I was surfing the internet when I found this. Take a look(no pun intended):

"I gave her what I thought would be cool arrangements for some songs," Yorn said. "Her new songs are great and totally cool. The new stuff is kind of a return to Exile in Guyville (1993)."

What the hell is that supposed to mean? Was there more to Liz Phair than we knew? You can check out the article here: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1450966/2...115/story.jhtml

I suppose that someone might have discovered this before. If that is the case, I apologize for my stupidity in republishing a sudden "discovery."

Well shit. The title didn't come out like I had wanted it to. Oops.

The work he's probably describing that sounded like Guyville we'll probably never get to hear, but it's probably similar to the comeandgetit material that was written around that time, too. I'm pretty sure it was rejected and shelved too. Her fourth album was supposed to come out in 2000, then 2001, then 2002... and it was called "An Evening With" but that never happened. Check out some of the Mesmerizing archives for info on it.

Here's more on Yorn's involvement:
Liz would continue to work on her album through out 2001. In the early part of 2001 liz would work with Producers and sound engineers such as Matt Mahaffey (Self), and Ken Andrews (Failure, ON). Some very preliminary work was also done with Brad Wood. However, it was made plain early on that the label would be very hands on regarding the production of the album and when asked about his possibly producing the new album, Wood state that Capitol had other plans as far was who would be helming the production. Through these connections she would come to work with Pete Yorn and R Walt Vincent on several tracks for possible inclusion on the album (foremost among these the song "HWC"). Liz and Pete Yorn had a common bond through their work with Brad Wood.

Pete Yorn:"I met Liz Phair through Brad Wood or her manager or Ken Andrews. I think it was Ken Andrews. Working with her was great her new songs were amazing. She's a really cool girl, and I can't wait to hear her new record. She was just looking for a place to record some stuff and she really liked what I did with Walt Vincent and Brad Wood, whom she worked with before and they're really close. She came down and Walt called and said, "Dude, get your ass down here. You're going to play on these demos." So I helped write out some of her new songs and played drums and guitar on a bunch of them and that was it. I gave her what I thought would be cool arrangements for some songs. They're really good songs, some of the best I've heard since Exile in Guyville."

Towards the end of 2001 Liz would bring in Michael Penn to produce some tracks for the album. Liz sought out Penn to help flesh out a number of songs she wrote with songwriter Gary Clark.

That makes me want to cry! I wish that we were able to hear that music! I don't know what to think - It's like, I get in this hyperactive kind of mode where I wonder what we could have heard or what she could have recorded and then it gets me excited for her new album, which will only be a let down because if Capitol didn't let her have the "Exile-ish" songs on her first mainstream album, why would they the second time around? I admit that I have not been a fan of Liz's all of my life. In fact, the first time I heard her, I thought "what an Avril Lavigne rip-off!" I soon after, with my best friend, discovered her older music, and each time I heard new things (those that were new to me,) it made me even more excited for more to uncover - like the demos for Whitechocolatespaceegg and so on. I still have hope for Liz, and it’s not the end result of being in that hyperactive mode. I think that Liz might still come off as a sell-out, but still might produce really good music. Take H.W.C. for example. Some people like the song, some people don’t, and some are “iffy.” The song had very explicit lyrics that were oddly appealing to a younger group of people – it’s something addicting… I just remember whenever I played the song for my friends (that and Flower,) they loved it and wanted to hear it again. Maybe Liz’s “Exile-ish” material was explicit and that’s what he was referring to (you know, Liz lyrics – the kind you don’t want to listen to when your mother is around and though it is blunt and some times harsh, it still has a meaning and truth behind every word.) That, my friends, gives me hope.

Now I’m all excited again. I promise not to take it out on the board. Lol.

I have a feeling that the 35-40 songs that were recorded for the record that got shelved before Liz went to go work with the Matrix are top notch and comeandgetit quality. There were only a handful of tracks from those sessions that made it onto the LP record like Firewalker, Love/Hate, and My Bionic Eyes.

Damn. Now I'll have to go sob somemore. Wait - Is there any way that anyone could get ahold of those songs?

Liz has said in various interviews that they're tied up with management a.ka. no.

I like to see what's JeremyEngle's opinion on this one.

Pete Yorn? He's a tool! What the hell does he know?

clear haha!

It is pretty sad to know that there is Liz material out there that we will never get to hear.

Happens with EVERY artist

Oh, of course. It's still sad to think about though.

Kidnapping is an option. I mean, she's telling us exactly where she's recording and when, and I haven't seen any ten-foot gorillas taking her bullets for her (like someone actually would kill her; no one even knows who she is!) Let's steal the '93-'94 demos! (Now that I've said that, rlew or Capitol will come after me.)

Maybe we could get a mole on the inside... Someone that might know her personally, someone that she would open up to. I know she wouldn't come right out and say "oh, by the way, my Exile In Guyville demos are sitting right there on top of that magazine... I have to go right now... Just make sure that you don't use that CD burner to make a copy of the demos! Have fun! Bye!"

Ha! Like that would happen.

Why hasn't someone written like the ultimate letter, one in which is so long and so packed with meaning, AND is twisted so intricately with reasons to love independent rock, that she suddenly returns to Guyville? I’m just talking out of my ass. I apologize.

Um, who is Allison, and who or what is reporting this news item?

Oh God! That's from Mesmerizing from like ... 1999. I was just enjoying the thought that maybe Liz's venture into the candy factory will soon lead to the glass elevator that takes her to Indie-land.

*sigh*

What are the exact rarities her fanbase is looking for? Anyone have a list of song titles? I am a collector of rarities(sorry, no Liz Phair), and I know quite a few people in the "trading underground". Someone post a list of songs, and I'll try and find them.

You guys are delusional if you think all these demos are sitting in some record company's vault. They are being hoarded by a small group of people. This happens with most bands music. People get access to some demos, rarities,etc., and instead of sharing with the world, they hoard it and try to get other rare items in return.

I cant guarantee I can come up with anything since I am not a Liz collector, have nothing of hers to trade, and dont know any hardcore fans of hers, but I know some collectors who will try and dig something up.

A collection of 20 to 30 songs or demos from her self titled recording sessions called the 4th Album Roughs. Supposedly, Capitol Records has these demos all locked up, copyrighted, and put away to use at their own discretion. Liz herself has mentioned in the past that she wished she could make ALL of her demos available on-line but that Capitol has put the kabash on that idea. Two songs I know she has mentioned from these sessions include "Working Man" and "Stop By". She mentioned "Stop By" in early press releases for "Somebody's Miracle" as being on the album. This tune, however, was not on the final version of SM. Very much appreciate you looking into this for us Liz Phair fans!

Interesting. I bet some of those will be released one of these days. But that could mean many years.

I think you're more optimistic than most.

Eh, I'm just saying that many artists, some decades from their prime careers, are still releasing rarities to this day. Just look at Bob Dylan. So even if it's 2025, I'd still think there's a shot Liz's unreleased cuts come out. Maybe now a great chance, but it could happen.

eh, you're still more optimistic than me

Need to target something like "Not in our lifetime".

I would have, but I was trying to be a little nice. No need to crush his spirit.

Actually a good plan is to not ever expect anything.

That way, you don't get disappointed, and perhaps, you get something unexpected--a good surprise.

Oh, wow. You just described one of my main theories in life.

It warms my heart that you're looking out for me.