I don't believe so.

I'll tape Ellen in just over one hour.

You can go here to see the Leno and Carson shows. He'll probably add Ellen soon.

http://www.lizphairexperience.com/media.php

Thanks for the link. DLing the Carson performance now.

Did it work for you?

Yeah it did. I have crappy video, though, so it is really dark, going to try another computer later today.

That critic from Pitchfork is a tool. No way is this a two star album. Longtime fans should not be upset by this release. So many tracks sound like they could have been lifted from Liz's first two albums. I'm very pleased with the entire thing.

I agree. While I was listening I heard a few songs that immediatley made me think of her early work. There are a couple of clunkers on there, but as a whole I really like it. But hey, I like all of her releases, so what do I know...

I've been a fan of Liz's since the beginning. Gave the new one a listen over the weekend, and nothing really jumped out at me, aside from maybe the calculated retro "indie Liz" brand sound. I'm hard-pressed this morning to even remember one hook, actually, and daresay I found the last record instantly more memorable than this one?

I'll give the new one another listen today, maybe, hopeful that I just "misheard" it the first time.

How many times did you give it a listen?

I sat down and started listening to it earlier. Got maybe ten or so songs in, and then was interrupted by a phone call, and then had other stuff to do, so I haven't gone back to finish it out yet. But when I had it on, I really tried to listen to it. I shut everything else out, cranked it up, read along with the lyrics in the booklet, all that stuff. I really focused on it, and that's something I don't do very often when listening to new music.

And I gotta say, what I heard, still didn't do anything for me. I think it's still just as slickly-produced as the last record, minus all of the vocal tweaking and whatnot. But what really dawned upon me is that the songs I heard--they were just dull to me. Nothing really interesting going on. I think Pitchfork may have had it right--at least the last album gave people something to talk about, as bad as it may have seemed. This one is just really boring to me.

Another thing I noticed is that her lyrics are nowhere near as personal as they were in the early days, at least in my opinion. And sure, she's changed as an artist, and I've changed as a listener in these twelve years, but that stuff from Guyville (and somewhat with Whip-Smart) really resonated with me back then. And the new lyrics, just like the new music, doesn't really connect with me at all. It all just seems really formulaic and bland. I didn't hate it or anything. There were a few songs I kind of liked, actually. But even with those songs, nothing really grabbed me like some of her old songs have.

It's been a popular thing to say over the years, but I really do think that each new album of hers has been progressively worse than the last. I still like her and everything (might even make a road trip to see her in Tulsa in a few weeks), but I think this may be the last Liz album I ever buy.

But I still need to go back and really listen to the last half of the record. Maybe (hopefully) there's some gems there that will redeem the rest of it to me.

Thanks for that quality answer.


I've heard it two or three times but it's been while driving, reading email, etc. so I haven't concentrated on the lyrics.

The first listen had me bored but the last few are sounding much better.

New fan here, and must admit I got hooked with her self-titled album just this year.

Favorite tracks off her new album:
"Leap of Innocence", "Wind and the Mountain", "Somebody's Miracle", "Got My Own Thing", "Can't Get Out of What I'm into"

Pretty much hit and miss -- she can get away with some of the cheezy lyrics, as with the title track. OTOH, the 1st song released off the new album is just plain HORRIBLE to use to promote this album!

Just started on "Exile in Guyville", and I'm definitely blown away - million miles better than what she's done recently. Will probably be purchasing "whitechocolatespacegg" next - that "Polyester Bride" song is catchy as hell!