Fountains of Wayne were the next band up to the plate, as an even larger crowd started to settle in expecting to hear a fantastic finish from Phair. Most of the crowd probably would have been satisfied if the FOW boys' played a 45-minute set of just “Stacy's Mom”, but the band ventured deep into their musical talent putting on a great show with the help of lead guitarist Jody Porter.

After a quick 20-minute break, Phair took the stage to a standing ovation, which quickly settled as Phair seemed slightly off key from the very beginning. I personally have always been a Liz Phair fan - partly because she is damn FINE and partly because I enjoy her music - so, I didn't have that many issues with the set. In fact, I was impressed with her stage presence and interaction with the crowd, features that had been hidden in the past with her public battle with stage fright. One of the more humorous situations was built from a connection between the sign language interpreter and Phair, as Phair said, “I know a little sign language,” going on to sign the symbols for her popular song “Fuck and Run.” And then watching the interpreter sign the song provided me with plenty of entertainment.

However, the more people I talked to about her set, the more I felt as if she really did disappoint.

“She was crap. If I were writing the review I would have given her zero stars,” said one music fan.

“She just didn't have it tonight. She seemed off key,” said another.

Taste of Chicago did do the right thing in closing out the last Saturday of the Taste with a local favorite who built her success off the 1993 debut, “Exile in Guyville”, but Phair did fail to excite the crowd - or rather meet their expectations.

The good news is that Phair will have another opportunity - as she still calls Chicago her home, despite living in sunny Cali.

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