Whitechocolatespaceegg

whitechocolatespaceegg is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Liz Phair, released in 1998 (See 1998 in music). The album didn't fare much better than its predecessor, Whip-Smart, and peaked at #35. It sold in the same league as her past records but not enough to qualify it as a hit, just consistent with her other records.

Album information

Unlike her previous two albums, which dealt heavily with themes of sex and relationships, whitechocolatespaceegg focused more on motherhood and family, as Phair had recently given birth to a son and was in the process of going through a divorce, which she later confirmed was partially due to an affair she had with another man. The record, of course, still stayed true to her past themes in songs like "Johnny FeelGood" and "Baby Got Going" and "Fantasize" among others. Overall, however, it reflects an introspective growth about adulthood and personal discovery.
Despite lackluster sales, the album received generally positive reviews. Rolling Stone called it "engagingly intimate" while at the same time "playful and pop-y, with just enough dry humor." The magazine also praised the album for its storytelling-esque lyrics. The Washington Times wrote that Phair had successfully proved she was "no longer an unbridled twentysomething but now, at 31, a wife and mother, [1] has grown as an artist as well as a woman."

Track listing

All songs written by Liz Phair, except where noted.

"White Chocolate Space Egg" (Jason Chasko, Liz Phair, Stoley) – 4:35
"Big Tall Man" (Chasko, Phair) – 3:49
"Perfect World" – 2:15
"Johnny Feelgood" – 3:22
"Polyester Bride" – 4:05
"Love Is Nothing" – 2:16
"Baby Got Going" (Scott Litt, Phair) – 2:02
"Uncle Alvarez" – 3:52
"Only Son" – 5:08
"Go on Ahead" – 2:53
"Headache" – 2:53
"Ride" – 3:04
"What Makes You Happy" – 3:36
"Fantasize" – 1:55
"Shitloads of Money" – 3:39
"Girls' Room" – 1:46
"Hurricane Cindy" – 2:51 (Import Release Only)

Samples

title="Headache"

Personnel

Liz Phair - guitar, piano, vocals
Leroy Bach - acoustic bass
Scott Bennett - organ, bass, drums
Bill Berry - bongos
Peter Buck - guitar
Jason Chasko - bass, guitar, piano, drums, background vocals
Nathan December - guitar, electric guitar
Tommy Furar - bass
John Hiler - organ, piano, keyboards, background vocals
Scott Litt - acoustic guitar, bass, harmonica, violin, drums, keyboards, background vocals
Scott McCaughey - guitar
Mike Mills - bass
Troy Niedhart - accordion
Ed Tinley - guitar, clapping
Randy Wilson - keyboards
Brad Wood - organ, bass, guitar, drums, keyboards, background vocals, clapping, drum machine

Production

Producers: Liz Phair, Jason Chasko, Scott Litt, Brad Wood
Engineers: John Hiler, Liquid Grooves, Chris Sabold, David Schiffman, Ed Tinley, Brad Wood
Assistant engineers: Victor Janacua, Matt Judah, Brad Kopplin, Julie Last, Chris Sabold, Al Sanderson, David Schiffman
Mixing: Victor Janacua, Tom Lord-Alge, Brad Wood
Mastering: Ted Jensen, Katrin Thomas
Programming: John Hiler, Randy Wilson
Loops: Liquid Grooves
Treatments: Scott Litt
Art direction: Liz Phair, Frank Longo, Jon Mathias, Mark O.

Charts

Album

Signed Music Artists