Liz Phair: Cop out or pure genius?

On June 24th, Liz Phair’s seminal 90’s album Exile in Guyville will be re-released with four previously unreleased tracks and an accompanying DVD. (She signed with ATO.)

There is some griping about her re-hashing old material, but I would personally much rather see her re-interpret an absolute classic than make another record like her 2003 self-titled. It came ten years after Exile in Guyville, and although it had some beautiful moments (Little Digger), I was underwhelmed. I did go see her at 9:30 when she toured for it, but she was supporting Jason Mraz. I was flummoxed by the fact that Liz Phair was opening for ANYONE. (Because she’s so amazing, not because I didn’t care for that particular album.)

So I’m excited to see her on a headlining tour, and MAJOR excited at the thought of seeing her play many of the songs that first made me bow down at her feet, like “Flower”.

If Harper Lee wanted to come out and only read from “To Kill a Mockingbird” forever and ever, I would be OK with that. If that was her one impeccable work, then all right. Although I enjoy many of Liz’s later albums, I kind of feel the same way about Exile in Guyville. But I’m sure that others who became fans with Whip Smart or WhiteChocolateSpaceEgg may feel that way about those albums.

How bout you guys? Cop out to ride off the past, or just a good idea?