with her self-titled 2003 collaboration with The Matrix, the production team that turned knobs for Avril Lavigne, Michelle Branch and Hilary Duff. The pop sheen of "Why Can't I," as catchy as it was, didn't pack the salacious crotch-grab of "Flower," from her 1993 debut, "Exile in Guyville". Those expecting any elements remotely close to "Guyville" or the 1994 follow-up, "Whip-Smart", won't find them in "Miracle". In fact, the slick, Avril-ish 2003 effort has evolved to an even slicker, adult contemporary album that might be expected out of Shawn Colvin or Sheryl Crow. Not necessarily bad news, if you're into Colvin or Crow. The songs flow together seamlessly, all essentially mid-tempo and completely listenable, but the fire that permeated the early career seems to be on the back burner. "Everything To Me" is a jangly acoustic and plaintive plea--not really a demand--for guy maturity. The bouncy "Stars and Planets" repeats "We all shine, shine, shine" so often that John Lennon's estate may be in touch, and Brian Wilson would smile at the lush multi-tracked vocal harmonies of "Count on My Love." As a well-oiled pop stroll, "Miracle" works fine, and if Phair wanted to distance herself from "Guyville"'s grit, she's done it in spades. - -Ken kenmlee@ix.netcom.com MeSmErIzInG - AnOtHeR LiZ PhAiR WeBsItE http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Club/2471/ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 07 Oct 2005 15:01:31 -0700 From: Kenneth Lee Subject: [support-system] Somebody's Miracle reviews (Miami Herald / Lexington Herald-Leader) From The Miami Herald: (http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/12830309.htm?source=rss&channel= miamiherald_living) LIZ PHAIR "Somebody's Miracle" Capitol * 1/2 When Liz Phair shook up the lo-fi rock scene in 1993 with her brilliant debut "Exile In Guyville", some complained that she was gratuitously sexual. Others said she had an original voice, but couldn't sing. But no one said she was boring. Four albums later, after maturing and enduring motherhood, Phair has completely lost the edgy surprise that set apart her songwriting. Her latest release, "Somebody's Miracle", boasts yet another come-hither, pinup photo of Phair on its cover. But the album is full of lazy, clichid pop tunes with predictable chord changes that seem far longer than their 3-1/2 minutes apiece. Lyrically, Phair has traded titillation for tedious platitudes. From the opening "Leap Of Innocence"'s ''I want you to know that I love you'' to "Stars and Planets"' revelation that ''we all shine, shine, shine'' to "Everything To Me"'s laughable ''Do you really know me at all? Would you take the time to catch me if I fall?'' Phair's eighth-grade lyrics make Kelly Clarkson seem like Patti Smith. Even the tracks that start off with an original jolt, like "Count On My Love", fall into a tired formula: "When you feel your hope is fading, you can count on my love.'' The second song, "Wind and the Mountain", might best sum up her new attitude: "Every day, you gotta run/You got a job, you get it done/But sometimes, I am too tired.'' Then maybe, Liz, it's time to take a break. MICHAEL HAMERSLY ***** From The Lexington Herald-Leader: (http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/entertainment/12829667.htm) Critic's pick Liz Phair "Somebody's Miracle" | **1/2 Phair claims her last album, 2003's "Liz Phair", was just as vital to her as her biting, revolutionary "Exile in Guyville". But the 2003 CD was mostly a light, unchallenging album aimed strictly at pop radio. Her new one, in stores Tuesday, isn't a miracle by a long shot, but the highlights show signs of a once-valuable artist trying to reset her creative compass. Phair is still addressing the basic themes of the last album, but this time she sometimes brings intelligence and insight to the tunes, not just seductive melodies and cute vocals. Phair is at her best here when she is at her most personal, as on the wistful reflection of the title tune and the sober self-inventory of the delicate "Table for One". There just aren't enough of those convincing, heartfelt moments. - -------------------- - -Ken kenmlee@ix.netcom.com MeSmErIzInG - AnOtHeR LiZ PhAiR WeBsItE http://www.geocities.com/Sun setStrip/Club/2471/ ------------------------------ End of support-system-digest V8 #129 ************************************