One of modern rock's most cherished artists, credited with everything from Alanis Morissette to my love life, LIZ PHAIR returns triumphantly to the world of music with her first new music since 1994's half-million-selling Whip-Smart. whitechocolatespaceegg is at once her most interesting and assured record, full of all the candor, insight, and chunky riffage you've come to expect, along with some surprises.

Produced in separate but equal parts by Liz herself, Scott Litt (REM), and Brad Wood (the previous two Liz albums), whitechocolatespaceegg is something of a leap from the homespun intimacy of her other work. Its sweeping sound is fleshed out with liberal use of keyboards and organ, ranging from the sultry shimmy of the title track to "Polyester Bride," perhaps Liz's first perfect pop song. The lyrics, too, run the gamut from the conversational ramble for which she is perhaps best known ("What Makes You Happy") to a less literal, more oblique approach ("Big Tall Man"). Fans of her honest, brash sexuality will of course be thrilled by hits like "Johnny Feelgood" ("I never realized I was so dirty and dry/'Til he knocked me down, started dragging me around in the back of his convertible car/And I liked it"), while songs like "Perfect World" have a longing and delicacy which Liz has rarely afforded herself in the past.

LIZ PHAIR has been plenty busy in the four years since Whip-Smart, during which time she's seen the creative and commercial climate for female artists flourish under her influence. While in the past Liz has only toured sporadically, and even then often doing solo acoustic performances, she will be touring with a full band for this album, first on several Lilith Fair (Phair?) dates this summer (July 15 through mid-August 1998), then full international touring beginning in September 1998.

Other fan sites:

• LizPhair.com
• The Slick Divide
• I Spy A May Queen
• Gunshy: a Liz Phair Page
• Capital Records: Liz Phair
• Matador Records: Liz Phair