Just as the music of the early '90s started becoming too centered on men in flannel shirts from Seattle, a husky, girlish voice rising from a Chicago apartment made itself heard on its own terms. Liz Phair came out of nowhere and gave rise to the female side of this new music era.

Though Exile In Guyville isn't the cornerstone of any revolution, it is a monumental album nonetheless. It's an intricate character sketch, an exploration of the personality, emotions, and verve of an intelligent '90s woman. Phair's art is her expression, that which can turn a gut feeling or a journal entry into something universally poignant. In a beautifully lo-fi musical setting, Exile is easily the most insightful record about relationships this decade.