Liz Phair

I've always loved her and I've just realized how stupid I was to have doubts about her new album. Divorce and middle-age may have mellowed her and the production really is MOR, and yes her vernacular is a lot more "grown-up" now - that's all just part of growing up, isn't it. But what I like about Liz Phair is that she represents this spirit of being true to yourself. Of course she knows what's cool but she always goes for a sound that's true to herself. Thing is she still writes songs that pack wonderful insights and her off-kilter hooks are just so endearing. She's our generation's Joni Mitchell - just she sells so much less records.