Liz Phair Still Pushing The Limits

Liz Phair might have left Chicago for Los Angeles. Yes, she was married. And, OK, she had a baby. But don't think life has mellowed out the indie rocker.

After a five-year hiatus, Phair will release her fourth album, Liz Phair (Capitol), on June 24. The record features 14 tracks culled from extensive recording sessions with collaborators ranging from Michael Penn to R. Walt Vincent (who's worked with Pete Yorn) to the Matrix (the hit-making producers behind Avril Lavigne). Musicians playing on the album include Smashing Pumpkins/Zwan drummer Matt Chamberlin and Prince and the Revolution/Wendy and Lisa bassist Wendy Melvoin. Early live performances and song previews (through her official Liz Phair site) suggest a move toward a more mainstream, pop-friendly sound; her lyrics remain as honest as ever.

Renowned for her candid compositions, Phair has no qualms writing about personal experiences. On her revelatory 1993 debut, Exile in Guyville, Phair included songs that dealt frankly with sex from a woman's perspective, such as "Flower" and "Fuck and Run." Liz Phair is said to include equally strong material, including the Pete Yorn collaboration "H.W.C." (which includes the line, "Give me your hot, white come").

First single "Why Can't I" starts quietly enough, but explodes into a giant chorus, as does "Extraordinary." The two songs chronicle crushes or unattainable love.

Phair is scheduled to play acoustic shows with the Flaming Lips — primarily on the West Coast — before her album's release. She is also booked to play at New York's Field Day Festival on June 7, along with Beck, Radiohead, Tortoise and many others. Phair is expected to tour with a full band during July and August.

The track listing for Liz Phair: "Extraordinary," "Red Light Fever," "Why Can't I," "It's Sweet," "Rock Me," "Take a Look," "Little Digger," "Fire Walker," "Favorite," "Love/Hate Transmission," "H.W.C.," "My Bionic Eyes," "Friend of Mine" and "Good Love Never Dies." — Brian Orloff [Thursday, May 8, 2003]