Although Liz Phair's new album, "whitechocolatespaceegg" (Matador/Capitol), is languishing at No. 156 on the Billboard chart, and her tentative "Tonight Show" appearance last week caused one Capital Records insider to crack, "It sure didn't win her any new fans," the singer proved Thursday night why she's a critics' darling and one of the most celebrated alt-rock performers of the '90s. Backed by a tight four-piece band at her sold-out New York City concert, Phair alternated such uptempo favorites as "F--- and Run" with the quieter, more textured tunes ("Perfect World") that make up her latest, and best, album.
It was as if rock had suddenly grown up: In a long slinky skirt, Phair, a svelte new mom, looked as if she had stepped out of Vogue. Her band members all wore suits, and her backup singer was dressed as if for a high-powered Hollywood cocktail party. Phair even joked that she was "about to go Celine" before beginning a ballad. Her past angry arrogance was replaced by a charming on-stage maturity. Mid-set, Phair stopped and said, "I feel so lucky that you all came out to see me," and it was clear that she meant it.
Most grownup, though, was the new music. While "Stratford-On-Guy" and other hits from Phair's career-making 1993 debut, "Exile in Guyville," won cheers, "Polyester Bride," "Uncle Alvarez," and other recent songs were musically more complex and lyrically more generous. Phair, who is notoriously performance shy, even seemed more comfortable singing them. As other thirtysomething rockers struggle to grow as musicians and human beings (Courtney, are you there?) it's a treat to see one who is managing to keep her potency even as she evolves.
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