It’s hard to believe 15 years have come and gone since Liz Phair and Sara McLachlan released their ambitious and genre bridging masterpieces of 1993, Exile in Guyville and Fumbling Towards Ecstasy.
Liz Phair’s Exile flew under the radar without any hit singles other than the mildly received “Never Said,” while McLachlan’s Ecstasy was a success both critically and commercially due to the popularity of its opener, “Possession.”
Now in 2008, both albums get their just due as groundbreaking works in 15th anniversary reissues. The two albums come remastered, of course; and Phair’s comes with a bonus DVD with rare Phair interviews. McLachlan’s comes packaged with the Freedom Sessions live album included as well as a DVD of rare performances.
These two unique albums blur the lines of alternative and pop. Phair attempted Exile to serve as a mirror of what the Rolling Stones epic Exile on Mainstreet would be from a female perspective. The resulting album is a bold, suggestive, often explicit statement of what it’s like to be on the losing end of relationships.
McLachlan’s Ecstasy is a disparate affair, but not necessarily in theme. Longing and loss resound in the gorgeous melodies of Ecstasy. 15 years later, huh? Popular music has never sounded better.
Read Also
Tweet
