Alanis Morissette - Under Rug Swept

Pull the emotions...

Alanis' melodic turns are a thing of beauty. I've come to depend on her for melody with substance. So very glorious to my ears and my tears. May 21, 2008

the point of no return

this is where alanis was made herself no longer valid in the good music industry. April 2, 2008

Under Rug Swept

Some will say that Alannis is caught up in the fervor of lyrics and will sentence the fullness of "song" in this magnificent album to the gallows. But when put to test, the full force, words and music, of Flinch and Hands Clean as well as others on this album have to cause one to demand a re-run. Flinch has to be one of the finest songs of the period: pulsing with energy, caustic yet soothing; this song itself has to be the gem that completes the transition from Jagged Pill's subway high school diva to Central Park grown-up lover. I liken Under Rug Swept to the great album Four by Blues Travelor. Both of these become richer and more relevant as each playback completes. Listen to Alannis and to John Topper, they truly know the glory and tradegy of love in the modern world. September 14, 2007

Alanis' New Maturity Shows She Doesn't Need to "Lash Out"

When i first heard Alanis Morissette, it was in 1995 when "You Oughta Know" played on the radio. My first reaction to Morissette and "You Oughta Know" was not positive - it was "what is this, why is this woman so angry, and what is this chip on her shoulder?" Most of the "bubble gum" and synth-pop of the 1980s was beginning to fade, yet Morissette's anger just seemed too raw for me to absorb at the time. However as the subsequent singles from Morissette's "Jagged Little Pill" album were released, I soon began to see more than an angry young woman. When I listened to "Jagged Little Pill" in its entirety, I realized that this album lived up to all of the hype. Not only did this album garner critical acclaim, but it was one of the best selling albums of all-time. When there is a monster album, expectations are usually through the roof for a follow-up album, and while Morissette's "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie" was still a very good album and sold well, many considered it a disappointment. Artists that usually have a "sophomore" slump have a difficult time with their third album sales. Morissette's third effort, "Under Rug Swept" wouldn't sell as well as "Jagged Little Pill", but from a quality standpoint, it would not disappoint.

When one produces a legendary album like "Jagged Little Pill", one faces a crossroads - "play it safe and do the same thing" or "explore new avenues". To Morissette's credit, she changed her act with "Junkie" as she made a more personal and "darker" sounding experimental album that instead of angst took a more reconciliatory tone. With "Under Rug Swept", the tone reflects Alanis' maturity as she takes a more "diplomatic" way to lash out her anger.

There are three big changes to note on this album. This is the first album without her producer Glen Ballard. Ballard served as Morissette's songwriter and producer on the first two albums. Now Morissette takes production and songwriting into her own hands - in other words, assuming complete control. Sometimes an artist needs an outsider to serve as a "devil's advocate". While Morissette does a very good job in her new "solo" duties, I think this album could have benefited from Ballard playing "devil's advocate".

The second change has to do with Morissette's voice. The raspy and screeching voice found on "Jagged Little Pill" is all but gone - again reflecting maturity by Morissette. The third change is that Morissette drops her trademark harmonica for "Under Rug Swept", but she continues to pick up more instrumentation as she did on "Junkie" - this time the guitar.

Here is a quick synopsis of the tracks:

"21 Things That I Want in a Lover": This song reflects Alanis' maturity in the way she "lashes out" by describing 'not necessarily needs but qualities that I prefer' in her lover. This track contains some excellent guitar work.

"Narcissus": Flea has a guest appearance playing bass, but I wouldn't say this is a song that gives a legendary bassist like Flea a chance to shine. This track has Morissette demonstrating the vocal ranges found on "Jagged Little Pill". This song also shows maturity in the way Morissette "lashes out".

"Hands Clean": Awesome track. Morissette's vocals are the driving force of this track. Her vocals allow here to deliver a song that seems personal. The song seems to chronicle a relationship Morissette had with an older man. Apparently the relationship needed to be kept quiet.

"Flinch": A softer song, once again Morissette takes her vocals and makes them the driving force. Her vocals are passionate and not raspy and that is what it needs to deliver the message. In this song Morissette faced losing a lover, but once again doesn't "lash out" like she did on her "Jagged Little Pill" days. Great track

"So Unsexy": Another great track. Alanis faces rejection again on this track and with her maturity, she once again doesn't "lash out". While this is a "slower" track, there is some terrific hard guitar in this song. Morissette's vocals once again deliver a passionate message.

"Precious Illusions": This song opens with more of the Indian music influence that Morissette incorporated on "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie". This is another terrific track. Morissette shows her maturity referring to "The Ring" and "The Pill" on this track yet talks about those long-lasting effects of her "precious illusions" she had as a kid.

"That Particular Time": A very slow track, it gives Morissette a chance to shine. Morissette describes another relationship that didn't work. Once again, Morissette doesn't lash out, but deals with things in a more conciliatory tone

"A Man": This song also has a bit of an Indian influence. From the title, Morissette sings this song from the perspective of someone who is a man - describing the emotions a man might feel.

"You Owe Me Nothing in Return": This song has a bit of a R&B/funk feel to it. Morissette takes her conciliatory tone as she sings lines such as "you can also for space for yourself and only yourself and I will grant it".

"Surrendering": This is the best track of the collection. This track also has a bit of a funk groove to it. This song is almost the antithesis of "Jagged Little Pill's " "Not the Doctor". "Not the Doctor" dealt with Alanis' frustration with a weaker man. On this track, Alanis seems impressed with the man who has it all together. Alanis' vocals are awesome.

"Utopia": A folk-like song. Alanis sings about her vision of "Utopia". The instrumentation provides the power on this song. Alanis sings in a higher octave giving this song a good feel.

The liner notes include all of the lyrics . This album isn't like "Jagged Little Pill", but that doesn't mean it was a bad album. In fact this album deserved Album of the Year consideration in 2002. I'd highly recommend it.


August 4, 2007

Perfect For Repelling Rodents (or anyone for that matter)

This will be quick and painless. I intensely disliked this compendium of rants, Miss Morissette was clearly having a creative ebb. I own her other CD's, and can't quite understand what happened here. Just listen to the samples available here on Amazon and decide for yourself. P U! I threw it away. July 29, 2007

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