FLAT AND A LITTLE OFF-KEY



So, I wonder --- what does it say about me that I dislike the early "Riot Girrrrl" rock of the early Liz Phair, but have totally enjoyed the pop-friendly last two CD's she's released. The critics and most people I know disagree with me and consider her last two CD's to be total sell-outs, but I like them. I especially enjoy the slutty commerically-geared release from a couple of summer's ago. I mean, how can one resist a song about male love juice as a beauty aid? And, I do like the new one --- I am particularly fond of the track about all of her old friends in rehab. Been there. Done that. I relate. But, Ms. Phair can't really sing. However, that does make it easy for me to sing along. I mean, is it me or doesn't anyone else find her voice to be flat and always right on key?!?!?

That tounge-in-cheek commercial pop CD made her sound best. The uncomfortable mix of the producers and composers who put folks like Britney, Pink and Ricky on the map blended with Phair's somewhat ironic lyrics just somehow works.
And all that pro-tooling really helped her vocals. The new CD is not all that tweaked, but much more on the soft rock side of the tracks than her earlier works. Sort of like an artiste who yearns to sound like Sheryl Crow, but does not quite have the vocal talent and is far too edgy to quite cross into the mainstream of MOR rock.

I would love to hear would it would sound like if Liz Phair did a cover of Endless Love with Cake --- or they could "re-tool" that old 70's chestunt made popular by Peaches & Herb. I can't remember the name of that song, but Cake and Liz Phair doing it would seem like a cool idea. That would be as "the kids" say, "hella-cool" ...I remember "South Park" having Cartman say this years ago, but I am hearing a lot of kids around here say it quite a bit. Slang. Gotta love it.

Oh! And a new Robbie Williams CD coming our way next month! Yay! As well as the long promised DVD box set of all 6 of the Streisand TV specials from Rhino Video! Double Yay! Now, if only I had the money to buy them! ...especially as the Robbie CD is only coming out in the UK. Oh, and Series 2 of Britiain's "Peep Show" is out next month as well!!! AND --- looks like Kate Bush is finally going to surrender her new CD in late November/early December -- a 2 CD set no less! I am all aglow with excitement!

Oh, and even tho I am totally queer --- is it strange that I have a crush on Asia Argento and Jennifer Jason-Leigh?!?! They are both just so damn hot! ...and hella talented!