“When “Exile in Guyville” was released in 1993, its lo-fi sound and frank lyrics about female sexuality and desire were seen by many as revolutionary. Fifteen years later, the pendulum has swung so far the other way that ditties about oral sex and girls kissing girls top the pop chart and can be heard while shopping at the drugstore. But “Guyville” stands the test of time simply because, while the shock value might have diminished, the intelligence and soulfulness with which Liz Phair sings about these topics remains unparalleled. The rerelease contains three bonus tracks; only one of them, the mournful “Ant in Alaska,” is worth multiple listens. Phair also took it upon herself to “return to Guyville” and make a movie about it; while there are some funny moments on the DVD (”rouge-ing” nipples, anyone?), most of it seems extraneous. Most of the time, you just shouldn’t mess with perfection. —Cortney Harding”
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