Review:

on 2011-06-23 Bertman Said:

This 2 set is CD is classic Liz Phair. The first disc, Funstyle, is electric. It shimmers and sways with sweet production, changing stylistically from campy bollywood rave-ups to rock.



The first time I heard it I didn't really get it. I was working and as a result only half listening, so much of the humor was lost on me.



Smoke sounds as though the exile era stones are Phair's backing band. U Hate It is a distinct nod to Tori Amos, if Tori ever showed a wicked sense of humor.



The second disc, the acoustic Girlysound, is the dangerous disc. Full of hissing microphones and piss poor acoustics, this sounds as though it was recorded on a four track recorder in her familys living room; after school, but before her parents got home from work.

In White Babies she sings about a Black Market White Baby Dealer, clearly someone on a mission. And later the child's told how they resemble different family members.



Phair says what's on her mind without mincing words. But she doesn't reveal all she's thinking as so many confessional songwriters are want to do.



On My My she laments, I could have been a good girl/But I'm not. We should all be thankful on this point as she is infinitely more interesting as a result.




Rating: 6/10

on 2010-07-13 hstisgod Said:

Damn Jake, tell us how you really feel, haha. Not a huge Phair fan, but yeah, ripping on artist creations because of their track record has never been ME's way. Great analysis of this record, I'm gonna look into it.
Not Rated

Review:

on 2010-07-13 jakekingston Said:

I'm really f***ing tired of PitchFork! Ultimately, I end up gravitating to it to see precisely just how much they've decimated some of my new favourite records, or conversely, how they have over-estimated some of the most bland sounding music out there. It's gotten to a point now where I can determine, even before checking their site, which albums they'll sing the praises of, and which ones they will tear a strip out of. I'm really sick of it. Yesterday night, I noticed that Sun Kil Moon's new album was released, and wanted to see how high a score they gave it (a 7.6, if you're interested). In doing so, I noticed that Ms. Liz Phair has just self-released a new album entitled Funstyle. Before I even clicked on the review to read just how they are trying to make Ms. Phair cry this time, I concluded that they would hate the new record, giving it no more than a 3.0 rating. I was right, 2.6.

You know what else I'm tired of? People haterating on Liz Phair. It's very clich?. And all because she had the audacity to make the transition from alternative rock princess to pop/rock queen. Liz did not understand her place and so people metaphorically castrated her for it. People (Pitchfork included) now love the new stylings of Ke$ha and La Roux and every other pop artist out there, music that is not dissimilar from Liz Phair's 2003 self-titled 4th record, but god-forbid if any previously cool alternative artist ever dare to transition from one genre to another&off with her head! That 2003 record is a very good record. From beginning to end Liz made a quite successful transition from the confines of alterna-Indie-hell to unpretentious pop music. Her follow-up not so much, but hey, no one has to be brilliant all the time.

Now comes "Funstyle", the album Liz states lost her her management and record deal. An album that sounds like the most authentic sentiments to come from Ms. Phair since her debut. Only this time, Liz is not a young twenty-something singing about how guys have f***ed her over. Instead, Liz has faced some of the most harshest criticisms ever put to a previously adored artist, so now she sings about critics who have f***ed her over, critics who cannot get over the fact that Liz is not interested in remaining musically static for her whole career (even if it would have guaranteed her better album sales), but would rather play with genres, try to strive for that elusive pop song hit, and (shockingly) try to make money from music. This last desire is probably what has secured her undoing--how DARE she say she wants to make money from music??!! Who the hell does she think she is!!?? Capitalizing off of her art, when the love of creating music should be its own reward! Surely she knows that she can pay her bills and feed her kids with good intentions?

"Funstyle" is littered with spoken word pieces, tempered with one rap song, and a handful of Liz-ish pop tunes. Her intentions are humorous, and clearly not meant to be taken too seriously. The production is definitely a detour from her over stylized "Somebody's Miracle", but the authenticity is there. You can tell within the first listen that Liz is also sick and tired of people hating her. Referring to her music as just awful, but still always listening to it, and most likely not admitting it. The infectious Satisfied is one of the best songs on the record, and the music on all of the spoken word pieces is brilliant. This is the Liz Phair album I've been wanting to hear: the big F*** YOU to everyone who cannot stop writing vile about her and trying desperately to get her to know just how much they hate her music. Well Liz, if you're listening, I've always been a fan, and always loved your albums (except maybe "Somebody's Miracle", but I think I'm entitled to not like a record or two), and always admitted it. Leave the girl alone, or better yet, just listen to someone else if you're convinced she'll never be your blow-job queen like she originally professed.
Rating: 8/10