Liz Phair – Somebody's Miracle review


Link: Liz Phair

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.