Somebody's Miracle

( 3 )

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Jem Aswad
Liz Phair's fans are pretty clearly divided into two camps: those who like her indie-centric early releases and those who prefer the more pop-oriented sounds of her 2003 self-titled album. Like its predecessor, Somebody's Miracle, finds Phair shooting pretty directly for Sheryl Crow territory, with lots of spit-shined mid-tempo songs featuring chiming chords, rootsy flourishes, and Jumbotron-sized hooks. But there's some odd, occasionally dark subject matter lurking in those sparkly-sounding songs, whether it's simply an unusual rhyme pairing "Look at you" with "ingénue" or a reference to some ill-fated "friends in rehab." The brightness begins to fade as the album ...
See more details below
Available through our Marketplace sellers.
See All Options
Other sellers (CD)
  • All (11) from $1.99   
  • New (2) from $14.99   
  • Used (9) from $1.99   
Close
Sort by
Page 1 of 1
Showing All
Note: Marketplace items are not eligible for any BN.com coupons and promotions
$14.99
DJ1STOP
Seller since 2011

Feedback rating:

(19)

Condition:

New — never opened or used in original packaging.

Like New — packaging may have been opened. A "Like New" item is suitable to give as a gift.

Very Good — may have minor signs of wear on packaging but item works perfectly and has no damage.

Good — item is in good condition but packaging may have signs of shelf wear/aging or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Acceptable — item is in working order but may show signs of wear such as scratches or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Used — An item that has been opened and may show signs of wear. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Refurbished — A used item that has been renewed or updated and verified to be in proper working condition. Not necessarily completed by the original manufacturer.

New
October 4, 2005 CD New in new packaging. Originally released: 2005. NEW FACTORY SEALED, EXCELLENT CONDITION, ORDER WILL BE SHIP IN BUBBLE PACK WITHIN 1-2 DAYS VIA USPS 1ST ... CLASS. CUT IN CASE. Read more Show Less

Ships from: South Pasadena, CA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$33.00
Lyric Vibes
Seller since 2010

Feedback rating:

(148)

Condition: New
AUDIO CD New 724357776929 NEW/SEALED & Perfect 4 Gift Giving-ADD TO CART ~~~ and Make Someone's Day a Special One: -)

Ships from: Geneva, IL

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
Page 1 of 1
Showing All
Close
Sort by

More About This Product

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Jem Aswad
Liz Phair's fans are pretty clearly divided into two camps: those who like her indie-centric early releases and those who prefer the more pop-oriented sounds of her 2003 self-titled album. Like its predecessor, Somebody's Miracle, finds Phair shooting pretty directly for Sheryl Crow territory, with lots of spit-shined mid-tempo songs featuring chiming chords, rootsy flourishes, and Jumbotron-sized hooks. But there's some odd, occasionally dark subject matter lurking in those sparkly-sounding songs, whether it's simply an unusual rhyme pairing "Look at you" with "ingénue" or a reference to some ill-fated "friends in rehab." The brightness begins to fade as the album progresses, and as on Phair's preceding album, there's one deeply serious song that will jolt listeners out of their reveries. Liz Phair's was "Little Digger" a touching song about a boy seeing his single mom going on a date, and this album's is the downright shocking "Table for One," a harrowing tale about a suburban alcoholic that reads like a short story "I want to die alone ... I want to bring down all those people who drank with me / Watching happily, my humiliation". The album perks up after that, with songs musically referencing the Stones and Big Star, offering ear candy for old fans. But more than anything else, Somebody's Miracle suggests that Phair the artist is still a work in progress: a whip-smart, still-maturing songwriter whose masterpiece may well be still to come.
All Music Guide - Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Liz Phair alienated a large portion of her audience with her 2003 extreme pop makeover, where she didn't just go pop, she went teen pop, collaborating with the Matrix and winding up sounding something like Avril Lavigne's aunt. It wasn't exactly what fans raised on Exile in Guyville either wanted or expected and they were vocal in their displeasure, yet Phair made it very clear in her supporting press for the album that she didn't care that they were upset: she was no longer the woman who made Exile, and had no interest in trying to write or sound that way anymore, which was pretty evident from the album at hand. She wanted to cash in that indie cred and become a star, and Liz Phair did indeed bring her success, including her first Top 40 hit with "Why Can't I?," which tended to diminish the sniping of her critics, even if it didn't necessarily dismiss their criticisms. Most of the criticisms were focused on the Matrix-fueled pop singles, since they were flashy, ostentatious examples of how Phair wanted to play on a bigger field, but apart from those singles, Liz Phair concentrated on tasteful, well-polished, sturdy adult alternative pop that was not dissimilar to work by such peers as Michael Penn and Aimee Mann. That, not the desperate teen pop, is the touchstone for Somebody's Miracle, her sequel to the 2003 affair. Now that she's made a clean break from indie rock, severing herself from her past to such an extent that she will never be judged alongside such 1993 peers as PJ Harvey, Tanya Donelly, and Stephen Malkmus, she's content to make a full-fledged, unabashed adult alternative album. If the last album was her attempt to be Avril, this is her Sheryl Crow album, pitched halfway between the bright surfaces of C'mon, C'mon and the laid-back, classy Globe Sessions. The smooth and polished production here creates a wash of sound that is not particularly well suited to Phair's thin, reedy voice, but since the album is well produced and professional, it's a pleasing wash of sound. And Phair has a pretty good batch of songs here, ranging from the stark first-person tale of alcoholism "Table for One" to catchy pop tunes like "Stars and Planets" and "Got My Own Thing." These are good adult pop tunes, although the pleasant Somebody's Miracle would have been improved if they had been given a more suitable production style.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • Release Date: 10/4/2005
  • Label: Capitol
  • UPC: 724357776929
  • Catalog Number: 77769

Album Credits

Performance Credits
Liz Phair Primary Artist, Guitar, Vocals, Background Vocals
Joel Derouin Concert Master
John Alagia Guitar, Keyboards, Hammond Organ, Hammond B3
Sean Hurley Bass
John Shanks Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Background Vocals
Oliver Kraus Cello
Joe Zook Tambourine
Tim Bradshaw Keyboards
Billy Mohler Bass, Acoustic Bass
Jeff Rothschild Drums
Dino Meneghin Acoustic Guitar, Guitar, Electric Guitar, Keyboards, Lap Steel Guitar, Hand Percussion
Aaron Sterling Percussion, Drums
Technical Credits
Liz Phair Composer
David Campbell String Arrangements
Ted Jensen Mastering
Brian Scheuble Engineer
John Alagia Producer, Vocal Arrangements, Audio Production
Lars Fox Engineer
John Shanks Composer, Producer, Audio Production
Joe Zook Producer, Engineer
Eric Roinestad Art Direction
Jeff Robinette Engineer
Jeff Rothschild Engineer
Dino Meneghin Producer, drum programming
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 3.5
( 3 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(1)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(2)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Liz Phair -Guilty Pleasure Trumps Bland Radio Rock

    Clever, witty,loaded with hooks. Make sure it's on the Ipod before you crank the key. Liz Phair's made this year's (and next year's) best album. Most critics are afraid to say it- she's still the best songwriter around. Don't let them fool you- she's the original guilty pleasure. Rock~Out/M*JOR~HOOKS. Don't wait for Liz to go underground again. You will be waiting a long time. (and sometimes she still plays dirty)

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 22, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 27, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews