Liz Phair

The Profile

American singer-songwriter who emerged from Chicago’s indie scene in the early 1990s. Broke through with Exile in Guyville (1993), followed by Whip-Smart and whitechocolatespaceegg. Later embraced a pop-oriented sound on the 2003 self-titled album before continuing with further releases.

Born 1967 in New Haven, Connecticut; raised in the Chicago suburbs of Illinois. Early Girly-Sound demos led to Exile in Guyville. Active since the early 1990s and known for candid, ironic songwriting.

Reviews celebrate Exile in Guyville as essential and hail Whip-Smart and whitechocolatespaceegg as strong follow-ups. The 2003 self-titled is panned for glossy pop moves. Somebody’s Miracle is called bland and aimless. Overall: early brilliance, later turbulence.