Whip-Smart

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
After Exile in Guyville turned Liz Phair into an indie-rock pinup queen, rock critics and lo-fi aficionados everywhere awaited her follow-up with bated breath. Instead of making Guyville II, Phair sidestepped expectations by delivering Whip-smart, an album that replaced the shoestring intimacy of her debut with more traditional song arrangements and (gasp!) professional-sounding production. Though it lacks anything as memorable (and quotable) as Guyville's "Fuck and Run," the record has some notable high points, including the acerbic "Chopsticks," the lovely ballad "Nashville," and the perfect pop single "Supernova." In short, Whip-smart isn't the tremendous artistic statement Guyville was, but it's far more accessible--and quite enjoyable on its own terms. --Dan Epstein --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Whip-Smart
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • stands the test of time
  • "And nobody sparkles like you..."
  • Rockin' -- I dig it :)
  • A More than Competent Follow-Up to an Indie Classic
  • Liz is fair
 Whip-Smart
Liz Phair
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Lo-FiLo-Fi | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Indie RockIndie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Singer-SongwritersSinger-Songwriters | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Singer-SongwritersSinger-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music
Pop RockPop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Adult AlternativeAdult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Exile in Guyville
  2. whitechocolatespaceegg
  3. Liz Phair
  4. Somebody's Miracle
  5. American Thighs

ASIN: B000002SW1
Release Date: 1996-10-01

Tracks:

  1. Chopsticks
  2. Supernova
  3. Support System
  4. X-Ray Man
  5. Shane
  6. Nashville
  7. Go West
  8. Cinco De Mayo
  9. Dogs Of L.A.
  10. Whip-Smart
  11. Jealousy
  12. Crater Lake
  13. Alice Springs
  14. May Queen

Amazon.com

After Exile in Guyville turned Liz Phair into an indie-rock pinup queen, rock critics and lo-fi aficionados everywhere awaited her follow-up with bated breath. Instead of making Guyville II, Phair sidestepped expectations by delivering Whip-smart, an album that replaced the shoestring intimacy of her debut with more traditional song arrangements and (gasp!) professional-sounding production. Though it lacks anything as memorable (and quotable) as Guyville's "Fuck and Run," the record has some notable high points, including the acerbic "Chopsticks," the lovely ballad "Nashville," and the perfect pop single "Supernova." In short, Whip-smart isn't the tremendous artistic statement Guyville was, but it's far more accessible--and quite enjoyable on its own terms. --Dan Epstein

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars stands the test of time.......2007-06-19

The song "Nashville" off this album still gives me goosebumps each time I hear it. Her voice overall sounds very cool on this album. "Whip Smart" is also a really fun track. I got this in late 1995 as a promo when I worked for a college paper and I still have it in my collection! It's probably the only CD that has survived that long, and I just downloaded it to my itunes -- no scratches, all these years later! thanks Liz! (cool album jacket too).

5 out of 5 stars "And nobody sparkles like you...".......2006-03-26

I bought this album about three years ago and to this day whip-smart is still my favorite album. Liz Phair is a genius. Her song-writing is incredible, her voice a relentless pitbull, and her image, a true reniassance. All the songs I love, especially Nashville, Go West, and the album closer, May Queen.
A lot of people think she sold out with her later albums but hey a girl's gotta get paid. Exile in Guyville is considered her masterpiece, and i think it's a great album but for me, whip-smart is her masterpiece. Totally under-rated, this album has smart lyrics and great guitar playing. You can decide for yourself but Whip-smart is one cd that will never be used as a coaster.

5 out of 5 stars Rockin' -- I dig it :).......2006-02-12


I find Liz's music to be good fun and entertaining. Since there are plenty of persons out there happy to be wordy about it, I'll keep this brief. Love it!

4 out of 5 stars A More than Competent Follow-Up to an Indie Classic.......2005-09-27

Disciples of "Exile in Guyville" will agree with the four star rating, newcomers might say it's more of a 3.5 kinda party, but that's still not bad. In an interview, LP once cited a Pavement album as one of her faves. This is no wonder to me, since her first two albums mirrored the characteristics of her Matador contemporaries' first two albums as well. Both respective firsts were raw, instant classics with undeniable charm and unlimited potential. Both follow-ups realized that potential.
"Whip-Smart" shows that Liz's song writing abilities run deeper than which some may have given her credit. This album has it all: Austere melodies that dance on the fringe between polyphonic bliss and drab monotones (chopsticks most notably)but still stir up your insides. Pop-hooks that'll reel you in like a prized marlin (Supernova, Whip-Smart) and still manage to distinguish themselves from the garden variety which live on FM radio. And...all the smut you can handle. A LP tradition that's continued in rich fashion. You've gotta love her honesty if nothing else. This woman makes talking dirty sound smart.
Spanning a broad spectrum of musical landscapes, slick production (not too slick though), and anthemic vocal melodies, Whip-Smart leaves you wanting more, and wondering why Liz Phair never married Steve Malkmus (former Pavement frontman)

3 out of 5 stars Liz is fair.......2005-09-04

An uneven album that features some very good songs among others that are rather mediocre. Standouts include "May Queen" and the hit single "Supernova."
Whip-Smart
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Whip-Smart
    Liz Phair
    Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    Lo-FiLo-Fi | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    Indie RockIndie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    Singer-SongwritersSinger-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music
    Adult AlternativeAdult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. whitechocolatespaceegg
    2. Exile in Guyville
    3. Somebody's Miracle

    ASIN: B00004SOK1
    Release Date: 1994-09-20

    Tracks:

    1. Chopsticks
    2. Supernova
    3. Support System
    4. X-Ray Man
    5. Shane
    6. Nashville
    7. Go West
    8. Cinco De Mayo
    9. Dogs Of L.A.
    10. Whip-Smart
    11. Jealousy
    12. Crater Lake
    13. Alice Springs
    14. May Queen

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    1. Winter Moon
    2. 100% Fun
    3. Aglio e Olio [CD-single] [EP]
    4. All the Ladies [Import]
    5. Another Day, Another Dollar [Explicit Lyrics]
    6. Another Green World
    7. Antidote [Import]
    8. Best Of Marc Bolan & T. Rex: 1972-1977 [Import]
    9. Best of T. Rex
    10. Big Express [Import]

    Music

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    Mind,Body & Soul [Import]

    Quiet Moments

    Prelude: Works by Kreutzer, Campo, Kovach and Maddonni

    The Father of Bluegrass

    Crown Jewels [Enhanced] [Import]

    Season of Souls

    Songs That Got Away

    Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 1; Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3

    Size Isn't Everything [Import]

    Roger Sessions: Symphonies 6, 7 & 9

    Reunion

    Sleeper: Soundtrack to a Dream [Soundtrack]

    Por Onde Andara Stephen Fry? [Import]

    Time to Watch

    The Best of Richard Elliot