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| Liz Phair - Exile In Guyville (1993) |
"Tell him to jump higher. Tell him to jump farther. Make him measure up, decades longer than you."
Warning: hipster moment coming right at you. Long before Liz Phair was asking Top 40 listeners why she couldn't breathe without a certain someone, she recorded a punchy album full of angsty indie rockers. Yes, before she went mainstream and "sold out," she actually made some really good music. I almost hate myself for buying into the reverse hype so to speak, but this thing is just too damn good.
1993's Exile In Guyville still sounds unique and fresh to this day. The subject matter doesn't exactly lend itself to in-car spins with my daughter, but it sure makes for a great drunken late night headphones listen.
The standout track from this relatively large collection is the bittersweetly beautiful "Explain It To Me." I find the title somewhat ironic; because upon sharing my favorite song from this indie classic with others, I'm often asked to explain. Others seem to prefer the dirtier, more grungy tracks. And perhaps it's the position "Explain" holds within the track listing and the pretty contrast that it provides that warms my heart so.
As it is, I really can't explain why this tune is one of my favorites of all time. It's one of those unmistakable moments in music that simultaneously brings joy and sadness, and it does so with such profound authenticity. Overly simple and slightly mundane? Maybe. I'll play it forever though.
Check out the rest:
100. Pixies - "Where Is My Mind?"
99. Bloc Party - "This Modern Love"
98. Paul McCartney - "Too Many People"
