LIZ PHAIR at IFC Crossover House at SXSW. Rating: NNN
The supposed decline of Liz Phair as a songwriter has been well documented and unnecessarily harsh.
Granted her albums after 1998’s Whitechocolatespaceegg can fairly be accused of being mainstream adult contemporary, which is maybe why the Chicago songstress has recently revived early work, such as her landmark Exile in Guyville album from 1993.
If there’s been dip in Phair’s output you wouldn’t know it by the outpouring of love shown her at the intimate IFC studio showcase. Fans packed in tight at the small soundstage, as Phair revved through some early songs like 6’1, the self-examining first track off Guyville.
Phair followed with Supernova, an equally prurient tune from her lovable 1994 sophomore Whip Smart. Between songs, Phair showed she hadn’t lost her sense of humour when it comes to being continually lovelorn, a running theme in many of her early offerings.
“I have a guitar pedal nicknamed the dickless wonder,” laughed Phair, wearing heels and a miniskirt. “Actually, I’m the dickless wonder.”
