S3 Ep.36 Exile in Guyville by Liz Phair – Album Review

Exile in Guyville by Liz Phair – Album Review

Bill & Tony head back to the ‘90s to unpack Exile in Guyville, Liz Phair’s raw, fearless, and game-changing 1993 debut. Part confessional, part confrontation, and all attitude, this album shook up indie rock, challenged expectations, and made some guys in “Guyville” squirm.

Was this a track-by-track response to Exile on Main St. or something even bolder? How did a lo-fi demo from a Chicago bedroom become one of the most celebrated albums of the decade? And does this brutally honest record still hit as hard in 2025?

 

In this episode:

• Our personal memories of discovering Liz Phair
• A look at what else was happening in music and culture in ’93
• The making of Exile, 4-track tapes, Matador Records, and indie DIY energy
• Track-by-track breakdown and the Song Draft
• Final thoughts: Is Guyville still a must-listen?

🎙️ Candid, clever, and completely unfiltered, Liz Phair kicked the door open with Exile in Guyville, and we’re here to celebrate every gritty, glorious minute of it.

 

📱 Connect with Bill & Tony: Website: https://billandtonypod.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billandtonypod/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/BillandTonypod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billndtonypod Email: [email protected] | [email protected]

 

🎧 Listen to the album: Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/exile-in-guyville-2018-remaster/1589236833 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7sCpW2cLGcRk1zf9zi0Yqd

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B07BFKHYHW

 

🔗 Bonus Links for Liz Phair Fans:

1993 in History: https://www.history.com/a-year-in-history/1993

Exile in Guyville Album Page: https://www.lizphair.net/discography/albums/exile-in-guyville/

Pitchfork’s Review Retrospective: https://bit.ly/4kIRTo7

Liz Phair Look-Back Interview: https://bit.ly/3HirGyx

Girly Show: The History of Exile in Guyville: https://bit.ly/43NM4PM

The Story of Exile in Guyville: https://bit.ly/3SZHUyX