From: owner-support-system-digest@smoe.org (support-system-digest) To: support-system-digest@smoe.org Subject: support-system-digest V8 #146 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 Tuesday, October 25 2005 Volume 08 : Number 146 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [support-system] Somebody's Miracle review (Calgary Sun) [Kenneth Lee ] [support-system] liz at the phoenix last night (pics?) ["jeF kearns" Subject: [support-system] Somebody's Miracle review (Calgary Sun) From The Calgary Sun: (http://www.calgarysun.com/cgi-bin/publish.cgi?p=108320&x=articles&s=music) "SOMEBODY'S MIRACLE" - Liz Phair Great place to be Mike Bell Calgary Sun Liz Phair's failed Matrix-facilitated stab at superstardom left her in a tough position. She didn't gain much of a wider audience, and many of the artist's early fans felt betrayed by the move to the mainstream her self-titled release represented. I mean, to go from producing the epitome of an indie rock classic - 1993's "Exile In Guyville" - to working with the same folks who made Avril Lavigne a household name wasnt just sleeping with the enemy, it was making the enemy breakfast while it continued to sleep and then taking the money off the dresser on the way out. What those people failed to notice was how good much of that album was, without Phair having to sacrifice any of her strong personality and, yes, sexuality in the process. Ironically, the Matrix-less "Somebody's Miracle" has the power to bring people back while also boosting her profile. It's a pretty wonderfully catchy, still relatively slick mature pop record with a handful of great songs on it. Yes, there's very little of that edge early fans were drawn to, but her voice - both literally and figuratively - is much smoother, more palatable and in command. It's as if Liz Phair has stopped trying and just is - a great position for anyone to be in. SUN RATING: 3 1/2 out of 5 - -Ken kenmlee@ix.netcom.com MeSmErIzInG - AnOtHeR LiZ PhAiR WeBsItE http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Club/2471/ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Oct 2005 20:58:00 -0700 From: Kenneth Lee Subject: [support-system] Somebody's Miracle review (Chart Attack) From Chart Attack: (http://www.chartattack.com/DAMN/2005/10/0401.cfm) Liz Phair "Somebody's Miracle" (Capitol/EMI) After Liz Phair's much (and somewhat unfairly) reviled 2003 self-titled album, some have been hoping for anything resembling a return to form. While "Somebody's Miracle" isnt "Exile In Guyville", Phair's dropped the sexed-up pop star schtick that offended so many of her fans the last time around. Her fifth album is a logical progression from 1998's "Whitechocolatespaceegg", on which the deadpan vitriol of Phair's early work had already been replaced by melodic lite rock. It's unsurprising that "Somebody's Miracle"'s producers' resume includes work with Sheryl Crow - like Crow, Phair has opted for a sound that's comfortably mainstream without toxic overproduction or syrupy insincerity. Phair seems less afraid to expose her inner self, ditching the lyrical goofiness of the last record (remember "Hot White Cum?") Well-crafted melodies and frank lyrics (albeit slightly boring by the standard that Phair has already set for herself) make "Somebody's Miracle" a strong -- and at last, grown-up -- set of songs. Elizabeth Chorney-Booth - -Ken kenmlee@ix.netcom.com MeSmErIzInG - AnOtHeR LiZ PhAiR WeBsItE http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Club/2471/ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Oct 2005 21:10:48 -0700 From: Kenneth Lee Subject: [support-system] Somebody's Miracle review (Inside Pulse) From Inside Pulse: (http://www.insidepulse.com/articles/43789) Liz Phair - "Somebody's Miracle" review Posted By gloomchen Is there still some indie left inside the pop queen? The Inside Pulse: The last Phair release may be remembered by fans and casual listeners as a bucket of happy pop music, contrary to her prior indie elite status. For her fifth effort, "Somebody's Miracle", Liz makes a compromise of sorts between these two extremes, meshing a more polished sound with the type of introspective lyrics for which she was once universally praised. As she's grown, her tales have grown with her, singing about divorce and new love, motherhood and midlife crisis, rehab and discontent. There are a few jingly empty pop songs as well, but that was to be expected after her last disc. Positives: The bold, stripped-down "Table For One" is a stark look entering middle age without any direction and amid constant turbulence; "Leap of Innocence" offers more introspection in a similar, but more positive, light. It's a very welcome return to form. Also, her revamp of "Can't Get Out Of What I'm Into" from her Girlysound demos (those which made her a legend before ever signing to a record label) is clearly the most fun track, never mind the silent cheers from her old-school fanbase. Negatives: For the typical pop fan, this simply may not be empty, poppy, and super-catchy enough to garner random purchase. For the typical indie fan, well, Phair is long past the indie crowd, although this release is worth a chance. It's a pleasant album as a whole, but not stellar; acts across the board are doing pop better and writing better songs. Cross-breed: Mix "Whitechocolatespaceegg" with her last disc; for those unfamiliar with her previous work, put Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, and Kelly Clarkson in a blender. Reason to buy: Older Phair fans might want to give Liz a second chance with this one. Pop fans looking for something a bit more brainy will find something pleasant within. - -Ken kenmlee@ix.netcom.com MeSmErIzInG - AnOtHeR LiZ PhAiR WeBsItE http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Club/2471/ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 23 Oct 2005 23:32:21 -0700 From: Kenneth Lee Subject: [support-system] Mesmerizing stuff Hey folks, If you haven't been over at Mesmerizing in awhile, here's what you've been missing: - - new pictures and articles - - lots of news items News items include: Podcast #2 is now available. You can download it over at iTunes, or you can get it here: http://boss.streamos.com/download/capi001/lizphair/podcasts/lizphair_podcast_02.mp3 Liz was on VH1's Top 20 Countdown over the weekend. If you missed it, you have one more chance to watch it on Tuesday, October 25th at 9AM ET / 6AM PT. Check your local listings. Liz sang "God Bless America" at Game 1 of the World Series. If you missed that, you can see it here: http://members.cox.net/killmeplz/lizgod.wmv More news and stuff at Mesmerizing, as always. - -Ken kenmlee@ix.netcom.com MeSmErIzInG - AnOtHeR LiZ PhAiR WeBsItE http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Club/2471/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2005 15:14:24 +0000 From: "jeF kearns" Subject: [support-system] liz at the phoenix last night (pics?) Hey. Does anyone have any pics from Liz at the Toronto show last night they could send me. Maybe we could make a trade. Thanks! jef. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2005 17:00 +0100 (BST) From: richard@gadsden.name (Richard Gadsden) Subject: [support-system] I don't think God Bless America is really Liz's song ...but it was cool seeing her singing it in the stretch of the World Series. - -- Richard Gadsden "I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" - Attributed to Voltaire ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2005 01:49:45 -0700 From: Kenneth Lee Subject: [support-system] Somebody's Miracle review (New York) From New York: (http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/arts/music/pop/reviews/14613/) Pop Music Review Jukebox Three critics from different musical perspectives offer competing takes on recent noteworthy albums. Rating System: 1 = Skip it 5 = Try it 10 = Buy it Liz Phair "Somebody's Miracle" The erstwhile lo-fi hipster hero continues to mine the same vein of guitar-hook pop that she introduced on the controversially radio-friendly Liz Phair. Tom the Guitar Hero Can we all agree that Liz Phair is a terrible singer? It was kind of charming when she was still indie, but now that she's trying to cross over and do middle-of-the-road, adult pop, her flat caterwauling is unbearable. And her band sound like they're busy daydreaming about spending their paychecks. Rating: 3 Best Track: "Can't Get Out of What I'm Into" Madison the A&R Chick The first three adjectives that came to mind while listening to Phair's latest attempt to capture the teen market are hooky, catchy, and completely predictable. There are nice melodies and the songs are very tightly structured, but the album doesn't have any character. Other than Phair's distinctive vocals, this could be any teen-pop songstress's album. Anyone who liked Phair's last release will enjoy this. It's nearly the same album. Rating: 4 Best Track: "Somebody's Miracle" Sarah the Schoolteacher I don't love the album, I don't hate it. But to 8-year-old girls, these songs are the best thing in the world. They find a girl-power message in lyrics they can't literally understand. I ask one of them what message she was getting from the singer, and she replies, "That a girl can have rock and roll. A girl can have power of music." Rating: 5 Best Track: "Can't Get Out of What I'm Into" - -Ken kenmlee@ix.netcom.com MeSmErIzInG - AnOtHeR LiZ PhAiR WeBsItE http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Club/2471/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2005 15:26:46 -0700 From: Kenneth Lee Subject: [support-system] Somebody's Miracles review (Oklahoman) From The Oklahoman: (http://www.newsok.com/xml/rss/1642487/) Rock: "Somebody's Miracle" Liz Phair (Capitol) Liz Phair's fifth full-length disc backs away from the ultraslick pop of her self-titled 2003 blowout, sounding more like the logical follow-up to 1998's earthy and adult "Whitechocolatespaceegg" than her nod to Kelly Clarkson-style mall punk. The superbly bouncy "Stars and Planets" might address what happened when Phair deserted college rock and tapped into the pop machine: "Blinded by the flash, you're in a fashion entertainment-affiliated/ listener-rated Pamplona race to see who makes it to the Grammys," she sings on "Stars". "Well, you better start running / the bulls are coming." Without the pop calculations of The Matrix to dull her lyrical sense, Phair is back on her game. The acoustic waltz "Table for One" and "Wind and the Mountain" represent honest and direct storytelling and highlight Phair's philosophical leanings. And she channels her past Rolling Stones fixation on "Why I Lie", in which she declares her "predatory instinct and simple ill will." Producer John Alagia delivers a fair approximation of Phair's old sound but doesn't take it down to the raw, "Exile in Guyville" bedrock; the bulk of the disc sounds natural and unforced. It might not be an outright mea culpa for her pop trangression, but "Somebody's Miracle" feels like a blessing after Phair's fall from grace. - -- George Lang - -Ken kenmlee@ix.netcom.com MeSmErIzInG - AnOtHeR LiZ PhAiR WeBsItE http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Club/2471/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2005 19:37:19 -0400 From: "M.C. Hackney" Subject: RE: [support-system] Somebody's Miracle review (New York) Love the pick for "best track." ________________________________ From: owner-support-system@smoe.org on behalf of Kenneth Lee Sent: Mon 10/24/05 4:49 AM To: support-system@smoe.org Subject: [support-system] Somebody's Miracle review (New York) From New York: (http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/arts/music/pop/reviews/14613/) Pop Music Review Jukebox Three critics from different musical perspectives offer competing takes on recent noteworthy albums. Rating System: 1 = Skip it 5 = Try it 10 = Buy it Liz Phair "Somebody's Miracle" The erstwhile lo-fi hipster hero continues to mine the same vein of guitar-hook pop that she introduced on the controversially radio-friendly Liz Phair. Tom the Guitar Hero Can we all agree that Liz Phair is a terrible singer? It was kind of charming when she was still indie, but now that she's trying to cross over and do middle-of-the-road, adult pop, her flat caterwauling is unbearable. And her band sound like they're busy daydreaming about spending their paychecks. Rating: 3 Best Track: "Can't Get Out of What I'm Into" Madison the A&R Chick The first three adjectives that came to mind while listening to Phair's latest attempt to capture the teen market are hooky, catchy, and completely predictable. There are nice melodies and the songs are very tightly structured, but the album doesn't have any character. Other than Phair's distinctive vocals, this could be any teen-pop songstress's album. Anyone who liked Phair's last release will enjoy this. It's nearly the same album. Rating: 4 Best Track: "Somebody's Miracle" Sarah the Schoolteacher I don't love the album, I don't hate it. But to 8-year-old girls, these songs are the best thing in the world. They find a girl-power message in lyrics they can't literally understand. I ask one of them what message she was getting from the singer, and she replies, "That a girl can have rock and roll. A girl can have power of music." Rating: 5 Best Track: "Can't Get Out of What I'm Into" - -Ken kenmlee@ix.netcom.com MeSmErIzInG - AnOtHeR LiZ PhAiR WeBsItE http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Club/2471/ ------------------------------ End of support-system-digest V8 #146 ************************************