Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Following the halfhearted reception to Whip-Smart -- good enough to retain her critical stature, not good enough to enhance it -- Liz Phair slowly retreated from view, marrying and having a child. Toward the end of 1996, she began to work on her third album, but it took her nearly a year and a half to compete it, due to a variety of reasons. When whitechocolatespaceegg (a reference to her baby boy's shiny bald head) finally appeared in late summer 1998, it had been a full five years since Exile in Guyville, and nowhere was that more apparent than in Phair's third album itself. Certain familiar elements remained -- her plain vocals, strummed guitars, and character songs -- but this was a brighter, cleaner, more content Phair. There was none of the emotional turmoil that underpinned Exile and, to a lesser extent, Whip-Smart. Even if the songs concerned violent emotions, there is a studied distance between her and the songs here, whether it's the character study "Uncle Alvarez" or "Johnny Feelgood," where the female narrator is beaten up and likes it. In other words, whitechocolatespaceegg is the work of a craftsman, not an inspired work of brilliance like Exile. And while that may alienate some hardcore fans, that's not necessarily a bad thing, especially since the best moments -- "Big Tall Man," "Baby Got Going," "Go On Ahead," "What Makes You Happy," "Johnny Feelgood," and the Girlysound leftover "Shitloads of Money" -- are tuneful and literate. Still, there's a distance, not only in the lyrics but in the overly polished music, that makes whitechocolatespaceegg difficult to embrace unconditionally, even if it may be a stronger record than Whip-Smart.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From €13,50/month
Liz Phair, Composer, Producer, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Stoley, Composer - TOM LORD-ALGE, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ed Tinley, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Chasko, Composer, Producer, Drums, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Randy Wilson, Keyboards, Programmer, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Capitol Records, Inc.. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by Capitol Records, Inc., 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. ℗ 1998 Capitol Records
Liz Phair, Composer, Producer, Guitar, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - TOM LORD-ALGE, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Chasko, Composer, Producer, Drums, Guitar, Piano, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Blaise Barton, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1998 Capitol Records, Inc.. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by Capitol Records, Inc., 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. ℗ 1998 Capitol Records
Liz Phair, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - SCOTT LITT, Producer, Keyboards, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Victor Janacua, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Nathan December, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Capitol Records, Inc.. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by Capitol Records, Inc., 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. ℗ 1998 Capitol Records
Brad Wood, Producer, Drums, Engineer, Guitar, Organ, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, Bass (Vocal) - Liz Phair, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - TOM LORD-ALGE, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ed Tinley, Engineer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - John Hiler, Engineer, Keyboards, Programmer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Chasko, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Capitol Records, Inc.. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by Capitol Records, Inc., 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. ℗ 1998 Capitol Records
Brad Wood, Producer, Drums, Engineer, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, Bass (Vocal) - Liz Phair, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - TOM LORD-ALGE, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ed Tinley, Engineer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - John Hiler, Engineer, Organ, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Chasko, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Capitol Records, Inc.. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by Capitol Records, Inc., 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. ℗ 1998 Capitol Records
Liz Phair, Composer, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - TOM LORD-ALGE, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ed Tinley, Engineer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Scott Bennett, Drums, Organ, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal)
(C) 1998 Capitol Records, Inc.. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by Capitol Records, Inc., 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. ℗ 1998 Capitol Records
Liz Phair, Composer, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - SCOTT LITT, Composer, Producer, Drums, Guitar, Harmonica, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - TOM LORD-ALGE, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Nathan December, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Capitol Records, Inc.. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by Capitol Records, Inc., 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. ℗ 1998 Capitol Records
Brad Wood, Producer, Drums, Engineer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Liz Phair, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - TOM LORD-ALGE, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Leroy Bach, Upright Bass, AssociatedPerformer - Ed Tinley, Engineer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - John Hiler, Engineer, Keyboards, Piano, Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1998 Capitol Records, Inc.. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by Capitol Records, Inc., 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. ℗ 1998 Capitol Records
Liz Phair, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - SCOTT LITT, Producer - TOM LORD-ALGE, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Sabold, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Chasko, Drums, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Tommy Furar, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal)
(C) 1998 Capitol Records, Inc.. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by Capitol Records, Inc., 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. ℗ 1998 Capitol Records
Brad Wood, Producer, Mixer, Engineer, Organ, Drum Programming, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Liz Phair, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Ed Tinley, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1998 Capitol Records, Inc.. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by Capitol Records, Inc., 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. ℗ 1998 Capitol Records
Liz Phair, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - SCOTT LITT, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, AssociatedPerformer - TOM LORD-ALGE, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Chasko, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Nathan December, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Capitol Records, Inc.. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by Capitol Records, Inc., 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. ℗ 1998 Capitol Records
Liz Phair, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - SCOTT LITT, Producer, Keyboards, Programmer, AssociatedPerformer - TOM LORD-ALGE, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Chasko, Drums, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal)
(C) 1998 Capitol Records, Inc.. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by Capitol Records, Inc., 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. ℗ 1998 Capitol Records
Brad Wood, Producer, Drums, Engineer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel, Bass (Vocal) - Liz Phair, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - TOM LORD-ALGE, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ed Tinley, Engineer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - John Hiler, Engineer, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Jason Chasko, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Capitol Records, Inc.. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by Capitol Records, Inc., 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. ℗ 1998 Capitol Records
Bill Berry, Bongos, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Mills, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Liz Phair, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - PETER BUCK, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - SCOTT LITT, Producer - TOM LORD-ALGE, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - DAVE SCHIFFMAN, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - SCOTT MCCAUGHEY, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Nathan December, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Capitol Records, Inc.. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by Capitol Records, Inc., 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. ℗ 1998 Capitol Records
Liz Phair, Composer, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - TOM LORD-ALGE, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ed Tinley, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Scott Bennett, Drums, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, Bass (Vocal) - Troy Niedhart, Accordion, AssociatedPerformer
(C) 1998 Capitol Records, Inc.. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by Capitol Records, Inc., 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. ℗ 1998 Capitol Records
Liz Phair, Composer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - SCOTT LITT, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel
(C) 1998 Capitol Records, Inc.. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction is a violation of applicable laws. Manufactured by Capitol Records, Inc., 1750 North Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. ℗ 1998 Capitol Records
Album review
Following the halfhearted reception to Whip-Smart -- good enough to retain her critical stature, not good enough to enhance it -- Liz Phair slowly retreated from view, marrying and having a child. Toward the end of 1996, she began to work on her third album, but it took her nearly a year and a half to compete it, due to a variety of reasons. When whitechocolatespaceegg (a reference to her baby boy's shiny bald head) finally appeared in late summer 1998, it had been a full five years since Exile in Guyville, and nowhere was that more apparent than in Phair's third album itself. Certain familiar elements remained -- her plain vocals, strummed guitars, and character songs -- but this was a brighter, cleaner, more content Phair. There was none of the emotional turmoil that underpinned Exile and, to a lesser extent, Whip-Smart. Even if the songs concerned violent emotions, there is a studied distance between her and the songs here, whether it's the character study "Uncle Alvarez" or "Johnny Feelgood," where the female narrator is beaten up and likes it. In other words, whitechocolatespaceegg is the work of a craftsman, not an inspired work of brilliance like Exile. And while that may alienate some hardcore fans, that's not necessarily a bad thing, especially since the best moments -- "Big Tall Man," "Baby Got Going," "Go On Ahead," "What Makes You Happy," "Johnny Feelgood," and the Girlysound leftover "Shitloads of Money" -- are tuneful and literate. Still, there's a distance, not only in the lyrics but in the overly polished music, that makes whitechocolatespaceegg difficult to embrace unconditionally, even if it may be a stronger record than Whip-Smart.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 16 track(s)
- Total length: 00:51:09
- Main artists: Liz Phair
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Capitol Records
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 1998 Capitol Records Inc. ℗ 1998 Capitol Records Inc.
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.