Alltime Favorite Albums Week: Part 1 of 4, 1993-1994

Liz Phair - Exile in Guyville, 1993 (Amazon / Insound)
I remember listening to blow job song “Flower” at 14 or 15 & thinking, “Holy shit what is this?” And though I may to an extent be romanticizing memories now, I’m pretty sure Exile in Guyville played a huge part in my “becoming a woman”— like in figuring out what that meant to me, and feeling empowered to express myself in my own unique ways, as she had. Plus, I fondly remember one angsty day me & high school best friend Cait stomped down her street singing “Fuck and Run” in giant hoodies and Airwalk sneakers (there’s a photo somewhere, and it’s so cute/not cute). Also, at 1.5 minutes, “Glory” was perfect to end mix tapes with only a little time left.


Portishead - Dummy, 1994 (Amazon / Insound)
God it’s so hilariously endearing to recall now, but yeah, I distinctly remember getting dressed to Dummy in my teenage bedroom & thinking some of my first super-sexy thoughts. And damn, still— put “Glory Box” or “Strangers” or virtually any track from this album on & try telling me your head’s not swimming with impure thoughts pretty instantly. It made my year when Portishead returned with Third in 08, which I also loved. And, in other adorably teenaged trivia— one of my favorite movies back then was comic-based “Tank Girl,” partially for its soundtrack which included “Roads.”


Elliott Smith - Roman Candle, 1994 (Amazon / Insound)
Roman Candle was my key to falling asleep freshman year of college. Its melodies are so subtle & lovely— I’d slide into bed with headphones on, my finger readied to press “stop” on the portable CD player tucked under my pillow when I’d finally manage to drift off. My old zine “Sparrow” was almost titled “Quiet Terror News” after a line in “Condor Ave” I fell in love with one sleepless night, even. I haven’t tapped Roman Candle for its lullaby qualities lately, but I still put it on when I need something quietly sad & thoughtful-sounding to write fiction to.



I’m posting these sentiment-based reviews all week, in order of release date, as part of Alltime Favorite Albums Week, which I’m also hosting. Please free to join in on your own site!