In 1993, Phair made her debut with Exile in Guyville, a lo-fi homage to the Rolling Stones' 1972 masterpiece, Exile on Main Street. But the singer-guitarist didn't enjoy mainstream success until she teamed up with Avril Lavigne's producers, started dressing a bit more like Britney Spears, and, in 2003, released Liz Phair. That CD infuriated some loyal Phair-ies, but their wrath didn't faze the 38-year-old mom, whose second pop release, Somebody's Miracle, came out in October. She recently took a break from the road to tell us about the music inspiring her now.

Gorillaz
Demon Days (Virgin)

"We use 'Feel Good Inc.' in our preshow music; it's a good motivator. The Gorillaz are dark in a funny, twisted way. They sound pretty fabulous, but they have this edge of darkness. I'm like that. Even when I'm doing something pop, you can find that edge. I like the way they animate themselves onstage and don't really interact with the crowd."

Stevie Wonder
Songs in the Key of Life (Motown)

"It's the first time since Exile on Main Street that a record has hit me like that. It's opened up a whole other world of what music could be to me. It's so inspirational. It brings me up when I'm down or on the road, wondering what I do my job for. I'm really into 'I Wish' and 'Ebony Eyes' right now."

Jack Johnson
In Between Dreams (Brush Fire Records)

"I like the stories he tells--you could pick any one of them--and the vibe reminds me of the West Coast. I live in Los Angeles and miss that mellow West Coast feeling when I'm out on the road, so I listen to Jack when I need to feel a little bit of home. The music is very centering and unpretentious."

Kanye West
Late Registration (Roc-a-Fella)

"He's all about feeling urban and right on the tip, so it also reminds me in a weird way of Moby, but it's different. They both have the same kind of soundscape feeling in the way vocals are used. Whenever I listen to Kanye West, I feel very connected to everyone else who is listening to him right now. It's that communal appreciation of an artist."

Dave Matthews Band
Stand Up (RCA)

"I didn't get these guys until I saw Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, with just acoustic guitars, hold down a sold-out Madison Square Garden. I've been trying to incorporate their live ethos into my performances. I like 'Old Dirt Hill (Bring That Beat Back),' about riding a bike to the railroad tracks and smoking. It's a great visual."