(no subject)

[jfb]

Every time I hear the new Liz Phair song I try to figure out which of the current overproduced major-label teen pop stars it is--not the Britney-era singing heads, obviously, but one of the ones who write or at least co-write the songs they sing and are positioned for the market as a more authentic reaction against the Mickey Mouse Club alumni. Eventually I decide it must be Michelle Branch because I'd recognize Vanessa Carlton's voice or, although it would take me longer to be certain, Avril Lavigne's, but I really have no idea what Michelle Branch sounds like when she's not backed by Santana. Then later a DJ tells me I'm wrong.

Comments

[greyaenigma.livejournal.com]

Liz Phair has a new song??

I need someone to keep me informed of important developments like this.

[(Anonymous)]

You have wise ears. The production team for Phair's new album is the same one that's worked with Avril, Jason Mraz, and -- ulp! -- Ricky Martin:

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1470503/20030313/story.jhtml

And Phair is taking heat for it:

http://www.sfweekly.com/issues/2003-05-28/reviewed.html/1/index.html

[jfb.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my wise ears had actually heard that but my brain keeps forgetting. The review there does that thing I don't much like where the reviewer tries to psychoanalyze the musician. It also interestingly fails to note that the songs are co-written.

I wish the Matrix had called themselves Lauren Graham & Spock.

[michaelpop.livejournal.com]

i haven't had the good fortune of hearing any of liz's new material, yet, but trusted sources tell me it's pretty awful.

in fact, cmj just ran a feature on her, and there's a picture of her looking and posing like a middle aged avril. scary, no?

[jfb.livejournal.com]

That picture's just weird. But I liked reading an article that asked what she thought the deal was with her new record. And I liked the part about Michael Penn.

I don't know, I don't really like the single (not because it's Avrilesque, but because it's sub-Avril Avrilesque), but hey, it's her record. If she likes it, more power to her.

But then I'm not burdened by expectations, not having been a fan of the old Liz Phair.

Re:

[michaelpop.livejournal.com]

speaking of image reinventions: have you heard/seen the *new* jewel. she's all ghetto fabulous now. and while not quite on par with j. lo., she definitely doesn't look like a folk singer anymore. or sound like one, either.

these are scary times we're living in.

[also: liz phair loses 5000 credibility points for naming a song WHC (white hot cum). i mean, c'mon!]

[jfb.livejournal.com]

I had no idea there was a new Jewel, but I went and looked around. Haven't heard the new album, but in principle I'm all for it. I was just bored by her first hit single, and thought her Nashville reinvention on the last album was the best thing she could've done.

Regarding Liz, I take your point and will remember not to write any songs named WHC.